AMATEUR riders flocked to Cavan Equestrian last weekend to contest the Amateur Championships. Along with a selection of competitive classes, the amateur champion rider was crowned and, this year, it was Kerrie Anderson and Queenie who secured the title.

The 90cm Welcome Stakes started the proceedings, with 48 combinations battling it out. Claiming victory was Sportsmember Ellie Ward, when she delivered the fastest clear in 25.87 aboard Ardnaglass Lizzy.

Young rider Colleen Moffett and Paw Prince were fractions behind, delivering a clear in 25.99 for second. Junior rider Lauren Kavanagh and Baxters Miss Taison took third, when clear in 26.47, ahead of Pauline Burke and Dangher, who was also clear, but in a slower time of 27.02 for eventual fourth. Fifth place belonged to Joseph Moore and Our Rags to Riches (28.21), ahead of Hannah McCrory and Killedmond Silver (29.40).

Speed class

Winner of the AA Cladem Equi Table C Speed, which was the final of the Orchard NAPS league was Lisa Doyle. Riding Corland’s Clipper, she came home clear in 50.47. Doyle was chased home by Hannah Houlihan and Fantastico C, when they kept all the poles in place in 50.47. A clear from Niamh McFall and Bay of Biscay in 52.02 saw them take third, ahead of Nicole Lynch and My Velvet Lady, clear in 53.21. Slotting into fifth place was Caroline Ryan and Killerisk Conor, clear in 53.56, ahead of Colm Fitzpatrick and Maretto Flight, clear in 53.61.

In the A section, 53 went to post and, with riders up for the challenge, 49 delivered clear rounds. Taking the win was Sophie McKeen and the seven-year-old Pinecroft Kamiro, when they stopped the clock in a time of 49.27. Danielle Logan took the runner-up spot, when they clocked 52.45, ahead of Niall Hughes and Perle Fine, in 53.33. Fourth place belonged to Rachel Shaw and Leestone Vitaire, in 55.22, while in fifth was Alex Butler and Ringfort Rubys Cruise, in 55.45. A clear from Cormac O’Hara and Sunny Diamond in 55.79 saw them complete the line-up.

After a competitive season, it was Kerrie Anderson and Bernadette Lady H that claimed the league, while in second was Stephanie Forde. Third in the league was Nathan Kenny and Lachain Princess.

Sophie Mckeen and Pinecroft Kamiro and Nicole Fox riding Bluestones Ludo were the indoor derby winners at the Amateur Championships at Cavan \ Paul Henson jumpinaction.net

Indoor Derby

Winner of the A Section of the Schockemohle Indoor Derby was junior rider Sophie McKeen and Pinecroft Kamiro. Out of a large start list of 63, McKeen partnered the seven-year-old to a clear in 30.23 seconds. A further seven delivered clears in what is always one of the most exciting classes in the Championships. Edwina O’Connor and Ashwood Reggie took second place, when they clocked 31.19. Carole Smillie and Larkhill Countess took third, when they cantered home in 31.88, while in fourth was Fiona Tansey in a time of 33.17. Fifth place was filled by Angela Devaney and Cobra Khan, in 35.93, while in sixth was Siobhan O’Dowd and Knockmullen Varo in 36.54.

Junior success

In the AA section, it was another win for junior riders, as Nicole Fox and Bluestones Ludo took the win, when fastest of eight double clears in 29.05. It was an extremely close class, with the top four riders coming home in under 30 seconds. Karen Broderick was fractions of a second behind with Earl Greys Last Cruise in 29.30.

Colm Fitzpatrick was back in the line-up taking third with Maretto Flight, stopping the clock in 29.45. Taking fourth place was Gwyn Yemm and Doonini Z, ina time of 29.55. Brian Cassidy followed closely behind with Looks Easy in 30.12 for fifth, while in sixth was Tara Brandon and IceCream VDT in a time of 30.17.