ACTION in the National classes at Balmoral International CSI2* began last Wednesday with the 1.20m - The Bluefrog five-year-old Championship, with 20 combinations going to post. The jump-off course proved inviting, with time being made up on the turn backs. The course started off with the first part of the double at four and then on to the vertical at 14. Riders could then make up time on the left turn back to fence six. The course ended with the double at fence eight and then left to the last two remaining fences.

Claiming victory was Olivia Roulston and Drumrankin Ebony, when they were fastest of seven double clears in a time of 42.84 seconds. Owned and bred by Vincent Burton, the mare is by Concorde and out of the Marcuzzi-sired dam, Drumrankin Ruby. Roulston was chased home by Niamh O’Connor Barry, who finished fractions behind with Grennanstown Silver Service in a time of 43.01. Slotting into third place was Ricardo Cunha and SDF Five Star after they stopped the clock in a time of 44.01. A clear from Ronald Morton and Blueoak Parker in a time of 44.52 saw them slot into fourth place.

Fifth place belonged to Megan McGettigan and Lenamore Belter, when they came home in a time of 45.17. Completing the top six was Amanda Goldsbury on Cooley on Fire, when they galloped home in a time of 45.95.

Six- and seven-year-olds

Just 17 combinations contested the proceeding Spillers six- and seven-year-old Championship. It was another competitive class, with six booking their place against the clock. Leading the victory lap when fastest of three double clears was Brendan Murphy and Roger De Mariposa, stopping the clock in a time of 41.10. Owned by Thomas Foley and bred by Koen and Alexander De Brabander, the Belgian Warmblood gelding is by Vegabond De La Pomme and is out of the Air Jordan Z-sired dam, Angela Z. Claiming the runner-up spot was Sophie Richards with Monbeg Balou in a time of 43.74. Last of the double clears and slotting into third place was Alyssa O’Neill and DS Candescent in a time of 48.18. Olivia Roulston was back in the ribbons taking fourth place with Louieland, when she had one on the ground in a time of 39.83. Ben Walsh also proved out of luck with one on the floor with Adastra Milo in a time of 46.09 for fifth place. Olivia Roulston took another share of the prize fund, this time with Drumrankin Dignity, when she finished on eight faults in a time of 47.97.

1.35m Championship

Winner of The Orthoderm 1.35m Championship was Kilkenny rider Eddie Moloney. Riding Damma Kannan Supreme, Moloney lodged the winning round of clear in 38.02 in a five-way jump-off.

Owned and bred by Niall Green, the gelding is by Kannan and out of the Camiro De Haar Z-sired dam, Tonagh Trip the Lights. Kian Dore delivered the only other clear of the class with Hermies VH Bergerhof Z in 39.10 for second. Ellie Humphries put in a gallant attempt with Jalandra, but four faults in a time of 40.77 saw them take third place. Ben Walsh and Dallas T also finished on four faults, but in a slower time of 43.43 for fourth. Jonathan Smyth put in the fastest round with Deloughtane Matoaka of 37.09, but it came at a price as he finished on eight faults and, as a result, had to contend with fifth place. Dylan Ward failed to make the jump-off with Kruser DHH when incurring a single time fault, (85.71). This round, however, proved good enough for sixth place.

Amateur Championship

On Saturday, amateur riders got their chance to take home the Botanica International Championship Crown. Of the 24 combinations, eight double clears were delivered in what was a very exciting class. Winner in the Mervue Leinster Summer Tour last week, Aileen McDermott [AA] was back in the winnings, as she delivered the winning round with Amber Balou in a time of 33.75. Following closely behind was Caitlin Duffy [AA] and Jockeyhall Midas Touch in a time of 34.12. Slotting into third place was Louise Craig [AA] and Cherry Wine in a time of 35.13. Best of the A category riders was Danielle Logan and Demero in a time of 35.65 for eventual fourth. Fellow [A] rider Egle Zakaraite, accounted for fifth place, when they stopped the clock in a time of 35.76 aboard Talbot Siss ahead of Niall Hughes [A] and CES Seamanchip, in a time of 37.26.

Under 10s Championship

One of the most exciting classes of the show, The Karlswood Under 10s Championship, took centre stage on Saturday afternoon. It was an Ulster win as Tim Morton and Dutch Lady galloped home with nothing to add in a time of 32.59. Kilkenny rider Harvey Oscar Foley was narrowly beaten, when he lodged a clear with The Silver Legend in 32.64. Third place belonged to Ulster rider Caitie McEvoy and Tynnan Tuttle Pip, when they kept all the poles in place in 36 seconds. It was well worth the journey from Connaught for Jack Rush, as he delivered a clear with Dromore Hill Boy in 37.08 for eventual fourth. Leinster rider Julia Sheehan and Pineview Bo took fifth when clear in 38.11, while in sixth was Ulster rider Louie O’Keeffe and Antigua Aoibheann, clear in 38.63.