The 128 National Championship saw the 7 - 12 year olds compete in the most prestigious spot on the schedule this year!

With the new format for the Meydan FEI Nations Cup, there was an approximate 2 hour gap between round one and round two.

The organisers gave this precious spot to the youngest competitors of the show and they excelled themselves, showing the world what the future of Irish showjumping looks like - and it looks in excellent shape judging by the 14 youngsters who took to the arena to jump the 1.10m Tom Holden (International Course Designer) track in front of a capacity crowd who stayed to watch the littles super stars!

The fourteen competitors who lined up for starters orders today have been through 6 qualifying round to get to the final, with four being well before the show and two held at Dublin Horse Show - so what we saw were the best in the country - and there is no question some of these names will, in the future be called as Irish representatives for the Aga Khan team.
The first round produced eight clear rounds - first to set the standard over the jump off was trail blazer Killian Norris and the Marna Garner owned Peppino II Grande - pictured below left - and they had the start all riders dread - the first fence feel and as this combination came through the finish flags they had four faults in 37.15sec.
Fionn Clarke and the seriously gorgeous pony Alloy - pictured below - , owned by Jane Clarke and they took on the course, looking for a clear round and weren't too concerned about a fast round - and that is exactly what this stylish young lady did - she jumped a clear round in the very beatable time of 53.49secs, but to beat Fionn the other riders had to leave everything standing!
Third out was another young lady, Ellen Sweetnam and the 10 year old gelding The Little Hero - pictured below - were going great guns until the third last fence fell to leave them with four faults in an amazing time of 35.81secs

So at the half way mark, Fionn Clarke was holding her lead as the only clear jump off round.

Fourth out, Lucy Latta and Glenkeen Irish Pride - pictured below - didn't have the best start when the second fence fell, but with it being the only fence this combination had they finished with 4 faults in 40.88secs.
Joshua Rowe and Star Spangled Banner - pictured below - were jumping an incredibly fast round which looked like it was going to take the lead, until the elimination bell rang, when Josh missed fence five completely. Not the way you want to leave the Main Arena at Dublin but I would say it is guaranteed that this young man won't make that mistake again.
Tim MacDonagh was number six under starters orders, with Michael MacDonagh's Wohld Copper - pictured below - and they fairly flew around the course looking like they were going to take the lead from Fionn - and that was all on target until the dreaded last fence fell, leaving them with four faults in a super time of 34.29 secs.
Two to go and Fionn is still holding the lead!

Kerry McIvor and Mickybo - pictured below - came through the start flags with her intention clear - the pedal was to the floor and she roared around the track in a brilliant style which was careful, controlled and well ridden coming through the finish flags with everything in place and a time which equalled Tim MacDonagh - 34.29secs but with everything standing as Tom Holden left it this put them firmly into the lead by some 19.2 secs.

The crowd went wild as this round was happening and the cheering when they came through the finish flags was almost deafening - the filled stands knew they had just seen a very intelligent and brilliantly ridden jump off and now wondered whether last to go, Gavin Conlon could take up the challenge and knock Kerry out of first position!

But things went wrong for young Gavin when his pony, Midget On A Mission - pictured below - crashed to a grinding halt at the second fence giving them a refusal and then on representing the rail fell, leaving this combination with 8 faults in 57.17secs and the win belonged to Kerry McIvor!
The class was commentated on by Irish commentator, Brendan McArdle - pictured below - and he quite obviously enjoys this job!
Final placings - 128cm National Championships

Champion: Kerry McIvor - C/C - 34.29 secs
Runner up: Fionn Clarke - C/C - 53.49 secs

3rd - Tim MacDonagh - C/4 - 34.29secs
4th - Ellen Sweetnam - C/4 - 35.81 secs
5th - Killian Norris - C/4 - 37.15 secs
6th - Lucy Latta - C/4 - 40.88 secs
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