The Young Rider Grand Prix proved to be quite difficult and the final result was the proof of this when after 17 combinations had gone through the start flags only one combination went through with no jumping faults and no time penalties!

The winner of this class was Dominique O'Halloran and his mothers 7 year old mare, Jalousie Louvo with superb jumping all the way. Dominique won this event in 2001 with Charles Hanley's stallion My Sky Diamond so he is no new comer to the winners circle at the South County Dublin Junior Hunt Horse Show. Dominque's mother, Phyl was telling me after Dominique's win how thrilled they were as for the first time in many years they have not qualified a horse due to Dominique's University commitment where he has completed first year Law - and so Phyl says this win "almost made up for not going to Dublin" which shows the regard in which this show is held!

Pictured above right we see Dominque at presentation which was done by Shonagh Choong on behalf of the Choong family. Dominique was presented with the Maresa Choong Perpetual Trophy which honours Shonagh's sister Maresa who was tragically taken too young. In 2000 this Perpetual Trophy moved to the South County Dublin Junior Hunt Horse Show after Stepaside Show closed and it has been awarded there since.

Pictured left Shonagh (in pink) with her mother Toni.

Pictured below is Sarah Kate Quinlivan and Eye Queue who took second placing as the fastest 4 faulter in the first round.

The greys certainly dominated the minor places as our photos below show!
Far left: James Hogg and Aaron took 3rd place.

Left: Robbie Splaine, son of Irish International rider, Robert Splaine took 4th position riding
Coolcorron Willow and they were another of the fast four faulters. Fifth position went to Lucy Buchanan and Northon (pictured below left) and 6th place went to possibly the unluckiest rider of the class as he was on track for a clear round,jumping super until he was struck down with LFS - and Greg Broderick and Colourhill Also (pardon if the spelling of this is incorrect) dropping the final fence after going for a careful clear took 6th place in the final lineup.(pictured below centre)
Above right is the smiling face of Senior National Course Designer, Killian Clarke who built in ring two for the Young Riders and Junior Riders in Ring Two on Saturday.

Ireland's best were on hand to watch the classes today and Paul Darragh might have retired from showjumping but I doubt he can ever get it out of his blood - he was too much of a champion to stay away!

Pictured right is Ireland's greatest Lady Showjumper who paved the way for today's female showjumpers - Iris Kellett was the first lady showjumper to be able to compete equally against the men and she proved the decision right by winning many many
titles. Miss Kellet still instructs and runs her own yard which is a beautiful and peaceful place in Co Kildare and she is often seen at the shows with her students. Miss Kellet is spoken of with awe and respect and she trained many of Ireland's best including the Olympic Showjumping Trainer, Eddie Macken who himself has won some of the greatest accolades available in showjumping - this a woman with an iron will and determination which saw her succeed in a sport which was very much a "man's world"! I was privileged to visit Miss Kellet recently and although suffering from an injured ankle she was still keen to show me the young horses she had bred from her former International mares.
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