Young Riders stole the headlines at the HSI/Blue Grass Spring Tour Shows at Kernan's and Upper Mace this weekend as the Under 21 category took both legs of the league.
At Kernan's Equestrian Centre in Crossmaglen, Sophie Dalm took her debut win at Senior level with her mother, Amanda's Vaillant S in a thrilling Jump off.
It was very much a case of Youth beating experience, as Dalm took the class ahead of Centre owner, James Kernan. Having had several places already this year courtesy of Sunday's winner and her other main mount, Unique, Dalm shot to the top with a clear in 34.21.
James Kernan did all he could to catch the Young Rider riding Premier Sport for Dominic Rice but was almost two seconds short of Dalm's time in 36.49.
Charlene Clingan placed previously at Portmore and she went a couple of places better on Easter Sunday, again with Square One as she slotted into third place just short of Kernan's time in 36.88.
Catherine Thornton then took fourth with Milano while Suzanne Posnett was fifth with a new mount for 2013, Couleur Fama Sr Z. Gerard Clarke was the fastest of the four faulters with Colorado as they stopped the clock in 34.47 to take sixth.
At Upper Mace on Easter Monday, there was a similar story as Young Riders filled the first two places with Daren Hopkins taking the win on Mt Cruise with reigning National Champion, Michael Duffy in second.
This year's Spring Tour has provided several riders with their debut wins at Senior Level and Daren Hopkins joins the list winning his first Senior Grand Prix with the experience Cruising gelding, Mt Cruise.
Previously ridden by Matt and Jonathan Gordon, the impressive Mt Cruise has been a prolific winner throughout his career and he is now following on with Hopkins taking a thrilling victory in a time of 33.53.
Reigning National Show Jumping Champion, Michael Duffy took second with Harold MacGahern's consistent 8 Year Old, Coco Chic. Having been a winner in 2012 in several 6/7 Year Old classes, including the Championship at the Kilmeague International Show, Coco Chic slotted into second with a fine double clear in 34.08.
Thomas O'Brien has a new mount for 2013 with Niamh Keogh's Ullrich and they started out their partnership nicely with a third place just .02 seconds slower than Duffy's. O'Brien also took fourth with Sean Mulkern's Minnie Clover.
Damien Griffin placed fifth with Tabby while Michael Duffy also took sixth with Carthago II Z.
The next leg of the HSI/Blue Grass Spring Tour takes place next Sunday at Barnadown.
HSI/BLUE GRASS SPRING TOUR KERNANS
1 Sophie Dalm/Vaillant S 0/0 34.21
2 James Kernan/Premier Sport 0/0 36.49
3 Charlene Clingan/Square One 0/0 36.88
4 Catherine Thornton/Milano 0/0 37.77
5 Suzanne Posnett/Couleur Fama 0/0 41.30
6 Gerard Clarke/Colorado 0/4 34.47.
25 Starters 13 to Jump Off
HSI BLUEGRASS SPRING TOUR UPPERMACE
1st Darren Hopkins YR/ Mt Cruise 0/0 33.53
2nd Michael Duffy/Coco Chic 0/0 34.08
3rd Thomas O Brien /Uiirich 0/0 34.10
4th Thomas O Brien/ Minnie Clover 0/0 35.59
5th Damien Griffin / Tabby 0/0 35.59
6th Michael Duffy / Carthago 0/0 37.26
25 Starters 12 to Jump Off
Best Turned Out Damien Griffin and Tabby