From the desk of: Fintan Flannelly Jnr.

Leinster Indoor Show Jumping Championships Series

Jordan and Bendict Kill Off Competition

Last weekend (9th & 10th October) saw a huge entry turn up at Kill International Equestrian Centre for the Leinster Indoor Pony Championship. This year’s entry doubled from its inaugural year in 2003. To deal with the huge entries organisers had to reschedule the novice classes to a second arena whilst the open ponies took centre stage in the Kathleen Flannelly Memorial Arena. The weekend schedule featured a qualifier for the Tughans Solicitors Irish Super League National 148cms Pony (1.30m) Championship to be held in Belfast International Horse Show in December, the National Under 8/10 128cms ABCD Finals and Grand Prixs in each of the height categories.

The opening novice classes saw Jordan Coyle pick up a pair of double clears with Lessans Speciality, which was an indication of the weekend ahead from the young rider from the north. Others to do likewise were Sven Hadley and Beauty and Nathan Evans on Marsh Kyfe Merry Legs and Marsh Kyfe Midget. Meanwhile Luke Corcoran also was to pick up a share of first with Raymon, who were to feature in Sunday National under 8 Final. The opening open class, 128cms ABC, saw northern riders take the first three placings, with Jordan Coyle on Stars Adventure separating Emma Smyth’s two mounts, Redford Mayfly and Dawn Princess.

The 138cms D and CD showed the smallest numbers compete over the weekend but that didn’t matter to Raymond Loftus (Misty Rocket), Niall Redmond (Donoghmore Lad), Claire Hughes (Melview Surprise) and Peig Van Amerongan (Tia Lusso) who were the only combinations to go double clear in both classes. Meanwhile in the main arena Jordan Coyle was to go one better in the 138cms ABC. Forth to jump of forty six, Jordan struck with the first double clear of the class in a time of 32.86. This time was to prove to quick for the rest of the field, with the only other sub 34 second round coming late in the competition from Emmet Mullins and Pulp Panic who stopped the clock in a time of 33.21.

The next class in the main arena was the ABC Handicapped fancy dress relay, which had people on their feet and an electric atmosphere to boot. Yet again this year it was the 128cms combinations that were to dominate the line up. Megan Sweeney (Sister Kate) was to win the class for the second year in a row, except this year she was partnered by Richard Howley on Covehill Scoobie. Their time of 48.77 was well clear of the chasing posse, with Kellie Allen and Tom Foley taking the runners up spot and Joseph Sweeney and Rebecca Kinchella taking third. Another to make it two years in a row was Tom Foley when he won the prize for best fancy dress. His effort was fantastic as he and Muskerry Crusader took to the arena as a Knight in Shining Armour that could have galloped straight off the set of Excalibur or King Arthur.

Meanwhile the final novice classes of the day in the 148cms categories saw 12 combinations jump double clear in the D class and 17 in the CD class. However, the focus now was moving back to the main arena as the class prior to the qualifier for the Tughans Solicitors Irish Super League National 148cms Pony (1.30m) Championship to be held in Belfast International Horse Show in December was coming to a close. After nearly ninety ponies had jumped only four combinations were double clear in under 30 seconds. Laura Brown was to settle for fourth place after Raphael McEnroe and Dungimmon Knight took a mere .14 seconds of her time of 29.43. But the duel for first and second saw James Chawke and Outrath Prince edge out Fiona Beecher and Loughnatousa Gold Touch with times of 27.52 and 28.17 respectfully.

Sixty starters started the Tughans Solicitors Irish Super League National 148cms Pony (1.30m) Championship qualifier. A very warm welcome was extended to Belfast International Show Director Theresa McKenna who made the trip down to watch the young hopefuls take on Tom Holden’s track in the pursuit of qualifying for the prestigious Belfast event in December. With only six places up for grabs competition was always going to be stiff and the riders were presented with a strong but fair course. At the end of the first round the qualifying places were determined as only five riders were to go clear. One of the clears was Andrew Latta and Cappagh Supreme who had already qualified the previous week which meant that two of the fastest four faulters would gain qualification. In this case it was David Simpson and his two mounts Western Wonder and Western Lad who were to take both qualifying places. The jump off saw Jessica Burke and Bean Ailing post the only double clear of the competition to win the class ahead of Andrew Latta who came home with the quickest four fault round. Golden Saddle winner Benedict Kuehnle took third place on Silogue Darkie .16 seconds behind Andrew whilst fourth and fifth went to Stacey Meegan (Mystery Music) and Kirsty Chambers (Girl Talk). On hand to say a few words and make the presentations were Theresa McKenna, Show Director, Belfast International Horse Show, Coreen Conway, National Chairman Pony Committee and Henry Bateman, Leinster Pony Representative.

Sunday morning saw Jordan Coyle post a double of wins in the 138cms Accumulator and 128cms Table A Speed on Tasmanian Taz and Stars Venture whilst last years 148cms Grand Prix winner, Aine Sheehy won the 148cms ABC Accumulator on Blessington May Fly coming home on maximum points .03 seconds ahead of Raphael McEnroe on Dungimmon Rapadash in a time of 34.76.

The final class before the Grand Prix’s took place was the rescheduled National Under 8/10 128cms ABCD Final kindly sponsored by Maureen Bagnall. This class was a fantastic representation of all that is good in the sport and the scene of the youngsters walking the course was precious in a magical atmosphere with good sportsmanship almost tangible. However, when the competition started it was down to serious business and the sheer determination of these riders and ponies was fitting of its scheduling prior to the Grand Prixs. The under 8 section saw the title head west, when Luke Corcoran and Raymon came home over a second and a half ahead of Leinster duo Wesley Byrne and Bawnea Dolly and Cian Hutchinson Gledcam Dancer. Forth place went north to Catherine Drain and Sharon’s Choice with Tom Foley and Ballinlow Lass and Alice Bowler and Anita’s Pet taking the final placings. Maeve Downey and Miss Susie took the Under 10 title north when posting the only sub 23 second round of the whole competition. Second place was fought out between David and Ronan Corcoran on Glesson Royal Gold (23.13) and Kelvaro (23.90). The remaining Under 10 placings went to Christopher Brown (4th), Shannon McKenzie(5th) and Trevor Gray(6th). All riders competiting were awarded rosettes and the winners received a fantastic array of prizes from class sponsor Maureen Bagnall.

After the excitement of the Under 8/10 Final it was time for the 128cms AB Grand Prix. Fourteen made it through to the jump-off. Jordan Coyle who featured strongly all weekend posted the fasted time of the class on Stars Venture when first to go in the jump-off but unfortunately left the first rail on the floor. The first clear round of the jump-off came from Richard Howley and Covehill Scoobie in a time of 27.14. Next to have a cut at this time leaving the fences standing was David Kealy and Gigman Lorenzo (28.55) which was good enough for eventual third. However, Vincent Byrne posted a time of 25.29 on Kilmoylan Joey which looked unlikely to beat early in the second half of the jump-off until third last to jump, Jordan Coyle on Karma Chameleon, crossed the line in exactly the same time, but having the final fence down meant the 128cms Grand Prix went to Vincent.

The penultimate class of the weekend, 138cms AB Grand Prix saw eleven making it through to the jump-off. First in to jump was David Blake and Sinead Healion’s Annaghmore Boomerang. Their clear in a very quick time of 26.36 was to put the pressure on the rest of the field. This pressure was to turn into faults as David remained the only double clear when the last jumped and the 138cms AB Grand Prix headed to Clare. Jordan Coyle and Glenkeen Golden Wonder (32.89) and Mili Mc Intyre and The Masters Lady (34.86) both came home on 3 faults whilst David Law who produced the fastest time of the class had to settle for 4th after having fence four of the jump off down. James Brennan and Buzzin Billy and Alison Irwin and Pirello completed the line-up.

The final class of the weekend, the 148cms AB Grand Prix, saw twelve of the forty-one starters make it through to jump against the clock. First to go clear was Niall Flynn and Poetics Girl who stopped the clock in a time of 30.90. However this lead was short lived when Benedict Keuhnle was next into the ring on Roll Away Bob who shaved just over half a second off Niall’s attempt. Jordan Coyle was to post the quickest time of the round mid-way through the jump-off with Kilenny Candy (27.15) but was unfortunate to leave the third last fence on the ground. Only one more clear was produced in the class and it was fitting that it was Benedict who beat his own time with Dalestown Thunderstorm in a time of 28.71. Lewis Quinn and Carrabawn God Knows What and Maura Counihan and Western Balze took he final placing of 5th and 6th coming home with four faults in times 31.06 and 31.51. This one-two was to complete a memorable two weeks for Benedict. Two weeks ago he won the Equestrian Surfaces Master at the Leinster Indoor Young Rider and Junior Championships, last weekend he was a Golden Saddle recipient and now he had qualified for Belfast International and bagged the Leinster Indoor 148cms AB Grand Prix for good measure.

The final leg of the Equestrian Surfaces Leinster Indoor Show Jumping Series sees the horses take centre stage (4th – 7th November). The show also will run young rider divisions in the 1.10m and 1.20m. Feature classes of the show are the Equestrian Surfaces Masters Class, The Leinster Indoor Amateur Grand Prix and Pro- Am Charity Relay, (in aid of the O’Dwyer Chesire Home, Bohola, and St Bridgits Hospice, the Curragh) and the Leinster Indoor Grand Prix, (penultimate leg of the IJM National Indoor Grand Prix circuit.)