Amateur championship joy for Carroll

There was no rest for amateur riders as they faced their second qualifying round on Saturday morning and then went on to contest the championship that evening. Despite only a short reprieve, amateur riders showed no signs of tiredness as they took to the main arena to contest the Allianz-sponsored championship.

In total, 12 combinations booked their place in the final and of those six combinations proceeded to the timed round, returning an equal mix of both A and AA category riders.

First to go, Niall McGarry didn't waste any time with Clarkes Lux Clever but a risky gallop cost him as he faulted at the last. A fast time however of 38.47 saw him take eventual third. Next in, Daniel O’Shea riding Kinmar Night delivered the first double clear in 41.94, to take the lead.

However, Paul Carroll and Castleroche La Roche took a series of tight turns to set an unbeatable time of 39.17, leaving O’Shea to take second. The winning combination was clearly on form as they won the first qualifier by almost a two-second margin. Laura Flynn riding Joe's Charm also incurred four faults, albeit in the slower time of 41.52 for fourth. Runner-up to Carroll on Friday, Gillian Blanche was looking to go one better, but eight faults with Bellegrove Prima Donna saw her take fifth place. Grainne McGarry and Aramis Encore proved that the time could be beaten when clocking 38.75, but it carried a price as she finished on 12 faults for sixth.