WITH the amateur championship taking place directly after the puissance, riders received a warm welcome from the crowds at the RDS. Despite jumping their second qualifier in the morning there was no sign of tiring, with seven combinations booking their place in the timed round.

Taking the honours when delivering the only double clear was AA amateur rider Sarah Kate O’Donovan aboard Valenthina.

A delighted O’Donovan said: “It’s always competitive and I knew to put the pressure on I had to put in a fast clear. There was a few fast combinations to follow and I had this in mind going in.”

First to go against the clock, Natalie Kinghan and Ardkirk Cocco were going strong until faulting at the penultimate vertical, crossing the line in 35.16 seconds would later prove good enough for fourth.Gillian Blanche wasted no time with Bellegrove Prima Donna and four faults in 31.89 saw her take the lead and then eventual second. Lisa Doyle and Corlands Clipper crossed the line carrying eight faults in 31.68 for eventual fifth.

O’Donovan set off in a calculated pace with Valenthina. Her decision to take the longer route back to the second oxer and then pick up the pace after the double paid off as she lodged a clear in 35.48 to take the lead. Next in, Sheikh Samir Mirdad, had his foot firmly to the floor with Mirdads Maaa Shaa Allah, but four faults in 33.49 proved good enough for third.Last to go, Aileen Mc Dermott had her sights on a win, but four faults at the double and at the penultimate fence in a time of 31.77 saw her take sixth.

CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLES

The first of the Gallagher/ Meller E2 Showjumpers young riders championships took place in Simmonscourt last Friday with 16 competitors lining out in a bid to take the 1.40m championships.

Taking the first title of the day was Jennifer Rankin with Richard Bourns' Colorland’s Cheyenne.

Jessica Kuehnle and Tullibards Benny’s Legacy kept all the poles in place, but a single time fault meant that she finished in sixth. First to go with Norway Venture, Noelle Barry set the bar high as she delivered a clear in 32.2.

Seamus McSorley wasted no time with Beach Ball, but despite keeping all the poles in place a clear in 32.6 slotted him into fourth. Next in, Jenny Rankin’s daring gallop with Colorland’s Cheyenne to the last secured her the win as they clocked 31.40.

Tim MacDonagh proved out of luck when finishing on 12 faults with Point Two Elvis in a time of 32.60 for fifth. Last to go, Matt Garrigan gave it his best shot with Sterling un Prince, but despite a delivering a clear a slower time of 32 seconds saw him slot into second and as a result Barry dropped into third.

Victory in the 1.30m championships went to Laura Connor aboard Just Jump when she lodged the winning round of clear in 31.91 seconds. From the seven-way jump off, just four delivered double clears. Almost two seconds behind and occupying second place was Anna Caraway and Claricella, clear in 34.01, while third place was filled by Jennifer Kuehnle and Fly Ligh, clear in 34.90. Fourth was occupied by John Green and Tonagh Trip The Lights, clear in 35.27.

Claiming the 1.15m title on Sunday was Jonathan Smyth riding William Craig’s Twentyfour Main Street, when he galloped home with nothing to add in 28.28. Taking the runner-up spot was Kevin Gallagher and Knockmullen Chap, clear in 28.76. Gallagher was also awarded the leading young rider of the show, following a series of good results during the week. Occupying third place was Roisin Fagan and Pocahantas, clear in 28.9, ahead of Aoife Cuffe and Lady Amaretto in 29.56. Wesley Byrne was first into the arena with Bellisimo and he crossed the line with nothing to add in 31.46 for fifth, ahead of Rebecca York and E. Corletta in 33.69.

ZANOTELLI SHINES

The final Connolly’s RED MILLS Seven and Eight-year- old championship was hotly contested with eight of the 21 combinations proceeding to the timed-round. Taking the honours was Marlon Modolo Zanotelli aboard Equi Invest Showjumping’s EIS Isaura. Third to go in the jump-off, Modolo lodged the winning round of clear in 40.65.

By Tinka’s Boy and out Ukase Ter Putte, the seven-year-old mare was sold to Equi Invest at the start of the year but she came back to Zanotelli for the championships.

The stable rider for Galway's Enda Carroll's Ashford Farms, Zanotelli said: “I am very pleased at how she went as it was the first time that she has been pushed against the clock. She was broken late and has a few foals, so she is quite green. This has been her best result to date and the plan now will be Lanaken. It was quite tough and technical and in this arena it’s sometimes hard for them to focus as there is a lot going on and quite a few fences in there to look at.”

Alexander Butler partnered Dekato to a clear in 41.03 for second place. First to go with Fabrice Van Overis, Robert Whitaker’s daring gallop home saw him lodge a clear in 41.52 for eventual third. Roger Yves Bost put in a clear round in 41.71 for fourth ahead of Thomas O’Brien and Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve in 41.79.

Neal Fearon and Cavalino 26 crossed the line carrying four faults in 40.82 for sixth.