The sun shone brightly over Athenry on Sunday as the opening round of the Connaught Pony Leagues got underway.
In the 148 1.10m Incl. HCI Connaught Pony League & Forever Equestrian National Young Pony Series, Sarah Egan and Katie Girl claimed victory after producing one of just three double clears in a winning time of 32.35 seconds. Joshua Broderick took advantage of the longer lines aboard Greenfield Star to secure second place in 35.37, while he also filled third with Maggie’s Star after another clear round in 39.30. Alice Curran and the six-year-old Alice Pickle finished fourth with a single fence down in 42.61. Alyna Hawkins occupied fifth and sixth places respectively, partnering Mcg Carrow Crème to the fastest four-fault round of the first phase in 86.25, before adding another four faults aboard Highburren Rose in 86.52.
The 138 1m Silver Jumper Roxboro Stud Connaught Pony League & Forever Equestrian National Young Pony Series saw Niamh Delaney and Kisheen lead the victory lap as the only combination to produce a double clear, stopping the clock in 39.57. Sarah Egan and Rebel Gealach delivered an exceptionally quick round, but a costly error left them second in 31.74. Delaney also claimed third place with Rhos Enterprise after picking up a rail in the second round, crossing the line in 36 seconds. Tim Hawkins and the five-year-old Carraghy Spice were the fastest of the four-faulters in the opening round to finish fourth in 108.92. William Lynskey and the six-year-old Ds Hans Off slotted into fifth after two fences down in 90.84, while Ellen Ryan and Farmhill Cailin Dun completed the top six on eight faults in the same time.
Only two competitors managed double clears in the 128 90cm Connaught Pony League & Forever Equestrian National Young Pony Series. Ben Hawkins and Bronheulog Rose Gold proved the quickest, taking the win in 32.48. Thomas Tully’s decision to ride the longer lines aboard Almar Chubba Chubba paid off as they secured second place with a clear in 36.55. Hawkins also finished third with Glenford Tammy after recording the fastest four-fault round in 37.02. Elaine Brisco and Strawberry Swirl II suffered a similar fate in the second round and finished fourth in 40.73. Sophie Hawshaw and Ice Ty De Nooe took fifth as the fastest four-faulter from round one in 63.37, while Ben Hawkins rounded out the top six aboard Smokey Astral on four faults in 71.25.