Just over 200 riders, 200 horses from 51 clubs descended to Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co. Westmeath last Sunday for the Connolly’s RED Mills National Show Jumping Championships.

RC 110 & RC 120 Championship

Fiona Tansey (Benbulben) riding Talbot Lass secured her third consecutive victory in the RC 110 and RC 120 Championship. In a tightly contested class with only three double clear rounds, Fiona was the sole rider to deliver a clear round in the three-way jump-off, securing the top spot.

Amanda Jayne Comyn (Kilrainy) on GMH Ability claimed second place, while Mia Browne (Greenhills) riding Empress Nala followed closely in third.

Fiona said about her win “It was a pleasure and a privilege to compete on Sunday in the annual AIRC Showjumping Championship which is always such a great event at the great venue of MEC. The tracks for the 110cm/120cm class were definitely testing and the opposition formidable and I was absolutely thrilled to have managed to complete the three clear rounds. My special little mare ‘Molly’ jumped her heart out for me and to our delight we managed bring the cup back to Sligo again in 2025. Our appreciation goes to Connolly Red Mills for their continued sponsorship and to the team at AIRC head office for all the hard work involved in organising this wonderful day of sport”

RC 100 Championship

Margaret Corry (Burren) riding Quitano B claimed victory in a tightly contested class that saw only two double clear rounds. A two-way jump-off decided the winner, with Margaret delivering a flawless round to take the top spot. Her teammate, Elaine Wilson (Benbulben) on Mermus Hill, finished second with four faults in the jump-off.

Kitty Shanahan (Mo Chara) on Carrick Diamond Promise placed third, narrowly missing the jump-off with just one time fault. Mary Govern (Headfort) on Roebuck Rascal, Niall Molloy (Golden Grove) on Winston P, Richard Hunter (Killcarrick) on Greannanstown Exhibition rounded out the top six.

Margaret said about her win “When I headed to Mullingar to represent Burren at the AIRC National Show Jumping Championships, I never imagined I’d come home as the RC100 Champion. I was one of only six clears in the first round, and after another clear in the second round, I found myself in a two-way jump-off with fellow Western rider Elaine Wilson. She had an unlucky pole down, and I knew a clear would win it. Misneach gave it everything, and when we cleared the last fence, the feeling was unbelievable. I’m so grateful for our coach Stephen Cox—his support makes days like this possible. There’s nothing like the spirit and camaraderie of an AIRC event.”

RC 90 Championship

With just under 50 entries, the RC 90 Championship was the largest class of the day. Only four riders managed double clears, leading to a competitive four-way jump-off. Victory went to the West once again, with Emma O’Connor (Benbulben) on Acrefield Enzo emerging as the fastest four-faulter to take the win.

Marie Therese Meade (Abbeylands) on Mo Chara Darcy claimed second place, while Daragh Callanan (Warrington) riding Ruthstown Holly Sue finished third on eight faults. Emily Moore (Kilrainy) on Sweet Like Honey placed fourth, followed by Jenny Clarke (Cheval) on Boora Clover in fifth and Craig Ennis (Killossery) on Meko in sixth.

Emma said about her win ” Bursting with pride after winning the championship on a horse I bred and produced myself. We’ve grown together, and he’s helped me regain so much confidence. He gave me everything in every round and always tries his heart out for me.

It’s great to be back in the ring after missing this event last year while I had a newborn. Enzo has enjoyed two years off while I had my two children, but he’s come back better than ever. This win comes just a couple of weeks after taking first place at an ODE, so he’s really on top form right now.”

RC 80 Championship

The West secured its fourth win of the day in the Championship classes with Eilish Calgie (Stracomer) riding Bibi Scrabo Blaze, delivering the only clear in a two-way jump-off to win the class. Lyndsey O’Toole (Abbeylands) on Lumcloon Maisie had an unlucky pole down in the jump-off, finishing in second place.

Edel McGowan (Benbulben) on Shannondale Dita took third with just two time faults, while Karina Mescal (Castle Carraig) on Lenny’s Return placed fourth. Jan Dickson (Mullingar) on Cornskye Dotty came fifth, followed by Paul McDonald (Nuenna Farm) on Blondie My Merry Buddy in sixth.

Eilish said about the win ” I have Blaze since January and we are really starting to come together.

We take part in the riding club leagues and competitions and we were down at the festival here last month and with Blaze and my confidence is growing so much.  Absolutely delighted that we came 1st in the 80s class as I really didn’t expect to win it but I’m over the moon .

I have to give a big big thank you to Erin and Derek at Stracomer for all the help they have given me along the way as I have Blaze stabled there and also to the Stracomer club gang, and girls at the yard.

I am looking forward to whatever is next for Blaze and myself in the future, and we have the dressage championship here again next month.

Thank you to Elaine and team that organises the AIRC riding club shows here at Mullingar each year, they do an amazing job and I am already looking forward to next year. “

RC 70 Championship

In the last class of the day, it was a victory for the North East region as Karina Abraham (Ashbrook) rode Chandler to first place. Olive Walker (Enniskerry) on Taberios Girl followed closely in second, with Kera O’Haire (Abbeylands) on Fernwood Spirit taking third.

Jenny Bates (Drynam) on Mountain Dew Boy placed fourth, Amy O’Brien (Greenhills) on Princess Mindy was fifth, and Ria Shaughnessy (Mosstown) on Mosstown Billy completed the top six.

Karina said about her win “It was a rather emotional win for me on Sunday, these championships were only my fourth horse show, since getting back into riding for myself (the last time I was in a show ring was close to 30yrs ago) but I could not have done it without my partner, Chandler (17yrs old) he has taken on the role of looking after me and giving me the confidence to keep going. I also could not have managed the day without the help and support from Caroline, John and Mags from Ashbrook RC and thank you to everyone else involved, onwards and upwards.”

Young Horse

Ten riders competed in the Young Horse class, with Richard Hunter (Killcarrick) taking the win aboard Greannanstown Exhibition. Sarah O’Dea (Castle Carraig) finished second on LLS Ladies View, while third place went to Anna Burke (Benbulben) riding Ballyard Golden Eddie.

Ian Quinlan (Meath) on Blackwater Rio claimed fourth, followed by JJ Bolger (The Rower) on Castlehill Lily in fifth and Francis Downes (Rathangan) on Lady Marvell in sixth.

Derby and Accumulator Competitions

The championships also featured derby competitions where there were wins for Aoife Maguire (Kilossery) in the RC 110 & RC 120 Derby,  Brian Dunne (Mo Chara) on Quarrycrest River Dancer  in the RC 100 section, and Carolyn Matthews (Ard Lu) on Capitol Warrior in the RC 90 section. Paul McDonald (Nuenna Farm) on Blondie My Merry Buddy won the RC 80 accumulator while Jenny Bates (Drynam) on  Mountain Dew Boy claimed the RC 70 accumulator.

Open Classes

This was the first year AIRC ran open classes at the Show Jumping Championships and well supported on the day. Julie Anne Prenderville (Meath) on Mr Grange Benjamin won the RC 90 Open,  Jack Martin (Greenhills) on Concordes Cruise Queen won the RC 80 Open, while Patricia O’Brien (Greenhills) on Princess Mindy won the RC 70 Open.

Official Photographers

Jumpinaction.net were the official photographers of this year’s Connolly’s RED MILLS AIRC National Show Jumping Championships at Mullingar Equestrian.

Click here to view and purchase your photos from the show.

Photo Credit:  photos by Jumpinaction.net