A POPULAR class on the schedule at the Cavan Indoor Championships was Saturday evening’s €3,000 1.35m Ailish Connolly Memorial Grand Prix, held in memory of the show jumper who sadly lost her life in February 2022.

A huge startlist of 73 combinations lined out and claiming the win was Mayo’s Shane Goggins riding Boleybawn Cayman when they posting the winning clear round against the clock in 33.71. Owned by Jack Goaley and bred by Ronan Rothwell, the 11-year-old gelding is by Cassidee out of the Ard VDL Douglas-sired Boleybawn Riverto.

Goggins’ closest rival was young rider Matthew Morrison who also kept the poles in place with Peter Morrison’s Rivendell Chancellor (Clintord x Calido), albeit in a slower time of 35.92.

Rachel Chapman and OS Pouilly Fusse answered all the questions in a time of 39.95 for third place. Owned by Chapman and bred by Oakingham Farm and Stud, the nine-year-old mare is by Peppermill out of the Perigueux-sired Pepita.

Cian Harrison took another share of the prize fund when slotting into fourth place with his own Destina Du Mesnil Z, last of the double clears in 41.29. Bred by A Geesink, this 12-year-old Zangersheide mare is by Dobel van’t Zorgvliet.

Young rider Sean Dooley was fastest of the four faulters aboard Indie Girl (Ballintogher Leo x Quabri De Laleu) in a time of 35.56 for fifth place. The 11-year-old mare is owned by Fergus Dooley and bred by John Joe Collier.

Darren Irwin also put in a very fast round with Trebra Premier Douglas, clocking 37.20, but it cost him dearly as he had one on the ground and had to settle for sixth place in the line-up.