THE Mullingar Easter Horse Festival also played host to the inaugural SJI Summer Series qualifiers. As anticipated, there were large entries of the classes, ranging from the 90cm up to 1.30m. In total there was over 300 entries recorded between the five divisions.

Leading the victory lap in the 90cm qualifier was Dublin rider Laura Carrick after she delivered the fastest clear with My Foxy Lass in a time of 32.66 seconds. Carrick is registered as a sports member which was a new initiative of the SJI to allow riders jump up to one metre at a reduced cost.

Taking the runner-up spot was amateur rider (AA) Jacqueline Murphy and the five-year-old DHF Xanadu, clear in 33.38, while in third was fellow amateur rider (A) Avril Mackarel (Sheeba III), clear in 33.53. A foot-perfect performance a time of 33.77 from junior rider Sinead McKeon and Cobid Rio saw them take fourth place, ahead of Emma Jackson and the four-year-old Rockrimmon Legacy in 49.13. Completing the top six was sports member John Gavin and Holywell Contender, who came home clear in 49.45.

Taking the win in the 1m division was Kildare young rider Emily Crawford and LGS Safari, who were fastest of 23 double clears in a time of 27.59. Crawford was chased home by Tom Hearne and Emoe Marley who stopped the clock in 28.79. Slotting into third place was Megan Browne and Thorton Chester (29.19).

Children on Horses rider Jack Murphy wasted no time with Sam Salad and crossed the line in 32.17 for eventual fourth. Fifth place belonged to junior rider Nathalie Svärd and Oh Me Oh My N, in 32.90, ahead of fellow junior Sunnibhe Stassin and RNH Factor One, clear in 34.13.

It was a good outing for Emily Crawford as she also claimed victory in the 1.10m qualifier with LGS Safari, fastest of 40 double clears in 31.38 from a starting field of 102. Fellow young rider, Amy McLaughlin came closest to catching the winner with Rhonda after they clocked 33.12.

Ellen Murphy and Cidam K took third place when clear in 33.82, while young rider Linnea Olsson and Ninparo accounted for fourth place in the line-up, clear in 34.10. Amateur rider (AA) Lisa Hitchmough and Manija slotted into fifth place when she kept all the poles in place in 34.62, while in sixth was fellow amateur rider (A) Joseph Moore and Michael Murphy`s Master De Reve, clear in 35.14.

Quality win

In the 1.20m, 72 combinations went to post and with riders up for the challenge, 34 delivered double clears. Of the top six, three places were filled by young riders. Claiming victory was young rider Trudie Hermione McCoosh and TMSH Quality Assured clear in 31.61. Young Kilkenny rider Emily Moloney and Capitol Cruis took the runner-up spot, clear in 36.06, ahead of Megan McGettigan and Tullabeg Jackson, just fractions behind in 36.93. Accounting for eventual fourth was Aine Shortall and Killerisk Can Ya, clear in 37.63 while in fifth was Dairine O’Connor and Hollypark Lancelot 37.71. Completing the top six was Ethen Ahearne and LVS Goldrush H, almost a second behind in 38.66.

Cruis control

Placed second in the 1.20m, Emily Moloney upped the ante to claim the victory in the 1.30m. Riding the Ian Smyth-owned Capitol Cruis, she came home fastest of the nine double clears in a time of 39.57. Fellow young rider, Bridin Doyle and Boleybawn Rigaletto left nothing to spare as they came home in 42.33 for second. Local rider Robert Harrison and Drumankin Ezra slotted into third place when clear in 43.09, while in fourth was young rider Isabel O’Brien and Highcross Violet, clear in 43.94. Young Wexford rider Maisie Adams and Quina DW took fifth place, when she kept all the poles in place in 45.04, ahead of Damien Griffin and Kinmar Candy Hero, clear in 45.16.