Ridden Classes, Dublin RDS ’12 click on Pic. to enlarge
It was a bright Thursday at 8.10 am. when the first of the two early morning Connemara Ridden classes entered Ring Two.
In Class 73 for mares and geldings 4 and 5 years old, Grace Murphy rode her home-bred gelding Gleann Rua Ruby (Gleann Rua Maxwell X Dawn Mist) to take the Red rosette while another Galway bred gelding Vicky Slator’s 4yr. old Cluain Laragh Cascade (Corrib Prince X Ochill Pride) was placed 2nd. Breeder Jim Cloonan has just sent me a fine pic. of Cluain Laragh Cascade.
Class 74 Ciara Mullen riding her mother’s Pontoon Lad (Fredericksminde Hazy Match X Caitlin) was top of the line in the class for six yr.old and older ponies, repeating their Clifden success of just a week earlier. A double whammy for owner Ruffina Shiel Mullen.
In this large class of 18 ponies the Blue rosette went to Anne Nixon’s The Atlantic Grey (Village Boy X Oorid Linda) There was then the long wait until after 7pm before these four winners appeared again in the Ring for the Championship. (A worth while wait for one winner in particular).
At 5 o’clock promptly 20 ponies entered the Ring for Class 75, for riders over 17. It was a fine sight to see so many immaculately turned-out Connemaras cantering simultaneously around the huge Ring, all on their best behaviour – bar one feeling wild and free again – until the first call-in took place. Individual shows were performed, ponies stripped and shown in- hand, all the way down the line, the Judges made their final choice, pulling in Derrymore Paddy Finn to head the final line-up.
This made a three- in- a- row win for this 14 year old gelding son of Cloonisle Cashel X Good bye My Love, expertly produced by Tipperary’s Philippa Mansergh Wallace and daughter Esmé and skilfully ridden this time by good friend Suzanne O’Brien, as Esmé was still laid-up due to a recent injury.
Claire Devlin’s prolific winner Blackwood Fernando (Ferdia X Dancing Queen) and rider Alicia were Blue rosette winners this time. Class 76 Ridden Stallions. By now rain was becoming more persistant when the Class for ridden stallions was judged.
Liam Lynskey’s Black Shadow ridden by Victoria Gibson topped the first line-up of seven superb stallions, but it was Crusader of Kippure, Michael and Orla Igoe’s strong 12 yr. old by Moy Hazy Cove out of Dancing Lady who took the Red ribbons in this class, piloted by Debbie Boylan White.
Black Shadow by Silver Shadow out of Tawin Ballinvoucher who had performed well over fences on Wednesday had to be satisfied with 2nd place.
Championship Class. A delighted Suzanne O’Brien with Derrymore Paddy Finn eventually got the nod of the Judges to accept the day’s ultimate accolade, the champion’s Sash and the Eugenia Murray Trophy.
Grace Murphy was equally pleased to have have her novice gelding Gleann Rua Ruby called in to Reserve place.
Spectators still lined the Ring, it was nearing 8 o’clock, dusk falling and the rain spitting down but nothing could dampen the joy of Derrymore Paddy Finn’s connections, having just won his Ridden class at Dublin for the fourth time and taken the Championship twice. Well done to all ponies and riders who kept the fans happy.
All Pictures © Niamh’s Weblog
