EASY DOES IT Alex Duffy is pictured going over the famous Hickstead bank on his way to finishing second in The Hickstead Speed Derby last Saturday on Iris Du Bateau.
Duffy flies Mayo flag
Rob Murphy
YOUNG equestrian sensation Alex Duffy almost secured the biggest victory of his career in Hickstead on Saturday. The Knockmore man has been rewarded for his sensational form this season with a place on the Irish team for the Junior European Nations Cup at the end of this month, and his display in England venue underlined his credentials.
The Speed Derby at the Sussex venue was the main event of the day and Duffy added eight faults to the fastest time of the competition with Iris Du Bateau, leaving him in second overall behind Britain’s Ellen Whitaker.
On the local scene, Thomas O’Brien from Athenry notched up his second victory in the Fahy Trailer/Casey Jeep Connacht League in Tubber on Saturday. O’Brien’s success moves him back into contention in the league standings but Claremorris rider Carl Hanley remains on top of the leaderboard thanks to yet another top three finish last weekend.
Attention now turns to one of the biggest shows of the year in the province next weekend in Ballina. Next Saturday round six of the League will be the showpiece event on day two of the three-day Ballina Show. Hanley, O’Brien and Olive Clarke will continue their bid for overall glory while Stephen Egan, Matt Gordon and Alex Duffy spearhead the rest of the Mayo challenge on the day.
The Grand Prix was one of a number of competitive horse finals at the Tubber show on Sunday with two Mayo riders featuring well in the 1.10 metre event. Shane Quinn from Killala was second on Greenforest Hilton while Crossmolina’s Hannah Gordon was fourth on Equi Jess.
Both riders will hope to carry that good form into next weekend, as will Irishtown rider Gabriel Slattery who won the 1.20 metre event on Welcome Captain, beating out Leitrim challenger Majestic Joe with John McGuinness on board.
Sunday’s action in Ballina will centre on the latest round of the Boswell League with the top riders from all over the country competing for points in the most prestigious league event in the country. With many of Mayo’s leading contenders in top form, a local winner is not out of the question.
The main pony events in Ballina will be held on the Friday. There’s also a big pony show in Strandhill on Saturday, meaning a busy weekend for all the province’s top riders. One of the leading young pony riders in the county, Cormac Hanley, was the big winner in Tubber on Saturday winning the 138 ABC event on Emerald Pride. He edged out another Mayo rider, Trevor Gray from Ballina, who finished a fine second on Speedy Clover.
Three pony riders from the province have also been selected to represent Ireland in Nations Cup action later this month. Jessica Burke and Paddy McDonnagh from Galway and Enniscrone’s Richard Howley have represented Ireland with distinction already this season and their selection is another boost for the sport in the west.
Results
Tubber Horse Show Gort:
Ponies – 128 Grades A, B and C:
1, Castle Quarter Hero (Eoin McMahon); 2, Hector’s Hero (Raphael Lee); 3, Rathdrum Bobby (Eoin McMahon); 4, Cuffestown Queen (Tristan Gray).
138 Grades A, B and C: Emerald Pride (Cormac Hanley); 2, Speedy Clover (Trevor Gray); 3, Kevin Krystal (Kevin Kearney).
148 Grades A and B:
1, Sonic Hero (Kate Costello); 2, Ravensdale Aprase Me (Paul McDermott); 3, Western Lad (Ann Marie Walpole).
148 Grades A, B and C:
1, Mighty Mystery (Clona Costello); 2, Sonic Hero (Kate Costello); 3, Ravensdale Aprase Me (Paul McDermott).
Horses – 1.10m class:
1, Godiru (Racheal Creaven); 2, Greenforest Hilton (Shane Quinn); 3, Lissyegan Costar (Damian Griffin.
1.20 metre:
1, Welcome Captain (Gabriel Slattery); 2, Majestic Joe (John McGuinness); 3, Clon Road (Thomas O’Brien).
1.30 metre Fahy Trailers/Casey Jeep Connacht League: 1, Fabienne (Thomas O’Brien); 2, MT Cruise (Matt Gordon); 3, Ally McBeal (Carl Hanley); 4, Cobbydor (Olive Clarke); 5, Silver Sir (Thomas O’Brien); 6, Le Crunch (Stephan Egan).
