Star Derwin further enhances reputation

Riding the 11-year-old Deep Pockets, Derwin lined out in Friday’s inaugural HSI Masters at Emerald Equestrian Centre in Meath which was streamed live on RTÉ. But the pair didn’t qualify for the jump-off with two fences down in the first round.

They jumped clear first time out, and got the best of the draw against the clock in the second round. And the Westmeath rider put the result beyond doubt with a superb run that stopped the clock on 40.89 seconds.

Derwin already has a formidable reputation, winning team gold in the 2017 Pony European Championships at Kaposvar in Hungary in 2017 riding the little grey mare, Cul Ban Mistress, and team bronze at the Junior Europeans in Fontainebleau in 2018 riding Whiterock Cruise Down.

Then, again with the same horse, she galloped to individual gold and team bronze at the 2019 Junior Europeans in Zuidwolde in the Netherlands where she sang the Irish national anthem from the podium.

Wicklow man Murphy, who is head rider for Duffy Sporthorses in Mayo, set the target at 42.50 seconds with the 11-year-old chestnut mare Ardnacashel Couvella when first into the timed round. And that proved untouchable until Derwin skated in 0.39 seconds faster.

Third place went to 30-year-old Canadian, Rebecca McGoldrick, who has been based with former world champion, Dermott Lennon, in Banbridge in Co Down for the last few years and who broke the beam in 43.01 seconds with Fleur V.