As dusk starts to fall on the pony season the Cavan Autumn Pony show was held over the weekend of 25th to 27th October. This marks the end of a glittering career for many pony athletes as they retire from this category and move to the realms of the junior and young rider ranks.
With the weather showing a marked deterioration it was very much appreciated that there were two superb indoor arenas to host all the activity throughout the show.
Friday attracted those athletes fortunate enough to have broken up for half term early with the jumping starting at 9.00am great competition was had all day.
The 128 1metre had a field of thirty two runners from which Kate Derwin and ‘Toorboy Tommy’ took the win jumping clear in 31.05 ahead of Orla Duffy ‘Mickybo’ 0/0 34.46 and Harry Allen ‘Lurgan Darragh’ 0/0 34.53. In the 138 1.10 Jason Foley was the winner on his new mount ‘Bear Me In Mind’ 0/0 32.60, this from a srtart list of twenty six runners. Harry Allen took second with ‘Lough Gill’ 0/0 35.53 with Foley also claiming third on ‘Kiltormer Hero’ 0/0 36.63. In the 148 1.20 class English visitor Harriet Cooper took the win on ‘Furdo’ this combination left everything standing in a time of 37.90 with Patrick Hickey and ‘Shercock Rose’also clear to take second in 39.46 marginally ahead of Killian Norris and ‘Claggan Gypsy Delight’ 0/0 39.55.
The two fence challenge delighted the crowd on Friday evening going to five rounds where Adriano Rolandi was the outright winner clearing the vertical at 1.65 on ‘Domino’. Second was Shane McCloskey and ‘Sunkist Lad’, this combination having cleared 1.55 in the fourth round ahead of Kayleigh Soden ‘Boolagh Gypsy Boy’ and Jessica Johnston ‘Thorn’.
The Under 10 80(s) class on Saturday saw seventeen combinations make it into the jump off which had the crowd on its feet. Natasha Kerr and ‘Pepsi Mac’ jumped a very fast clear to take the red rosette in 27.00 ahead of Katie McEntee ‘Redford Mayfly’ 0/0 27.86 and Max Foley ‘Flying Star’ 0/0 27.93. This was followed by the 148 1.20(s) competition which saw the English raider Harriet Cooper and ‘Furdo’ claim their second win of the show, this combination took four seconds off Killian Norris and ‘Javas Alun’ time of 41.92. Third place went to Richard McIvor and ‘Blidworths Fluffy Duckling’ 0/0 43.05.
The 138 1.10(s) class saw history being made as Harry Allen was joint winner on his two ponies ‘Scarletts Billy The Kid’ and ‘Fountain Ranger’, both producing clear rounds in an identical time of 35.71. Third place went to Sean Monaghan on ‘Ronaldino’ 0/0 40.49.
Jason Foley was back in the winners enclosure in the 128 1m(s) class with ‘Parc Pixie’0/0 33.55, with Lee Carey and ‘Saynothing’ just behind in 34.11. Rhys Williams finished in third place on ‘Parc Kickin It’ 0/0 36.80.
The retiring riders competition followed with a presentation made to those athletes finishing their pony careers before the frenzy set in getting ponies and riders alike dressed up in their chosen costume. The winners of the fancy dress were Richard McIvor and Fergus Reid choosing to promote the ‘118 118’ service, this pair can provide a number at anytime! Rachel Houston and ‘Blessington Grange Mist’ won the speed class ahead of Kerri McIvor and ‘Mr Woody’ with Victoria Brown taking third on ‘Mistys Flight’.
Following tradition Sunday was Grand Prix day with the Under 10’s kicking off the action. Fifty one started in this prestigious class with fifteen of these making it into the jump off over the great courses designed by resident course designer Stuart Clarke assisted by Alan Lynch. Twelve of these remained on a zero score, the quickest of these was Ashley Dunne and ‘Parc Popper’ 30.53, this combination winning the rug and the lions share of the prizefund. Second place went to Rhys Williams ‘Parc Sassy Brassy’ in 31.00 ahead of Alex Finney ‘Magneto Cobra’ 32.06.
Jason Foley continued his unbeaten record in the 128 1mtr Grand Prix when winning the class from a field of forty five starters. Foley jumped double clear with ‘Little Lord of the Hills’ in 32.30 completing a hat trick of wins in this division. Second and third places went to Harry Allen ‘Lurgan Darragh’ 0/0 33,28 and ‘Little Jack Spratt’ 0/0 33.59 respectively.
Thirty one went to post in the 138 1.10 Grand Prix where the 128 victor Jason Foley continued his winning form by claiming yet another title, this time with ‘Bear Me In Mind’, clear all the way in 31.19. Olivia Roulston and ‘Claggan Supreme’ finished in second place 0/0 31.83 with Harry Allen and ‘Lough Gill’ in third 0/0 34.19.
Concluding the action and the careers of many athletes was the 148 Grand Prix, proving to be a poignant class for many riders and parents. Twelve clears were produced in the first round from a start list of fifty five, with only two of these staying on zero in the jump off. Richard McIvor, half of the 118 team certainly dialled the right numbers when he stopped the clock in 43.19 to win his last Grand Prix in ponies on ‘Blidworths Fluffy Duckling’. Second place went to Patrick Hickey on ‘Shercock Rose’ in 45.66.
As always the team at Cavan Equestrian worked tirelessly throughout the weekend only getting a short break before the November International Horse show starts.
The pony action moves to Southview from 30th Oct to 3rd November where the English Home Pony International will be staged, best wishes for team medals and lots of Irish success.