FOLLOWING three busy days of qualifiers at Cavan Indoor Championships, the weekend’s jumping continued in the same vein with top class show jumping in the accumulation of nail-biting finals over the course of the weekend.

A firm favourite with spectators, the 1.35m jump-off class on Friday evening saw 63 combinations go to post for the €2,500 prize fund. Out of the original starters, 17 booked their place against the clock and eight delivered double clear rounds.

As expected, it was a competitive class with the top six all coming home within 38 seconds. Of the six in the final line-up, three were young riders. Taking the win, and with it almost €800, was Australian rider Jake Hunter who went on to win Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Riding the Sandra Duffy/Ireland Horse Sport and Leisure Ltd’s SFS Mirage, he was the fastest of eight double clears in the jump-off in a time of 32.82. Hunter also claimed victory in Thursday’s 1.35m Table A speed aboard Killerisk Jarezzo T, beating his closest rival Seamus Hennessy and King Louis AE.

Clem McMahon was fractions behind with Athea Clover Trend, crossing the line in a time of 33.14. Owned by Derry Kingston and bred by John Joe Tierney, the 10-year-old gelding is by Future Trend and out of Athea Clover breeze.

Junior rider Katie Nallon was just over a second behind aboard Javas True Colours in a time of 34.66. Owned by Katie’s mum Sandra this experienced mare is by Luidam out of Javas Purple Rain.

National young rider champion Robyn Moran followed closely behind with Cushlas Fryday, crossing the line in a time of 34.69. Owned by Vera Griffin and bred by John Peter Finlay, the nine-year-old gelding is by Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve.

Fellow young rider Jodie Creighton and the eight-year-old Gortacar Suspicious Minds 005, also put in a very fast round, stopping the clock in 35.36. Owned by Gortacar Stablse and bred by Ralph Morgan, the gelding is by OBOS Quality 004.

A clear from Elaine O’Neill aboard the Keith Ennis-owned Olympic ‘GL’ ‘FVD’ in 37.72 saw them take sixth place in the line-up. Bred by Francois Van Duffel, the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding is by Galisco Van Paemel.

1.25m Table A Speed

Winner of the 1.25m Table A Speed on Friday was Denise Hopkins aboard John Carey’s seven-year-old MD Sandyhill Princess Mia when the pair went clear in a time of 65.32.

Junior rider Annie Gibson and Hollywood accounted for the runner-up spot when they answered all the questions in a time of 68.52.

Slotting into third place was Emma Jackson and the eight-year-old Vanderbitt, clear in 69.51, ahead of junior rider Harrison Blair and Killadeas, who was clear in 70.17.

Blair also accounted for fifth place when she put in a foot perfect round with BP Eur A Star in a time of 70.38.

Completing the top six line-up was Jake Hunter and the Sandra Duffy-owned seven-year-old Arctic Monkey IIG, clear in 71.41.