New European U18 Champion Kate Derwin edges former World Champion Dermot Lennon to win HSI/TRM Hew Heights Champions Series at Maryville

Just over two weeks after being crowned U18 European Show Jumping champion, Athlone’s Kate Derwin has recorded another significant win, after beating many of Ireland’s top senior riders to take victory in the TRM/Horse Sport Ireland New Heights Champions Series at Maryville in Co Cork.

Kate Derwin and Deep Pockets came out on top in the TRM/Horse Sport Ireland New Heights Champions Series at Maryville

One of six riders to make it into the second round jump-off, Kate Derwin and the 10-year-old gelding Deep Pockets, who is owned by Jim Derwin, shaved almost a second off the target that had been set by former World Champion Dermott Lennon with Gelvins Touch. Lennon would take runner-up spot ahead of Tim MacDonagh in third with Hollypark Galloway, while Francis Connors partnered Erne Ladygoldilocks to a fourth place finish to move Connors to the top of the leaderboard heading into the final of the series. All of the top five finishers at Maryville jumped double clear rounds, including Wesley Ryan who finished fifth with Quinar De Cassini, while sixth place went to Liam O’Meara with Oldtown KC.

Speaking after taking her latest win, Kate Derwin said:

“I didn’t think I was going to catch Dermott [Lennon] but I knew he [Deep Pockets] was a naturally fast horse. I knew coming in that he warmed up very well and when I got fence 13 out of the way – it was a big airy vertical – after that I knew I could kick on.”

Just the final round of the 2019 TRM/Horse Sport Ireland New Heights Champions Series now remains and will take place at The Irish Breeders Classic in Barnadown Co Wexford on Saturday August 31st.