The Connolly’s RED MILLS AIRC National Show Jumping Championships took place at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Sunday, 19th July, where competitors enjoyed glorious sunshine throughout the day.

A total of 174 riders, representing 54 riding clubs, competed across 240 championship entries, producing a fantastic day’s competition with excellent jumping and a wonderful atmosphere.

RC110 & RC120 Championship

The RC110 & RC120 Championship proved to be an exciting class, with riders tackling two demanding rounds before the leading combinations returned for a jump-off.

Mia Browne of Greenhills Riding Club riding Empress Nala claimed the championship title after producing two superb clear rounds and a faultless jump-off in 55.51 seconds. Emma Nugent and Roscandy from Rathangan Riding Club finished second following four faults in the jump-off, while Peter Brady and Hollymount Sandes Setanta of Oakleaf Riding Club took third place. Janet Carey (Sarsfield RC), Suzann McLoughlin (Mo Chara RC) and Lorraine Trenier (Lakelands RC) completed the top six.

Mia Browne said about her win, “I’m 19, a member of Greenhills riding club, I’ve been riding since I was 6, I just sat my Leaving Cert in June, so hadn’t really being doing as much as I normally would so getting back into now, last year we qualified and won the RDS AIRC Teams (Greenhills) for which I was Captain, I was so proud of her.  I also compete in SJI regularly and am registered as an AA amateur rider. Empress Nala or as I call her Nals, is an 11 year old Irish Sports Horse I got her as 5yr old, she had only been broken 6 months. Nals loves to jump and gets cross with herself if she knocks, but sometimes thinks she knows better!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC100 Championship

The RC100 Championship also produced an exciting finish, with two members of Coole Lane Riding Club progressing to the jump-off after producing two excellent clear rounds.

Charlie Watts riding Srilanka Rebble Doc claimed the championship title with a superb clear jump-off in 48.11 seconds, narrowly edging out clubmate Leonard Reamsbottom riding Lightening Spirit, who also jumped clear in 48.31 seconds. Marie Claire Rogers (Corrib RC) finished third, while Emma Meagher (Mill Road RC), Darielle O’Sullivan (Abbeylands RC) and Joanna Lewis (Mill Road RC) filled the remaining top six placings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC90 Championship

The RC90 Championship was another closely contested class, with four riders progressing to the jump-off after producing two faultless rounds.

The championship title went to Richie Hayes of Boru’s Riding Club riding Away Again, who produced the fastest clear jump-off in 39.67 seconds. Marie Byrne and Inisowen Lady from Mill Road Riding Club also jumped double clear to finish second, while David Quinlan riding Old Camp Lucky Lilly for Arderin Riding Club claimed third after incurring four faults in the jump-off.

Fourth place went to Sophie De Jong of Fingal Riding Club, with Therese Anderson (Benbulben RC) finishing fifth and Gill Phipps (Calliaghstown RC) taking sixth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC80 Championship

Paul McDonald and Blondie My Merry Buddy from Nuenna Farm Riding Club were crowned RC80 Champions, producing two excellent clear rounds before stopping the clock in 48.74 seconds in the jump-off. Louise Burke and Bonnie Mismatch (IRE) from Stracomer Riding Club finished second, while Amy Gartland (Oakleaf RC), Lauren Walker (Tir Conaill RC), Laura Bell McKevitt (Ard Lu RC) and Lindsey Scally (Kilrainy RC) completed the top six.

Paul McDonald said about his win, “I couldn’t be prouder of Blondie; he was super on Sunday and took everything in his stride. He loves his job and really shines on competition day.    it was so close in the jump of it could of gone either way but luck was on my side huge well done to the runner up she was super to with  only  2 going clear shows how  good  the courses were it took  great  teamwork to get around  but again  it was just luck ”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC70 Championship

The RC70 Championship title went to Ria Shaughnessy and Mosstown Billy, representing Mosstown Riding Club, after producing two excellent clear rounds. Verena Morris and HHO Shylan from Lakelands Riding Club claimed second, with clubmate Angelena O’Reilly Gumley and Miss Lav taking third. Jo Brennan (Annaharvey RC), Alana O’Malley (Galway West RC) and Shannan Kavanagh (Tir Conaill RC) completed the top six.

 

Ria Shaughnessy said about her win, “I am over the moon to have won the Riding Club Championship; it feels extra special this year as it’s my second time winning it on Mosstown Billy. It really is a dream come true after having a bilateral hip replacement seven years ago; being able to be out and compete is amazing. Billy really is a horse of a lifetime; he was bought for me as a birthday gift by my husband three years ago, and honestly he’s never put a hoof wrong. He always tries his hardest at every competition we go to and has helped me regain my confidence and love of show jumping again. I would like to thank the sponsors Connellys Red Mills (Billy’s favourite food), the excellent venue Mullingar Equestrian, and the AIRC for a superbly run day.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting Classes

Alongside the championship classes, competitors also contested a variety of supporting competitions throughout the day.

In the Young Horse Championship, Kellie Adamson and Frenchys Unique Kiss from Rathfarnham Riding Club claimed victory ahead of Carol Mulvihill (Mosstown RC) and Sandra Phipps (Calliaghstown RC).

The RC110 & RC120 Derby was won by Rachel Cosgrave and Monarts Garrison Guy from Arderin Riding Club, with Bruce Vial (Tir Conaill RC) finishing second.

The RC100 Derby title went to Emma O’Connor and Acrefield Enzo from Benbulben Riding Club, followed by Liam Keogh and Brian Dunne, both representing Mo Chara Riding Club, in second and third respectively.

The RC90 Derby was won by Gillian Cody and Lisbrien Boy from Thomastown & District Riding Club, while Therese Anderson (Benbulben RC) and Ciara Shannon (Coole Lane RC) completed the top three.

The RC80 Accumulator was won by Gillian Kidd and Mullagh Jamie from Tynagh Riding Club, with Derry Walker (Rathangan RC) second and Lisa Lomax (Benbulben RC) third. Alana O’Malley and Mochulla Dan from Galway West Riding Club claimed victory in the RC70 Accumulator.

In the Open classes, Sally Cunningham and Graf Landlord from Tara Hill Riding Club won the RC90 Open, Martina Mulligan and Tallyho Bob from Greenvalley Riding Club were victorious in the RC80 Open, while Deirdre Deegan and Dexters Pride from Ballycanew Riding Club claimed the RC70 Open title.

The Association of Irish Riding Clubs congratulates all competitors, prize winners, volunteers, officials and sponsors who helped make the 2026 Connolly’s RED MILLS AIRC National Show Jumping Championships another success.