The first leg of the Top Oil National Ladies Championship got under way at Midleton Show this weekend (28th May).
With 19 entered on the day, it was set to be a competitive class among those who wanted to qualify for the final. 8 combinations qualify from each venue and must be double clear to secure a place at Whites Cross Show final on September 3rd.
14 combinations were clear in the first round, with 10 of those producing double clears on the day.
Fastest of those was One Lucky Strike, owned by Tim Townend and ridden by Josephine Townend in a time of 38.03. This was the unbeatable time on the day and saw Townend take home the Top Oil National Ladies Championship rug and the first to qualify for the final.
Lorraine Young and the self-owned Belfieldflight narrowly missing the top spot with a double clear in a time of 38.48 to stay in second position. Younge also qualified on her own Little Miss Russel in seventh position with a double clear in a time of 48.36.
In third was Lucy Mellerick with the se self-owned Comeback Kid, again, Merrick only missed out on second place by a fraction with a time of 38.95.
Helen Connors qualified Francis Connors’ Mystic Dance with a double clear in a time of 39.29 and finished in fourth place, with Edel Kelly and her own Zamir taking fifth with a time of 40.22.
Culleens Paddy (owned by Jim Stafford) and Shauna Reaney came in to sixth place with a double clear in 41.16.
Niamh Casey secured eight place and the last qualifying position from Midleton Show on the self-owned Electric Butterfly.