A sterling effort by Clem McMahon at the Belfast International Horse Show this afternoon failed to close the considerable gap with IJM TimberFrame League leader Olive Clarke, but provided a masterly display of horsemanship in a three-horse jump-off.
Richie Moloney came out first on 'Apolinaire', and the large audience at the Odyssey arena had a sharp intake of breath as he lowered one pole for four faults.
McMahon, next to jump on the stunning nine year-old bay stallion 'Hermes de Reve', had a foot-perfect round, and it was all down to Sheila White on Waterside Stud's 'Millennium Cavalier' to better the Monaghan man's time of 30.34.
But, though jumping a magnificent clear, White finished the course just over two seconds behind McMahon, and placed second.
Afterwards, the jubilant winner said: "I am very grateful to IJM TimberFrame for sponsoring this wonderful league. It has been a terrific experience, and I was delighted to win the final competition".
McMahon's points at Belfast brought him to second place in the final league standings, just two points behind outright winner Olive Clarke. James Kernan finished third in the standings after a consistent indoor season.
