It was a busy week for show jumpers at the Cavan Equestrian Indoor Championships. Run over six days, the competition was intense across all divisions.

In the first 1.30m qualifier on Wednesday, the first three combinations came home in under 32 seconds. Nicholas Williams riding A Touch of Blue won the class in 28.81. Owned by Gary Frew, this 10-year-old KWPN gelding is by Zirocco Blue and out of the Chin-sired dam, A-Elrite.

In the second 1.30m qualifier on Thursday, the top three riders finished in under 31 seconds, with the fastest round coming from Paul Carberry and Brandon View First Edition (29.93). John Floody won the 1.35m on Thursday, riding HTS Blackrock, posting the winning clear round in 29.19.

On Friday evening, all eyes were on the main arena as competitors lined out in a bid to take the win in the Snaffles Bar 1.40m Indoor Derby. Victory went to 15-year-old Frano Derwin and Jaque Mate, when he stopped the clock in 29.67. Owned by Carol Gee, the 10-year-old Belgian bred gelding is by Berlin and out of Waranka.

Derwin is no stranger to success both at home and abroad, especially in the pony arena. This year with Cul Ban Mistress, he formed part of the team who won the European Pony Show Jumping team gold medal in Poland. Ita Mc Dermott, didn’t put a foot wrong with Doonaveeragh Victor, but a slower time of 31.43 proved good enough for second. Richard Kerins and Achonry Carie was over two seconds behind when clocking 33.84, for third.

On Saturday, Sven Hadley won the 1.25m Speed Championship aboard Ganorad, when he delivered the winning clear round in 54.51.

1.35M SJI AUTUMN GRAND PRIX

Olive Clarke and Clonguish Vivaro, jumped clear in 33.91 to win the 1.35m Showjumping Ireland (SJI) Autumn Grand Prix. Owned and bred by Brendan Jordan from Co Longford, this 10-year-old gelding is by Vivaldo Van Het Costersveild and out of the Tanaos-sired dam, Clonguish Gold.

Eddie Moloney finished second with Andiamix Hero Z, jumping clear in 34.63. Owned by Caroline Teltsch, the nine-year-old gelding is by Aganix du Seigneur and out of Andiamo Z-sired dam, Boetia Hero.

Patricia Steward Greer opted for a more careful approach aboard Jones VD Bisschop and it paid off as she jumped clear in 38.16 to finish third. The 10-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding is by Heartbreaker and out of the Voltaire-sired dam, Ilydi. Accounting for fourth was Aoife Leonard and Ringwood Chiquitta Gold (ISH), clear in 39.43. This 10-year-old mare was bred by Aoife’s father Peter Leonard and is by Tinarana Goldwave and out of the Ard VDL Douglas-sired dam, Ringwood Chiquitta Douglas. Leonard has six other offspring from the dam registered.

In fifth was Philip Gaw and Ardnacashel Coovella, clear in 40.18. Bred by Janice Reddy from Co Down, the 10-year-old mare is by Luidam and out of the Harlequin Du Carel-sired dam, Prominence. Completing the top six line-up was Shannon Robinson and Chardonnay, clear in 40.66.

Another 10-year-old, this German-bred mare is by Diarado and out of the Calato-sired dam Sophie I.

YOUNG HORSE FINALS

The six and seven-year-old Hankook final on Saturday evening came down to the wire with eight combinations delivering clears and with only spilt seconds between their times. Fastest of those and winning the class was Olivia Roulston and Miss Valent, in 54.23.

This seven-year-old mare, who is owned and bred by Lisa Rosbotham, is by Valent (KWPN) and out of John Henry-sired dam, Miss Siss (ISH). Oliva who won the RDS Bursary this year, has been based with Woods Rosbotham since 2017 and is trained by Lisa Rosbotham. Miss Valent has a series of impressive results, including winning the six and seven-year-old Dengie Championship in Balmoral this year.

Claiming the four-year-old final was Sean Monaghan and Creevyquinn Poseur on a mark of 31. Owned by Carol Gee and bred by Stephen Reilly, this gelding is by Coronet Oblinsky and out of the Argentinus-sired dam, Boraya VDl.

Victory in the five-year-old championship went to Aidan Killeen and Chaplin du Vi. He was the fastest of five double clears in 33.08. Owned by Killeen and bred by Andre Veldmate, the gelding is by Chellsini Z and out of the Clinton II-sired dam, Merci du Vi.