Lorna Conroy took her second victory in the HSI Amateur Championship final at the 40^th annual Whites Cross Charity Show which took place at the Cork Showgrounds, Curaheen. Triumphant in 2013, Conroy who was once again paired with Lisbryan Rangerin won Sunday’s €2,500 prizes in kind feature class, sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland.

Candidate International course designer Tony Hurley set the challenge for the huge start list of fifty nine competitors saw only eighteen clear rounds for the timed decider.

Conroy, with the advantage of a late draw, knew exactly what had to be done and managed to make it home in a lightening round of 29.04 seconds just 0.99 seconds faster than her nearest rival.

Conroy has been paired with the 16-year-old Clover Field sired gelding for the past nine years and has notched up some impressive results on the Amateur circuit. After a second place finish in the recent National Amateur Dingo final, Conroy was anxious to be back on the winning podium once again.

Speaking after the class, Conroy commented, ‘’I’m delighted with the win this evening. Horse Sport Ireland has been fantastic sponsors of this Amateur Championship. Praise must be given to all the organisers, especially to Michael Hennessy and to Avalon Everett from HSI who was here today for the prize giving’’.

Conroy relegated long-time leader Michelle Griffin to runner-up spot. Griffin had set what looked like an unbeatable target of 30.03 seconds with the ever reliable Hillviews Rough Diamond.

Marita Byrne had set the original standard at a fault free 32.29 seconds with Don Brook but had to settle for eventual fourth place when Brian Cassidy found a quicker route home aboard Iquem Du Plessis, completing in 30.38 seconds.

2015 National Amateur Champion Andrew Byrne guided the relatively inexperienced Hermes De Reve sired seven year old mare Starling home in a time of 34.50 seconds to claim fifth. Tim O’Sullivan proved fastest of the remaining double clears when recording a time of 39.57 seconds with Barryscourt Clover Prince which would secure sixth position in the line-up.
 

HSI Amateur Championship Final Result

Sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland

1^st L. Conroy                Lisbryan Ranger                      0/0/29.04

2^nd M. Griffin                Hillsview Rough Diamond       0/0/30.03

3^rd B. Cassidy               Iquem Du Plessis                   0/0/30.38

4^th M. Byrne                  Don Brook                              0/0/32.29

5^th A. Byrne                  Starling                                    0/0/34.50

6^th T. O’Sullivan            Barryscourt Clover Prince       0/0/39.57