A Galway win in Cork! – Final of the Bucas Ladies League
The final leg of The Bucas National Ladies League took place in a sun drenched Cork Show Grounds last Sunday for the 40th annual Whites Cross Charity Show, where a stellar line out of ladies battled it out for the Championship title.
Thirty two starters took on the Tony Hurley designed track which yielded fourteen clear rounds for the timed decider.
Victory went to Galway’s Jessica Lee, riding Evan Flynn’s, Harry Beau Bay, a 12 year old gelding by VDL Arkansas. Drawn early in the class, Lee was one of only six double clear rounds and found the fastest route home when logging a time of 30.56 seconds.
Luck may not have been on the side of her native athletes who lined out at Croke Park Sunday afternoon for the big game but there were plenty of smiles when the Galway local claimed the Bucas National Ladies Champion title and took home a share of the €2,500 which was on offer.
Lee commented, ‘’I’m thrilled with the win here today in Cork, it was well worth the drive down from Galway this morning. I’d like to thank Evan Flynn for the ride on Harry, he’s a super horse, I couldn’t be happier with him. I’d also like to thank Bucas for their support and sponsorship of this new league, fingers crossed they will continue to support it.’’
Josephine Townend took the runner-up position with One Luck Strike. Townend had held the lead in the fourteen strong jump-off when the clock recorded 30.81 seconds with nothing to add.
Elizabeth Bowen put in a solid attempt at a double clear with Coevers Dream but wasn’t quick enough and had to settle for eventual third place in the line-up.
Limerick native, Carolin Huuva coming through on a clear round scored a time of 32.18 with Caspian finishing in fourth.
Eimear Buckley, double handed in the jump off had to contend with fifth place on board Pepp as a slight mishap with her second mount Heather Revel at the last saw the pair part company.
Emma Walsh filled the final place in the top six with Maryville Cassies Diamond in a time of 38.56.
Bucas National Ladies League Final Result
Sponsored by Bucas Ireland.
1st J. Lee Harry Beau Bay 0/0/30.56
2nd J. Townend One Lucky Strike 0/0/30.81
3rd E. Bowen Coevers Dream 0/0/31.27
4th C. Huuva Caspian 0/0/32.18
5th E. Buckley Pepp (FEI) 0/0/34.16
6th E. Walsh Marryville Cassies Diamond 0/0/38.56