SINEAD KENNEDY PROVES TOO HOT TO HANDLE AS KEC ALICANTE LEADS FROM THE FRONT TO TAKE THE SECOND ROUND OF THE MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEAGUE AT BALINAMONA CO WATERFORD

Sinead Kennedy and KEC Alicante on their way to winning the latest round of the Munster Grand Prix League in Ballinamona. (Sonya Dempsey)

Co Kerry’s Sinead Kennedy produced a stunning jump –off win in the second round of the Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League at Balinamona Co Waterford today, (Sunday) picking up the lions share of the 2,000 euro on offer from sponsors O Shea O Toole Auctioneers and the Munster Region of ShowjumpingIreland.

A large field of 54 horses and riders went to post for the feature class with 8 of those making it into the jump off.
First out of the traps was Sinead Kennedy with her father Bill Kennedy’s home bred KEC Alicante.  This eleven year old gelding by Gildawn Diamond has had numerous top placings including a win in last years Guidam Grand Prix at Maryville and runner up finishes at Warrington and Clare Equestrian Centre. However it was clear from the off that second place was not in the mind of the Trallee rider on this occasion and she put huge pressure on the seven riders that followed when breaking the finish beam clear in 41.84 seconds.

Kilkenny’s Ger O Neill came closest but was over a second slower with Cassadee while Cork’s Sean Walsh took third with Kimberlite. Liam O Meara looks to have found a real star in ‘Mr Coolcaum’ this one just a six year old, never looked like touching a pole and were suitable delighted to take fourth place. 

Clem McMahon produced the fastest time of the day with Valintino but one fence on the floor dropped them down to fifth while Gemma Phelan was the best placed Waterford rider, taking sixth place with her own Kilcannon Brigade.

But the day belonged to Sinead Kennedy who looks to have taken her career to a new level in 2010 and is now a force to be reckoned with on the National circuit here in Ireland;  ‘’I’m really delighted to win here today, we have had quite a few second place finishes and for a while I thought the same was going to happen today but KEC Alicante jumped super and it’s all the sweeter when we bred him ourselves’’ commented a delighted Sinead Kennedy after the class.

FULL RESULT
MUNSTER ‘GREYHOUND NIGHT’ GRAND PRIX LEAGUE, BALINAMONA CO WATERFORD
SUNDAY JUNE 13th 2010
1. Sinead Kennedy, KEC Alicante, C/C , 41.84
2. Ger O Neill, Cassadee, C/C , 43.14
3. Sean Walsh, Kimberlite, C/C, 43.63
4. Liam O Meara, Mr Coolcaum, C/C,  49.61
5. Clem Mc Mahon, Valentino, C/4,  42.47
6. Gemma Phelan, Kilcannon Brigade, C/4 47.05
7. Peter Smyth, Mr Blarney, C/4 57.55
8. Mili McIntyre, Vrenske Drum Vh Juxchot, C/8  42.23
54 Starters
8 Through to Jump Off

MASSIVE 20,000 EURO PRIZE FUND ON OFFER AS BALINAMONA CO WATERFORD
PLAY’S HOST TO THE COUNTRIES TOP EQUINE STARS
One of the biggest Equestrian events ever to take place in Co Waterford kicks off on Saturday June 12th 2010, as Balinamona Estate on the Old Tramore Road hosts a two day showjumping extravaganza boasting a huge 20,000 euro prize fund.

Many of Ireland’s top horses and riders are set to descend on the South East, as the picturesque venue plays host to round’s of the National and Munster Grand Prix Leagues along with the prestigious Horse Sport Ireland, Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series for young horses.

Situated just off the Waterford outer ring road,  Balinamona is now an ideal location given the completion of the new Waterford City bypass and second river crossing, and with the majority of the new M9 Motorway from Dublin to Waterford now completed, the large convoy of horse boxes and trucks can expect a hassle free journey to the venue.

Renowned International course builder Alan Wade will be on hand to test both horse and rider, the Tipperary born son of famous Irish show jumper Tommy Wade won huge acclaim for his designs at last year’s Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show and at the London International show at Olympia.

TRM NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE – SATURDAY
The action kicks off on Saturday morning with the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series - 5 year old horse qualifier, providing spectators with a chance to catch a glimpse of some future stars. This will be followed by round seven of the TRM National Grand Prix League which Waterford riders have almost claimed to themselves the past few years as Tholm Keane and Francis Connors have had a fascinating duel between them.  Reigning champion Connors has piped Aglish born Tholm Keane by the slimmest of margins for two years in a row but so far in 2010 it is West Waterford’s Tholm Keane who has started the better, winning rounds at Thomastown and Kill Co Kildare. Francis Connors will be hoping to add to his runner up placing at Ravensdale, Co Louth but the Waterford pair will face tough competition from fellow local riders and from the strong travelling contingent including Limerick’s Paul O Shea has been in spectacular form this season, and could be contender for the overall title at the year end. The 6 & 7 year old ISH Qualifier follows on Saturday afternoon while arena 2 will also feature a host of competitions throughout the day including a round of the Munster 1m 10 league. Pony riders are spoilt for choice over the two days at Balinamona and classes include the National Novice Pony League, Discovery Leagues and the Carling King Pony League, sponsored by The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store Cullencastle.

ISH SHOW JUMPING SERIES & MUNSTER GRAND PRIX - SUNDAY
Sunday’s action begins with the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series 5 year old final with a massive 4,500 euro up for grabs, while round 2 of the Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League follows with another 2,000 euro prize fund. Tholm Keane claimed the opening leg on home soil at Aglish in May but will need to be on top form to repeat the feat with Cappagh’s Gemma Phelan and Tallow’s Paul Beecher just two of those who looked impressive at the opening round.

The Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series 6 & 7 year old final rounds off the action in the main arena, with Horse Sport Ireland providing another 4,500 euro for the prize winners.

A limited numbers of stables are available @25 euro per night. More information is available from
087 6847752 or 087 2417107   Email,    vahe@eircom.net

AGLISH GYMKHANA PUTS THE ‘SHOW’ BACK IN SHOW JUMPING
AS HUGE CROWD SEE RECORDS BROKEN
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

Tholm Keane receiving his Winners Rosette from Munster Chairperson Joan Keane and Dr Richard Quirke following his win in the opening leg of the Munster Greyhound Night Grand Prix League in Aglish on Sunday

At a time when traditional horse shows held on green field site’s around Ireland face increasing challenges, such as finding sponsorship and providing good footing for horses and riders who tend to prefer to jump on artificial surfaces at equestrian centres, the annual Aglish Gymkhana held on Sunday last near Cappoquin Co Waterford, proved that with a hard working committee, imaginative classes and some help from the man above with the weather, nothing can quite beat the atmosphere of a local show.

A record breaking turnout of competitors and spectators were treated to an action packed day of action, blessed with glorious sunshine, on the lands of William and Caroline O Brien at Kilmolash, held in aid of West Waterford Hospice Home Care Support Team.

IN FORM KEANE WINS ON HOME SOIL
The feature class of the day was the first round of the Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League which will take in eight rounds throughout the province with 17,000 euro up for grabs along the way. With a start list of forty horses and riders, course builder Tom Holden built a suitably challenging track with fence one catching quite a few out in the first round. With his usual design brilliance, Holden gauged the field to perfection with eight riders making it through fault free to the jump-off.

 It almost turned into a Co Waterford white- wash with six of the eight coming from the Deise County. Kilkenny’s Michael  Hutchison bucked the trend and in Puissance sired mare ‘Cullenagh Lucinda’ he looks to have found a real star, eventually finishing seventh with one fence down in the clock round. Co Cork’s Sean Walsh was another who grabbed some of the 2,000 euro on offer from sponsors ‘Aglish Gymkhana’ with a smart clear (44.89 seconds) with the Robert Splaine owned ‘Billiebob’.  Cappagh Co Waterford lady rider Gemma Phelan set the early pace with her own ‘Kilcannon Brigade’ stopping the clock clear in 42.62 seconds which was good enough to eventually take fifth place.

This Aglish Grand Prix had been billed as a battle between Francis Connors and Tholm Keane and the Waterford duo as usual didn’t disappoint, by filling the top four places between them. A clear in 40.02 seconds with Westwinds Cirracruise left Connors in fourth with his first mount, while Keane took third with Walterstown Clover (39.28). However in a thrilling climax the Ronan Tynan owned Redmills Krafty Jack who looks in the form of his life, was untouchable on the day with Tholm Keane trusting the Diamond Serpent gelding all the way in a blistering time of 36.44 seconds for a memorable win. Last to go with ‘Lismore Coasting’, Francis Connors gave it everything but had to settle for runner up spot with a time of 38.62.

‘’Normally he (Krafty Jack) puts on too much weight during the winter, and it is really difficult to get him fit at this time of year. But we seem to have managed to keep him in better shape this year and he was brilliant here today, it was especially nice to win on home soil’’, commented Tholm Keane afterwards.

NEW AGLISH HIGH JUMP RECORD SET, AS WATERFORD TRIO SHARE THE SPOILS
A real crowd pleaser last year, the Aglish high jump once again thrilled spectators this term when a field of eight horses and riders produced a super exhibition of power jumping. The record set in 2009 of 1m 80cm looked vulnerable from the outset and at the finish a new high jump record of 1m 92cm (6 ft 3inches) was set with three Co Waterford born riders sharing the 1,000 first prize from sponsors Molastin Compost. Francis Connors (Heracross), Mark O Sullivan (Milord de Kerganne) and Paddy O Donnell (Orman) all cleared the huge fence after the final fifth round of jumping.

SPEED DERBY HEADS WEST YET AGAIN
For the second year in a row Galway’s Amanda Fahy travelled from Co Galway to land the Speed Derby sponsored by Fran Mangan Builders, after a blistering round with ‘Lackhyle Limited Edition’. and in an emotional moment for the Aglish Gymkhana committee, collected the Addie Buckley memorial trophy.
The opening class in the main arena headed to Co Kildare when Maynooth’s Michael White and ‘High Park Lad’ claimed the Catherine Cummins Memorial Trophy in the 1 20m, sponsored by Lissava Stud, with Tallow’s Paul Beecher taking the runner up spot with Loughnatusa Kim.
The pony riders once again provided their own unique style of entertainment, not least in the ‘Clothes Horse Equestrian Store’ sponsored Carling King Pony League where clear rounds were the order of the day from a talented group of future stars.
Among the many winners on the day was Jack O Donoghue who landed the ‘Bike and Ride’ competition which was sponsored by FBD Insurances. Aime Moloney from Colligan, Dungarvan collected the Lelia Veale Perpetual Cup when winning the 148, 1 20m, with the Catherine Kiely owned Mighty Patch.
The organizers of Aglish Gymkhana should take a bow, with excellent commentary from all four jumping arena’s, classes run off in prompt fashion and prize money paid out on the day (making it all the sweeter), just some of the ingredients that make it one of Ireland’s top annual equestrian events!

Madaline Roberts Allen receives her prize for her in the Final leg of the Ballymaloe Country Relish Ladies Final in Maryville

Another beautiful dry Irish Autumnal morning , riders walking their course , the scene was set for what turned out to be an unexpected treasure for late September and a memorable day for our Lady riders as they fought in battle in the Ballymaloe Country Relish National Ladies Final which ran on Sunday 27 September last at Maryville Stables Carrigaline.

The first horse entered the well dressed arena at 09.30 sharp. 16 of a field of  31 jumped a first round clear  in this 2000 Euro class very kindly sponsored by Jasmine Hyde of Ballymaloe Country Relish., This league has now certainly established itself on the National showjumping circuit with qualifiers in all four provinces and the Co Cork venue for this year's final was delighted to welcome competitors from as far north as Donegal and Sligo.

However it was a local young rider who shone the brightest on the day as Cork teenager Madeline Robert Allen from Bandon won the class on her mothers 15 hand roan Fast Silver mare, Pleasant Cherry Blaze. Madeline was 0.25 of a second faster than the very competitive Phoebe Bright ,who had to be content with second place in the class with her old reliable Grey gelding Pitts Special. The top 6 in the line up all hailed from co. Cork.

The League presentation followed the jump off and Helen Clarence, a textile Jeweller now based in Cork presented a magnificent Necklace and Bracelet to league winner Martha Healy .The runner up, who was in fact last years winner, Lindsey Daly also received her prize.

The organising committee would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the ladies who competed in the league making it the success story it has become, to the venues who hosted the qualifiers, the Cork Kerry branch for hosting this year’s final and to our sponsors, Ballymaloe Country Relish and HelenClarence.com and we look forward to an even better  2010 season.

SHOWJUMPING IRELAND NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE – KEANE WINS FINAL ROUND BUT LEAGUE TITLE GOES TO CONNORS FOR THE ELEVENTH TIME.
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

Yesterday’s final round of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League at Newcastle Show in Co Wicklow provided the perfect conclusion to another splendid season of outdoor Show jumping with Waterford’s Francis Connors eventually crowned league champion for the eleventh time, despite a brave challenge from fellow Waterford rider Tholm Keane.

For the third year in succession these two riders battled it out on the final day of action with Keane hoping to make it third time lucky, having been pipped at the death in 2007 and again in 2008 by the relentless Connors. Having won the penultimate round at Iverk Show in Piltown a fortnight ago Connors was in the driving seat with an eleven point advantage over his nearest challenger Keane who himself was in a rich run of form having won four Grand Prix’s in a row before the Iverk round.

The mathematics were pretty simple before yesterday’s shoot out, Keane had to either win and hope Connors finished in no better than 8th place, alternatively Keane could still win the league if he finished in second place yesterday, and Connors finished outside the top ten.

To his immense credit Tholm Keane produced a superb performance, entering the arena as second last to jump he piloted the Ronan Tynan owned stallion, ‘Warrenstown U 2’ to an immaculate clear round in 39.75 seconds to take the lead. 

Last to go was Francis Connors with Sean Hayden’s Lundy Lad and from the off the reining champion set off at speed hoping for a high placing but four faults mid round saw Tholm Keane win yesterday’s round to blow the league title wide open. Another fence down would have definitely cost Connors the championship, while Francis also had to keep one eye on the clock as he needed to finish ahead of Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney who was lying in 7th spot. Connors crossed the finish beam with four faults in 41.38 seconds, just .44 of a second ahead of Moloney to take 7th place on the day but more importantly picking up three priceless league points to give the Kill native a record eleventh National Grand Prix League title along with the 6,000 euro  purse for the leading rider.

A delighted Connor’s said afterwards ‘’ I am thrilled it’s over for another year. The horses have been going well throughout the season. I would like to thank all my owners for their support’’.

While Keane may have had to settle for the runner-up position on the league table, he can only be pleased with his incredible finish to the outdoor season that saw him win five of the last six competitions including Sunday’s €10,000 Bloxham Stockbrokers and Fund managers sponsored grand prix while he also collected €3000 for placing second on the league table,  Ronan Tynan’s stallion, Warrenstown You 2 was also crowned the leading horse of the League

Speaking afterwards, Keane commented: “I was delighted with how the horse went today. I never mind losing to Francis. I knew I had to win and I delivered the best result today. The rest was in the lap of the Gods”.

This latest win completes a three in a row for Connors who has completely dominated the Irish National Grand Prix circuit for the last two decades. It is only when you see his achievements in black and white ink that you begin to appreciate the enormity of what the quietly spoken Woodstown born equestrian star has done since his first win almost two decades ago. The full list of former winners now reads as follows, 1990 F Connors,1991 F Connors,1992 F Connors,1993 F Connors,1994 F Connors, 1995 F Connors,1996 Marion Hughes,1997 F Connors,1998 Clem McMahon,1999 Tom Slattery, 2000 Tom Slattery,2001 Tom Slattery, 2002 F Connors, 2003 Peter Smith, 2004 Joint Winners Conor Swail & Shane Breen, 2005 Cian O Connor, 2006 Conor Swail, 2007 F Connors,2008 F Connors and now 2009 Francis Connors.

You may notice ‘’Fra’’ began with five in a row in 1990. After registering three in a row following his latest triumph , what price for him to go on add to this in 2010!, pretty short I think.
 
SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE FINAL ROUND – NEWCASTLE SHOW CO WICKLOW SUNDAY SEPT EMBER 27th SPONSORED BY BLOXHAM STOCKBROKERS
 
1.      Tholm Keane – Warrenstown You 2 (Ronan Tynan)    0/0 39.75
2.      Alexander Butler – Keeford Topcat (John Higgins snr) 0/0 40.26
3.      Dermot Lennon – Hallmark Elite, (JW Rosbotham)       0/0 42.60
4.      Edward Little –Kalvinretto, (David Prentice BMW)        0/0 44.55
5.      Annemarie Fitzpatrick- Finders keepers ,( Harry Fitzpatrick) 0/0 47.58
6.      Dermot Lennon -  Tolett, (Allan Davidson)                      0/0 48.23
7.      Francis Connors- Lundy Lad, (Sean Hayden)                   0/4  41.38
8.      Eddie Moloney- Chatsworth Dan (John Mc Donald)      0/4  41.82
 
SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE 2009
OVERALL LEAGUE CHAMPION - FRANCIS CONNORS   88.5 POINTS
RUNNER UP                                  -THOLM KEANE           88    POINTS

KEANE MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW TO SET UP MOUTH WATERING FINAL ROUND OF THE SHOWJUMPING IRELAND NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

West Waterford’s Tholm Keane made it an incredible four straight Grand Prix wins in a row on Sunday last at the penultimate round of the Showjumping Ireland National league, held at Barnadown Stud in Gorey Co Wexford.
Just a few weeks ago this league looked destined to be added to the history books with most observers expecting a record 12th national title for Francis Connors, who held a massive 27 point lead over his nearest rival. After his win at Boswell Equestrian Centre in Co Wicklow on August 23rd  Tholm Keane was playing down his chances of catching league leader Connors, and commented that the best he could probably hope for was to finish runner up. A week later the league featured a double header at Cavan and Ennis where Aglish Native Keane again finished top of the pile at both rounds,  to close the gap on his fellow Waterford rider to just 5 points.

With last Thursday’s  Iverk Show in Pilltown falling victim to the weather, Keane was left with just two more rounds to overtake Connors beginning at Barnadown, where 40 horses and riders went to post, hoping for a share of the 3,000 euro on offer from sponsors Barnadown Tack Shop. One of those to exit on the four fault mark was Fenor’s Paddy O Donnell, who looked to be heading for a clear round before knocking the last fence aboard ‘’Orman’’, a mount he only began riding a few weeks ago.

After an exciting jump off Tholm Keane made it four wins in a row, crossing the finish beam with a double clear round in 38.94 seconds with the Ronan Tynan owned stallion Warrenstown U2. This son of ‘’Narcos’’ missed a large portion of last season through injury and has shown in the last few weeks just how important a member to the Warrenstown stables he is. Kilkenny’s Ger O Neill finished just over a second slower to take runner up spot with I Ceasar, but more importantly was the third place finisher Francis Connors and Lundy Lad (who last week wrapped up the Munster Grand Prix league). Although having to watch rival Keane claim the winners rosette, the points gained for finishing in third yesterday by the reining champion, means he still leads the Showjumping Ireland National Grand Prix league going into the final round at Newcastle Co Wicklow next Sunday.

So for the third year in a row these two Waterford riders will head into the final leg locked together in a battle for the title which guarantees almost  10,000 euro to the winner. On both previous occasions Connors has come out on top, although both riders will be somewhat relived that Newcastle is the venue for next weeks finale, as at Boswell in 2007 and in 2008 both Keane and Connors couldn’t manage a top three finish. With fifteen league points to the winner at Newcastle,  Tholm Keane will make it third time lucky if he manages to keep his winning streak going for one more round. With just two points separating the two Deise colleagues, another dramatic climax to the National League is guaranteed.

WATERFORD HORSE CARMENA Z SELECTED FOR INTERNATIONAL DUTY

Waterford owned stallion 'Carmena Z' has been named on the Irish team for the Canadian Nations Cup this Saturday, at the world famous 'Spruce Meadows' venue in Calgary.

Owned and bred by Carmel and Dermot Ryan from Grange Park Road in Waterford City, Carmena Z at just 9 years old, becomes one of the youngest horses to be selected for the Irish team this season following impressive display's at some of Europe's top shows. Spruce Meadows is one of the biggest Show jumping venues on the globe, and as well as the Nations Cup competition, will feature a Grand Prix worth One Million Dollars.

Tipperary rider Shane Breen takes up the reins aboard Carmena Z having formed an impressive partnership, with the Queen's Cup at Hickstead in England among their past victories.

Speaking at the weekend following the team announcement Horse Sport Ireland team manager Robert Splaine said: "Spruce Meadows is of course one of the biggest shows in the world. It is a prestigious event with which to round off what has been a successful season for the Irish squads. We had a very good performance at the European Championships in Windsor last week, and Spruce Meadows will be a fitting conclusion to senior show jumping's high performance programme for 2009."

Team in full;
Shane Breen; Carmena Z
Cameron Hanley; Southwind VDL
Dermott Lennon; Hallmark Elite
Cian O'Connor; Rancorrado

BANTEER GYMKHANA SCALES NEW HEIGHT’S AS RIDERS FLOCK TO SHARE 20,000 EURO PRIZE FUND,
CONNORS CLAIMS MUNSTER ‘GREYHOUND NIGHT’ GRAND PRIX LEAGUE TITLE WHILE
THOLM KEANE MAKES IT THREE NATIONAL GRAND PRIX WINS IN A ROW
BY BRIAN HENNESSY 

Waterford's Francis Connors was  crowned Munster 'Greyhound Night' Grand Prix League champion for 2009 at the Banteer Show in Maryville Stables, Carrigaline Co Cork on Saturday last, forming part of a superb weekends action which attracted some of Ireland’s top equestrian stars to Co Cork.

Heading into the final round Connors knew just one league point would guarantee him the title, but if he failed to do so, fellow Waterford rider Gemma Phelan was waiting in the wings to take advantage.

A tough course designed by British visitor Peter Gillespie saw just nine of the fifty five starters through to the jump off. One notable absentee from the second round was last weeks Limerick  Show winner Gemma Phelan who looked to be heading for the perfect round with her own ‘Killcannon Brigade’’ only to agonizingly suffer a refusal at the last fence, +  to end any hopes she had of lifting the overall title. Another to exit on the four fault mark was Co Cork’s Sean Walsh with the Coolcoran Cool Diamond sired ‘Kimberlite’.  League leader Connors had four horses entered but was out of luck with trio Westwinds Cirracruise, Cooldaragha Murphy and Lundy Lad who all picked up faults to rule them out of the jump-off. With the Hugh Fitzpatrick owned Erne Brigade, Francis Connors made no mistake jumping the perfect clear round to join eight other competitors in the deciding round. As league points are awarded down to tenth place this pushed the eleven times National Champion over the finish line regardless of his finishing position against the clock and it was no surprise when he retired in the jump off after picking up 4 faults safe in the knowledge that the 2009 Munster Grand Prix title was his along with a cheque for 5,000 euro. Victory in Saturday’s Grand Prix went to Northern Ireland visitor Jordan Coyle, who amazingly at just 16 years old, filled the first two places finishing first with ‘’Pirate’’ and second with ‘’Larco Gii’’ to take a large portion of the 4,000 euro on offer from Co sponsors ‘’Spy Coast Farms U.S.A’’, Munster region of ShowjumpingIreland and the S.J.I sports development fund. Kilkenny’s Lisa O Farrell finished in third with Tipperary’s Seamus Hayes in fourth.

Part funded by the Munster Region of Show jumping Ireland through the generosity of contributors to  a fundraiser at Cork greyhound Stadium last year, the aptly named Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League has attracted the cream of the sport to show jumping venue's throughout Munster and a delighted Francis Connors paid tribute to the organizers afterwards, ‘’I’m delighted to win the league title, It has been another very successful Munster League as it helps riders to give horses the experience needed to step up to grand prix level, while it is also the perfect stepping stone for our young riders. I would like to thank the organizers and in particular to everyone who contributed to the Greyhound Night Fundraiser at Cork Greyhound Stadium.

After Horses took centre stage on Saturday it was the turn of the ponies yesterday (Sunday) as the top pony riders from all over Ireland descended on Banteer Show where the finals of the Premiere Pony Grand Prix League provided the main attraction. This league has been running since the first round in Co Louth last April and is Co

Sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland, ShowjumpingIreland and O’Brien’s Saddlery. First up in the main arena was the 128 grade sponsored by G.E Healthcare & McKenzie transport, for the smallest ponies and as quite often happens these diminutive equines served up a cracking competition. Jumped over three rounds just one combination managed a foot perfect ‘’Triple clear round’’ with the cheers from Carigaline heard as far away as Cork City when Ellen Sweetnam from Kanturk steered father Bara Sweetnam’s ‘’The Little Hero’’ to a famous victory on home soil, to add to the National 128 pony title this pair won last week at the National Pony Championships in Mullingar. Wexford’s Lucy Allen finished runner up with Aoife Mc Donagh making the long trip from Co Galway worthwhile finishing in third.

The 138 pony premiere league title sponsored by Eclipse Feeds and Sam Dennigan,  headed east with Enniscorthy’s Bertram Allen steering ‘’Lough Gill’’ to pole position just ahead of Co Clare’s Laura Costello in second with Jordan Kilkenny in third.

The 148 Premiere Pony final sponsored by O Brien’s Saddlery of Bandon and Middleton saw Jordan Coyle, who won the Munster Grand prix against the senior riders the day before, score another win this time with ‘’Rock DJ, with Tom Foley in second, Tom Dunworth in third and Kanturk’s Jeremy Sweetnam a popular fourth place finisher.
Summing up what was a packed programme of jumping Banteer Gymkhana secretary Jerry Sweetnam suitably pleased, ‘’ We have had two days of top class sport here in Co Cork over the weekend, I would like to thank everyone involved and in particular our sponsors and everyone who contributed to the fundraiser at Cork Greyhound Stadium last year. The money raised has helped shows all over Munster to attract competitors and boost entries,  for that we are eternally grateful, roll on 2010!

CONNORS CLAIMS MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEAGUE

Waterford's Francis Connors was yesterday (Saturday) crowned Munster 'Greyhound Night' Grand Prix League champion at the Banteer Show in Maryville Stables, Carrigaline Co Cork.

Heading into yesterday's final round Connors knew just one league point would guarantee him the title, and his eight place finish aboard Hugh Fitzpatrick's Erne Brigade gave him the points he needed to claim the 5,000 euro winners prize. Part funded by the Munster Region of Show jumping Ireland through a fundraiser at Cork greyhound Stadium last year, the Munster Grand Prix League has attracted the cream of the sport to show jumping venue's throughout Munster.

Northern Ireland's Jordan Coyle who is just 16 years old, had a day to remember finishing in first and second in yesterday's final round of the league, taking the lions share of the 4,000 euro on offer from sponsors 'Spy Coast Farms USA' with Kilkenny's Lisa O Farrell taking third.

The ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League moves to the Co Clare Show at Ennis Show grounds today (Sunday)

Meanwhile Waterford's Tholm Keane will hope to continue his recent good run of form today (Sunday) as he chases Francis Connors who is hoping to add another National league title to the Munster title he won yesterday.

Keane has closed the gap at the top of the National League to just 6 points after winning the last two rounds at Wicklow last weekend and claiming first and second place at Cavan yesterday (Saturday).

Ennis Show grounds are celebrating the official opening of recent redevelopments which include a new arena surface and surrounding services which cost close to four hundred thousand euro

 Local T.D and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture,fisheries and food  Tony Killeen will perform the official opening.

21 horses and riders will battle it out for a 3,000 euro prize fund which is sponsored by 'Roche Pharmaceuticals'
The Co Clare Show grand prix at Ennis gets underway at 2pm today. (Sunday)

MUNSTER ‘GREYHOUND NIGHT’ GRAND PRIX LEAGUE FINAL AT BANTEER SHOW, MARYVILLE STABLES CARRIGALINE, SET TO ATTRACT IRELAND’S TOP SHOW JUMPERS WITH 20,000 EURO ON OFFER THIS WEEKEND
&
MUNSTER ORANGE & GREEN LEAGUE TABLES

After a hugely successful series that has seen massive entries at most of the league rounds, the Munster’ Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League comes to a close this weekend at The Banteer Show which is held this year at Maryville Stables in Carrigaline Co Cork.

Funded by the Munster Greyhound Night fundraiser and the ShowjumpingIreland sports development fund, the league got underway at Aglish Co Waterford back in May, where local rider Francis Connors came out on top with Cooldaragha Murphy. Connors was again winner at the next round at Maryville Stables to take a commanding lead at the top of the table this time taking the red rosette with Sean Hayden’s Lundy Lad.

Tipperary’s Joe Owens then hit a rich run of form winning the next two rounds at Limerick/ Clare and the rearranged fixture at Kennedy’s Stud in Limerick. Shane O Reilly saw off the challenge of runner up Paul Beecher to win the Charleville round before Gemma Phelan and Killcannon Brigade grabbed all ten league points when jumping the only double clear round at Limerick Show last weekend.

So ahead of this Saturday’s final round one thing that’s guaranteed is that a Waterford rider will be crowned Munster Grand Prix League Champion for 2009.  Francis Connors is firm favourite with a ten point lead while West Waterford’s Gemma Phelan will grab the title if she repeat’s last weeks Limerick victory and Connors finishes outside the points.

 With a massive field of 55 horses and riders declared for Saturday’s Grand Prix, the Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ League promises an exciting final weekends action

MUNSTER ORANGE & GREEN LEAGUE TABLES
With two qualifiers left in the Munster Orange and Green leagues at Banteer and Cork/ Kerry Gymkhana,  the league tables will be up on the ShowjumpingIreland website early next week.

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A WIN FOR THE LADIES AS WATERFORD GEMMA PHELAN CLAIMS WIN AHEAD OF LUCRATIVE MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEAGUE FINAL IN CORK THIS WEEKEND
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

(L-R) Leo Walsh (Limerick Show), Mairead McGuinness M.E.P, Gemma Phelan (GP Winner), Jim Spratt (Equimax), Mayor of Limerick Kevin Kiely, Leo Honan (Limerick Show)

Waterford's Gemma Phelan claimed a hard earned victory in the penultimate round of the Munster Grand Prix league on Sunday last at the Limerick Show in Patrickswell.

A generous purse of 3,000 euro was on offer from sponsors ‘’Equimax’’ and  ‘’C& M Vetlink’’ a Limerick based company who began with 2 people in 1973 and now employ  37 people.  C&M  Vetlink   began as main Pfizer distributor in Ireland, and now distributes for over 40 leading national and International  companies.

Only two of the twelve starters made it through fault free to the jump off as competitors found the going tough after heavy overnight rain at the racecourse venue. A third combination did manage to leave all the poles intact but Co Waterford’s  Paddy O Donnell missed out on his place in the second round after picking up one time fault with Denis Smith’s thirteen year old gelding ‘’Orman’’.

Francis Connors who leads both the Munster and National Grand Prix Leagues looked odds on to add to his list of wins, with four of the dozen horses entered in the class being ridden by the Waterford man. Unbelievably Connors first three mounts, Westwinds Cirracruise, Erne Blaze, and Lundy Lad all knocked a fence each although the trio’s times were good enough to see Francis finish in 4th, 5th and 6th places overall. John Morrisey’s ‘’Cooldaragha Murphy’’ uncharacteristically knocked two fences when last to go in the first round again under the guidance of Francis Connors.

Niamh Glashenn from Holycross in Thurles was foot perfect in round one with the 8 year old gelding ‘’Unique’’ and so was first to go against the clock but knocked the last fence in an otherwise perfect jump off display.
This opened the door for Cappagh's Gemma Phelan who knew a clear round would give her the winners red rosette and she dually obliged with Killcannon Brigade to take the lions share of the 3,000 euro on offer from sponsors Equimax.

‘’ I thought there would be a lot more clear rounds to be honest, especially with Francis (Connors) having four horses entered, but it worked out perfect for me. I had a bit of luck today as we rubbed a couple of fences in the first round but I’m delighted with Killcannon Brigade, he definitely doesn’t mind jumping in heavy ground’’, said a delighted Gemma Phelan after the competition.

Second placed Niamh Glasheen was awarded ‘’Best Turned Out’’ for her mount ‘’Unique’’ and received a generous hamper of ‘’Botanica’’ herbal skincare suppliers from Sean Cooney of Botanica International
Botanica are a herbal skincare supplier based in Ireland, who manufacture a range of natural skin care products with many applications, particularly for treating wounds and infections for animals and humans.

Among their satisfied customers is leading race horse trainer ‘’Willie Mullins’’ who is quoted as saying ‘’We have been using the Botanica range of products for a considerable time now on all sorts of conditions with great results cracked sore heels, mud fever, rain scald, cuts etc. The wounds heal with little or no scar tissue as the wash and cream kill off any proud flesh.

KEANE WINS NATIONAL GRAND PRIX IN WICKLOW
Meanwhile also on Sunday last at Boswell equestrian center in Co Wicklow Aglish born Tholm Keane scored a win in the National Grand Prix league with Ronan Tynan's stallion Warrenstown U2, finishing just one hundredth of a second ahead of Conor Swail. This win moves Keane closer to league leader Francis Connors at the top of the table.

MUNSTER GREYHOUND NIGHT GRAND PRIX LEAGUE AT LIMERICK SHOW - FULL RESULT
 RIDER HORSE                                    FAULTS                   TIME
1. GEMMA PHELAN,       KILLCANNON BRIGADE;            C/C                        45.36
2. NIAMH GLASHEEN,     UNIQUE;                                      C/4                       45.21
3. PADDY O DONNELL,    ORMAN;                                      1/                          82.96
4. FRANCIS CONNORS,    WESTWINDS CIRRACRUISE      4/                          73.77
5. FRANCIS CONNORS,     ERNE BLAZE;                              4/                          74.12
6. FRANCIS CONNORS,     LUNDY LAD;                               4/                          76.74
7. LIAM O MEARA,           LITTLE MISS HICKSTEAD;           4/                          77.13
8. SEAN ELLY,                     HIS LORDSHIP CRUISE;              6/                          88.06
9. FRANCIS CONNORS,     COOLDARAGHA MURPHY;       8/                          75.70
10. GARY CUSACK,              CLINTON;                                      8/                         77.47

12 STARTERS 2 THROUGH TO JUMP OFF
BANTEER SHOW AT MARYVILLE STABLES CARRIGALINE SET TO ATTRACT IRELAND’S TOP SHOW JUMPERS WITH 20,000 EURO ON OFFER THIS WEEKEND
 Francis Connors still heads the table ahead of the final of the Munster league at Banteer show next weekend. With a prize fund of almost 20,000 euros on offer over two day’s of top class Show Jumping, the Banteer Show at Maryville Stables in Carrigaline Co Cork will attract many of Ireland’s top equestrian stars. Saturday’s highlight will be the final round of the Munster ‘’Greyhound Night’’ Grand Prix League which is sponsored to the tune of 4,000 euro by ‘’Spy Coast Farm’s U.S.A’’ and the S.J.I sports development fund. An additional 5,000 euro will go to the overall league winner. Also on Saturday there will be a qualifier for the Cavan Classic 5 year old final sponsored by Cork company ‘’Total Produce Irl Ltd’’. The Ballymaloe ladies 1m 10 qualifier is always a popular competition and this will round off the day’s action in Arena 1.

Arena 2 feature’s the final round of the Munster 1m 10 horse league with current leader Mark O  Sullivan from Butlerstown in Waterford hoping to land the league title which carries a generous purse of 2,000 euro thanks to sponsors  ‘’Sweet Oak Farm’’.

On Sunday the attention at the Banteer show will turn to Ireland’s top pony riders who have been competing at various venues throughout the country ahead of this weekends Grand Final.

The 128 Premier Pony final is sponsored by G.E Healthcare & Paul Mc Kenzie Transport with 1,000 euro on offer, while the 138 ponies will also have a cool ‘’grand’’ to fight it out for thanks to Eclipse Feeds and Sam Dennigan.

The 148 Premier Pony league final is sponsored by O’Brien’s Saddlery of Bandon and Midleton with another 1,000 euro up for grabs, while the 148 six and seven year old’s will have 500 euro to play for thanks to ‘’Espersell Ltd’.

Banteer Show secretary Jerry Sweetnam is looking forward to a busy weekend,
‘’ We have a huge prize fund on offer this Saturday and Sunday and many of Ireland’s top riders and horses will be arriving in Co Cork. I would like to thank all our very generous sponsors without whom this massive event wouldn’t take place. I would also appeal to the people of Cork to come along to Maryville Stables in Carrigaline this weekend as this is perfect opportunity to see close up, many of the stars who competed a couple of weeks ago at the Dublin Horse Show. It will be a great occasion for all the family, not to be missed’’

ALLTECH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – INJURY BLOW TO IRELAND SQUAD
Meanwhile Horse Sport  Ireland  confirmed late last night (Sunday) that  Tipperary’s Denis Lynch and 'Lantinus' will not now be part of the Irish squad due to compete at the European Show Jumping Championships in Windsor, England later this week.

The bay gelding 'Lantinus' was withdrawn from the squad due to a slight injury which means that under veterinary advice the horse will have to be rested for about four weeks.

Denis Lynch said last night: "I am extremely disappointed at this development. We have been building up to these championships all year, but it is in the best interests of the horse that he is rested. I do, however, wish the rest of the team the very best of luck at Windsor this week."

Team Manager Robert Splaine from Belgooly Co Cork  commented: "Losing 'Lantinus' from the European squad is a major blow, as he is one of the most talented horses in the world, and he and Denis were amongst our strongest combinations for the championships."

Horse Sport Ireland will be announcing a replacement for 'Lantinus' on the European Squad later today. Cork’s Billy Twomey is among the four Irish riders who remain in the squad and he will ride his St Gallen Grand Prix winning horse’’ Je t’Aime Flamenco’’ as the Irish bid to be among the medals although they now face an uphill battle after the loss of ‘’ Lantinus’’.

THREE MUNSTER RIDERS NAMED AS HORSE SPORT IRELAND ANNOUNCES SHOW JUMPING SQUAD FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, WHILE MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEAGUE RESUMES AT LIMERICK  SHOW THIS WEEKEND.
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

Horse Sport Ireland team manager, Cork man Robert Splaine announced at the weekend the Irish squad for the Alltech European Show Jumping Championships to take place in Windsor in the UK from August 26th to 30th.

The Munster province is well represented with three of the five riders selected coming from the region. Aga Khan team member  from last week Cork’s Billy Twomey is named with ‘’Je t’Aime Flamenco’’ (Owner Sue Davies) in the five man team which also includes Sligo's Darragh Kerins with ‘’Night Train’’ (Owner Double H Farm), Tipperary's  Denis Lynch and ‘’Lantinus’’ (Owner Flaminia Straumann), Cian O’Connor rides ‘’Rancorrado‘’ (Owner Aileen Bryan)and the youngest member of the squad twenty four year old Thomas Ryan from Thurles Co Tipperary who partners Urleven van de Helle (Owner Gloria Eschenbach).

Speaking after the announcement Belgooly native Robert Splaine said that the selection had been very difficult.

“I went to Dublin expecting that the Aga Khan team there would make selecting the Championship team obvious, but it didn’t work out that way and I have had to rethink my plans,” he said.

He explained the reasons for his selection: "Darragh Kerins and 'Night Train' had good form in the US and then came to Europe and jumped a double clear on our winning team in Falsterbo. Darragh confirmed his selection with a very good showing in Dublin. "Denis Lynch and ‘Lantinus’ are an obvious and automatic choice, while Cian O'Connor and ‘Rancorrado’ delivered consistent performances in Nations' Cups at Aachen and Hickstead, and jumped a solid second round in the Aga Khan competition at Dublin.

"Thomas Ryan had arrived at this level in the crucial Super League final last year in Barcelona where he did a great job for the team with ‘Urleven van de Helle’. His form dipped a little earlier in the year but he pushed himself into the frame with a very good showing in Dublin, particularly in the Grand Prix.

“While they disappointed somewhat in Dublin, Billy Twomey and ‘Je t'Aime Flamenco’ have had good form throughout the year and have shown championship potential, particularly at St Gallen where they won the Grand Prix, " he explained.

MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEAGUE VISITS LIMERICK THIS WEEKEND

The Munster ‘’Greyhound night’’ Grand Prix League resumes this weekend at the Limerick Show at Greenmount Racecourse Patrickswell. A full programme of classes for horses and ponies takes place this Saturday and Sunday (August 22nd and 23rd) with the weekend highlight Grand Prix on Sunday carrying a 3,000 euro prize fund. thanks to sponsors ‘’Equimax’’ and the Munster branch of ShowjumpingIreland. Many of Ireland’s top horses and riders will make the trip to Co Limerick including league leader Waterford’s Francis Connors, second placed Joe Owens from Tipperary and Limerick riders Michael Cusack and Niamh O Connell who are well placed on the league table.

Horse Sport Ireland Amateur Final Winner Aileen O'Connor receiving her prize from Mark Bolger of Horse Sport Ireland and Michael Hennessy of the White's Cross Charity Show

Whites Cross Chartiy Show  celebrated its 35 year in existance at the splendid surroundings of Ballindenisk Equestrian Park Watergrshill by kind permission of  The Fell Family. The  Feature Event of the day €2,500 sponsored Horse Sport Ireland Amateur Championship which attracted competitiors from all parts of the Country.   Over 50 starters lined up for Tony Hurleys demanding and technically designed course which included some very unique obstacles including the famous Fells Crannog and the wodden bicycle.    

20 cominations saw through to the jump off with the lead changing on many occasions untill Aileen O'Connor from County Waterford riding Irish Bred  Coolrua by the succesfull stallion Coolcorran Cool Diamond stopped the clock  clear in 40.21.    Nearest to match the winning time and last to go was Stephanie Cunningham from Araglan Co. Cork again on an Irish Bred Silver Glen Kyte by Telling  Tales taking runner up position clear in 42.84 in this prestigious class where the first  our places were filled by Irish Horses.

Also decided on the day was the Munster Greyhound  and the Hennessy Service Station Amateur League victory here going to Gerard Curtin from Killeagh Co. Cork with Jack Strorm stopping the clock in 30.44.  Followed home again by Aileen O'Connor and Coolrua just to be outdone to make it a famous  double on the day  being pipped in a time of 30.54.   Slotting into third place was Jeane Fitzpatrick Ballyneety Co. Limerick with Tear Drop Express who was also the run away winner of the League.

The €1,000 Sean Kelly Lucky Meadows 1.10 Grand Prix went to Midleton Co. Cork where Edel Kelly Coolnacreena Forest flashing home in a time of 38.47

The other main horse class of the day the Ballymaloe Country Relish 120 horses  again went for export, victorious here Caroline Conway from Castleconnel, Co. Limerick riding her Parents Dick & Theres Conways D.J.

Competitive jumping was also witnessed in the main open pony jumping arena.     The Evan O'Connor Cork County Fencing 12.2 cms class  being won by Kilcreen Venus & Daniel Joyce from Killeagh in County Cork.

The 138 cms Hyland Lodge Equestrian Centre here Elizabeth Devine on Knockilla Malissa took the red ribbon.

The 14.2 opens were next to take centre stage in the pony arena with the 110 Darcys hairdressing Class being  taken by William Gleeson Co. Limerick with Glounthaune Gold.

The higher grade in the 148 victorious here Carrigna bhfear Co. Cork boy James O'Reilly on Kalahari Flame.

Competitors and spectators enjoyed a hughly succesfull day of show jumping where proceeds from the show will be donated to various Charities.

IRELAND FAIL TO SHINE IN AGA KHAN BUT DOMINATE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS WHILE
MUNSTER RIDERS ENJOY A BRILLIANT WEEK IN BALLSBRIDGE
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

Limerick rider Captain Shane Carey claimed the leading Irish rider prize at the 5* Dublin Horse Show

The Irish show jumping team may not have produced the performance the home crowd wished for in Friday’s Meydan Nations Cup competition for the Aga Khan trophy but the 2009 Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show still produced some outstanding individual display’s from riders wearing the green jacket.

Friday’s Meydan Nations Cup saw the form book well and truly torn to shreds as 500/1 rank outsiders Italy lifted the famous Aga Khan trophy after a superb team performance. Already doomed to relegation from the league for the 2010 series, the Italian’s came to Dublin with a horrendous series of results over the previous seven league rounds but with a new team manager in Marcus Fuchs. The former Swiss rider Fuchs only retired after this years Nations Cup round at St Gallen and this week became the first person ever to win a Nations Cup as a rider (La Baule) and as a team manager (Dublin) in the same year. 

Ireland finished in eighth place on a total of 36 faults and could only produce one clear round, from Tipperary’s Denis Lynch and 'Lantinus', but the combination then faulted twice second time out.

Cian O' Connor and 'Rancorrado' knocked two fences in round one but improved in the second round lowering just one pole. Co Cork’s Billy Twomey and 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' had eight faults in each round but at just 9 years old Twomey will no doubt enjoy better day’s in the future with his St Gallen Grand Prix winning horse.  Cameron Hanley and 'Southwind VDL’ had eight faults in round one and were the second round discard score on 12 faults.

Ireland’s win earlier this year at Falsterbo in Sweden was no doubt the high point of a campaign that saw them finish in joint 5th position in the final league table  and safely through to the 2010 Meydan Nations Cup series.

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine said: "Friday’s result was obviously disappointing for me, but it was the end of the series and we did stay in the Meydan league for next year, and we did win one leg outright. For that I'd like to thank all the riders, owners and grooms. We were well organised and there was a great team spirit."

The overall league title for 2009 went  to a French team that only a couple of years ago were in the second division of world show jumping but have put together a strong squad mixed with youth and experience. They can now look ahead to the European Championships later this month will real hopes of claiming the gold medal.
While the Italians are relegated after finishing bottom of the ten teams despite Friday’s win, the identity of the other team to join them in the lower league next year is still to be decided. Great Britain and Belgium finished level on 22 points and it was announced at a press conference in the RDS on Friday last that the Belgian’s were the team to join Italy.  This decision was then reversed and the International Equestrian Federation will meet this week to clarify the situation.

IRELAND WIN FIVE INTERNATIONAL CLASSES DURING AN EXCELLENT WEEK FOR HOME SIDE

WATERFORD
Waterford’sPaddy O Donnell continued to make a name for himself at the top level of the sport and enjoyed a very good week at the Ballsbridge arena. Riding the Tomas Power owned Clover Flush mare Harristown Princess, O Donnell was well placed in both qualifiers for the 8 year old and over championship and in Sunday’s grand final in the main arena they finished in runner up spot after an exciting jump off.

Aglish born Tholm Keane had to undergo intensive medical treatment in the day’s leading up to last weeks show after he suffered a broken coccyx bone in a fall last week. However he showed no ill affects during his first attempt at the International classes and finished an impressive 6th in the opening Failte Stakes against some of the world’s top riders when riding the Ronan Tynan owned Warrenstown U2. In the 5 year old horse class Keane was consistently among the prizes with Warrenstown Ard Cruise finishing 3rd in the first qualifier and 5th overall in the Championship decider. Fravncis Connors and Lundy lad were well placed in the 8 year olds and over on their first outing of the week and finished up in 9th in Sunday’s Championship decider.

In the pony classes Liz O Donnell from Tallow Co Waterford had a superb week with Colligan Equestrian Centre’s Sprinters Magic. They finished in second place in Wednesday’s opening 128 pony competition and qualified for the Championship final in the main arena at the RDS on Friday where again they impressed in front of a packed audience.

LIMERICK
Limerick's Captain Shane Carey got the 2009 Dublin Horse Show off to the perfect start when he beat off the challenge of top American lady rider Laura Kraut to win Wednesday’s  opening competition ‘’The Failte Stakes’’ with River Foyle, while Cian O Connor took third spot with Splendor. Later the same day Sligo’s Darragh Kerins snatched the feature class when he finished top of the pile with the tiny gelding ‘’Night Train’’ who only stands about 15.2 hands high, after a large 24 horse jump-off for the Irish Sports Council Classic Trophy.

Captain Carey from Crecora Co Limerick was the most consistent Irish rider of the week and apart from his win in the Failte Stakes he visited the winner’s enclosure on several occasions and was crowned leading Irish rider of the 2009 Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show during a presentation on Sunday evening.

TIPPERARY
Tipperary’s Shane Breen gave Ireland their third win of the show on Thursday, coming out on top in the Speed Derby with the Irish bred ''Mullaghdrin Gold Rain'’. This eleven year old son of Golden Cliff was bred by Noel Cawley and is now owned by Keith Prescott. Indeed it was a 1, 2, 3 for the home side in the Speed Derby with Cian O Connor in 2nd and Jessica Kuertan in 3rd. Shane Breen was also on board the Waterford owned stallion Carmena Z and the 9 year old son of Carthago Z continued his impressive form for owners Carmel and Dermot Ryan from Grange Park Road in Waterford. Carmena Z was unlucky to have just one fence down in the two major International classes that he competed in.

Trevor Breen meanwhile had a week to remember at the RDS where the Cashel native was a regular visitor to the winners enclosure. He began with a 5th place finish in last Wednesday’s 7 year old class with John Crennan’s Stoney Road Lad. Later that day he claimed 5th place with the Ringwood Construction owned ‘’Womack’’ in one of the biggest International classes of the week, the Irish Sports Council Classic which featured some of the world’s top riders. In Saturday’s Puissance Trevor Breen finished in 8th place with Susie’s Lad, and steered Haltown Royal to 10th in the Horse Sport Ireland sponsored 5 year old championship. Earlier in the week this pair took runner up spot in the first qualifier for Saturday’s 5 year old final.

French rider Rodger Yves Bost had a week to remember winning no less than three International competitions. He came out on top in the Accumulator, with 'Jovis de Ravel', just ahead of Cork's Billy Twomey with the Irish-bred 'Cavinem' who slotted into the runner-up spot. Bost also landed The Speed Stakes, and The Speed Championship and not surprisingly was crowned leading International rider of the show after Sunday’s Longines Grand Prix of Dublin which was won by Germany’s Toni Hassman with Lolita H. Tipperary’s Tomas Ryan was best of the Irish in the feature event which carried a 200,000 euro prize fund, finishing in 7th place with Urleven Van de Helle after an eleven horse jump –off, with Trevor Breen also impressing with Womack finishing up with just 5 faults.

Co Down’s Dermott Lennon showed some of the class which saw him crowned world champion back in 2002 when he captured the Dublin Stakes on Hallmark Elite on Saturday afternoon. Later that evening the crowd favourite Puissance competition over the big red wall saw three Irish riders share first place when it reached 2m20.  Capt. Shane Carey, Cameron Hanley, Dermott Lennon and 20 year old Alex Duffy from Mayo all knocked the massive obstacle at the final attempt, with the Netherlands' Jur Vrieling settling for fifth after an elimination.

KERRY
Co Kerry’s Johnny Nolan landed the biggest win of his career to date when he finished top of the pile with Woodfield Rinrush in the 148 six and seven year old pony Championship final in front of a packed crowd at the RDS on Sunday. Nolan who comes from Tralee was the only rider to jump a double clear round to lift the winners trophy ahead of Emily Turkington in second place.

CORK RIDERS SHINE ON THE BIG STAGE
Co Cork rider did their county proud with a series of top class displays from those travelling to the RDS last week.
Shane Sweetnam originally from Kanturk and now based in the U.S.A  took on the toughest tracks of the week in the main arena and was rewarded with an eight place finish in the Frank Knight Power and Speed competition on Thursday with the Spy Coast Farm’s stallion Ameretto d’Arco. He also teamed up with his niece Ellen Sweetnam for Saturday’ pairs relay where the Cork duo finished in third place overall.

Sean Walsh who originally hails from Cork city and now lives in Waterfall took on a challenging course in the 8 year old and over horse class and narrowly missed out on a place in Sunday’s final.   Walsh recorded a 10th place finish in the opening qualifier on Wednesday after making it safely into the jump off with Kimberlite and lowered just one pole in the jump off.

Paula Coffey from Middleton steered Gurtacrue Lady to an 8th place finish in the final of the Amateur competition, while Nikki Murphy from Waterfall recorded a superb win in Saturday’s 1m 10 young riders class with Inch Ana Horna.

Blayne Sheehan from Beara finished in 3rd place the 1.20m young rider’s championship final with Tavira on Saturday after jumping one of only three double clear rounds over a testing course.

Ellen Sweetnam from Bandon had a week to remember after finishing 4th in the 128 pony championship final in front of a packed crowd in the RDS main arena. This pony final was held in between the first and second rounds of the Meydan Nations Cup and gave spectators top class entertainment with winning Italian team manager Marcus Fuchs commenting that he enjoyed watching the Irish pony riders who he said performed to a very high standard.
Mark O Callaghan from Carrigaline finished 4th in the 148 pony championship final with Western Wonder, while Bandon’s  Jeremy Sweetnam and  Allihies Fir Baoi finished 2nd in Thursday’s 148 A competition recording one of only two double clear rounds.

Not to be outdone sister Katie Sweetnam finished 3rd in the final of 6 & 7 year old ponies with Temple Sparticus to round off a superb week at the2009 Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show for riders from Co Cork.

FAILTE IRELAND DUBLIN HORSE SHOW
MUNSTER PROVINCE WELL REPRENTED AS EVER AT SHOW PIECE EVENT
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

The Irish Team, which includes two Munster riders, will be looking to repeat the 2004 win in the Aga Khan and follow on from the win in Falsterbo (Left)

The 2009 Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show gets underway next Wednesday (August 5th) at the  RDS arena in Ballsbridge. A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse the first show was held in 1864 with 366 entries and a total prize fund of £520. Jumping competitions for horses were first introduced in 1869 when there was a high leap over hurdles trimmed with gorse, the wall jump over a loose stone wall of progressive height not exceeding 6 feet, and the wide leap over 2 ½ ft gorse-filled hurdle with 12 ft of water on the far side.

In 1926 International Competitions were introduced to the show and the same year the first Nations’ Cup for the Aga Khan Challenge trophy was held. Up until 1949 the Nations’ Cup teams had to consist of military officers. The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is Ireland’s largest equestrian event, with the third largest annual prize pool for International Show Jumping in the world.

Wednesday’s highlight in the main arena will be the Irish Sports Council Classic while Thursday is Blossom Hill Ladies' Day with one lucky lady taking home a first prize trip to Milan and Cape Town.

For many people though the highlight of the week will be Friday’s Nations Cup for the famous Aga Khan Trophy. This year’s competition will be extra special as it will also be the final round of the Meydan City sponsored FEI Nations Cup series with the top ten teams in the world taking part. France, Germany and the USA look set to battle it out for the number one spot while Italy, Great Britain and Belgium are in a relegation dog fight. After a recent good run of results that included a win at the Swedish round in Falsterbo and a third place finish last week at Hickstead in England, Horse Sport Ireland team manager Robert Splaine can look forward to Friday’s Aga Khan safe in the knowledge that his Irish team have already made it through to next years Meydan Series and could possibly still finish in the top three overall.

Announced last week the Irish team for the Nations Cup will be Mayo’s Cameron Hanley with’SIEC Livello’, Tipperary’s Denis Lynch with Lantinus Meath based Cian O’Connor will ride ‘Rancorrado’ while Co Cork’s Billy Twomey partners  ‘Je t’Aime Flamenco’.

Speaking after the announcement Robert Splaine said that the team had been particularly difficult to pick this year. “After our win in Sweden and our good showing in Hickstead we had a number of riders in the equation for selection and it was a very difficult choice. I am very confident that the team selected will perform very well,” he said.

CO CORK
With the top ten show jumping nations in the world sending teams to Dublin next week places for Irish individual riders have been severely cut back. While Cork’s Shane Sweetnam misses out on selection for the Aga Khan team he has been selected for one of the coveted Individual places and will take his place in the biggest classes of the show during the week. Among his two rides will be Spy Coast Farm’s Amaretto d’Arco who has been a key member of the Irish Nations Cup team so far in 2009.

Paula Coffey from Midleton rides Gurtacrue Lady in the Amateur class, while Katie Sweetnam fromBandon Co Cork rides Wiretta in the young riders as does Nikki Murphy from Waterfall who partners Inch Ana Horna.

Blayne Sheehan from Beara will also be in action in the 1.20m young riders with Tavira, along with Natasha O Connor (Kanturk), Elizabeth Bowen (Rathcooney) and Eimear Kelly(Berrings) who all jump in the 1.30m young riders.

In the 128 pony section Shane Dalton (Clonakilty), Kelly Barry(Glanmire) and Ellen Sweetnam(Bandon) will give Co Cork and excellent chance of success, while in the 138 section Molly O Shea from Blackrock will ride Creative Dancer.

Mark O Callaghan from Carrigaline rides Western Wonder in the 148A class, along with Jeremy Sweetnam who will partner Allihies Fir Baoi. Madaline Roberts Allen and Katie Sweetnam both from Bandon round off the Cork pony riders for the week ahead.

Maurice O Connor from Kanturk will ride Ronnoco VDL Darcoin the 4 year old horses and rounding off the Cork competitors will be Sean Walsh and Kimberlite who have qualified for the always difficult 8 year old and over class.

CO KERRY
Co Kerry will be well represented this week at the RDS, beginning with Jerome Foley from Firies Co Kerry who rides Portphillip Dioscruise in the Amateur section. In the pony competition Emma O Sullivan from Milltown will ride Killaloe Gypsy. In the 148 class John Nolan from Tralee will ride Woodfield Rinrush.

In the 4 year old horses Anthony O Regan rides Derna Romeo while he also jumps in the 7 year olds with Mover, while Martha Healy from Killarney will jump Labella Stella in the 5 year olds.

Maura Counihan has had plenty of International success so far this year and the Tralee lady will be among the favourites in the 5 year old horse competition where she rides HHS Diamond

CO CLARE
Co Clare will be well represented during the week beginning with Rena Marie Queally from Ennis who rides Kilmore Royal in the Amateur class. Another Ennis rider Paul Mc Dermott rides ‘’Whatever II’’ I the young rider competition,

Clare riders dominate the 138 pony section with Tom Foley(Tulla), Eoin McMahon(Crathloe), Aime Lucinda Wood (Killaloe) and Siobhan McCarthy(Quin) all in the line up.

Tom Foley and Eoin Mc Mahon will also be in the 148 pony section where they are joined by Laura Costello from Quin Co Clare.

Co Clare’s most famous Show jumping star Marie Burke from Doora in Ennis has been selected for one of the coveted International rider positions and will jump in the biggest classes of the show.

CO LIMERICK
Meanwhile Co Limerick will be well represented at the RDS this week beginning with Niamh O Connell from Clarina who has been in super form this year and will ride Tom O Connell’s Notting Hill in the young rider 1m 30.

Peter Leonard from Newcastle West Co Limerick will ride Michael Murphy’s Catcher Babinski in the 4 year old horse class, and also saddles Donal Lynch’s Ard Denzil in the 5 year olds.

Also in the 5 year olds another Newcastle West rider Paul O Shea will ride Lynzi Johnston’s ‘’Top Shelf’’.

Captain Shane Carey from Crecora Co Limerick will jump the Minister for Defences ‘’Ringwood Abbey’’ in the 7 year old competition while Captain Carey has also been selected for one of the sought after International places for the biggest classes at the RDS this week.

TIPPERARY BREEN BROTHERS IN SUPER FORM AHEAD OF THIS WEEKS ACTION
Shane and Trevor Breen from Dualla Road Cashel will hope to bring further glory to Tipperary over the coming days. Because of the large number of foreign riders visiting Dublin this week, places for home riders have been restricted to a select few, but the form shown by the two above mentioned brothers has seen both selected to don the green jacket.

Shane Breen who is now based in Hickstead England will ride Carmel Ryan’s stallion Carmena Z and also partners Mullaghdrin Gold Rain. Carmena Z comes to Dublin in good form having narrowly missing out on retaining his Queens Cup title at Hickstead last week and also winning the Grand Prix at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show in the UK. .

Younger brother Trevor Breen will have a particularly busy week having qualified 7 horses for the National Classes and also being selected for the Internationals where he will ride the Ringwood Construction owned Womack. In the 5 year old’s Trevor rides Halltown Royal. He also will partner Honeylands Douglason in the same class this one owned by Peter Boardman from Roscrea Co Tipperary.No More Talk will be Trevor’s mount in the 6 year olds while in the 7 year old class he will ride the John Crennan owned Stony Road Lad.

Karen Swann from Cashel is the owner of Adventure de Kannan who Trevor Breen will ride in the 8 year olds and over, this horse being in fine form recently winning the Hickstead Speed Derby and finishing 3rd in the Eventing Grand Prix at the same venue just over a week ago.

Greg Broderick from Thurles is another local rider who will compete in the National Horse classes, while Karen Egan from Templemore Co Tipperary will ride E Clover in the Amateur section.

In the 148 pony competition at the RDS Seamus Holohan from Fethard will ride Boolagh Ghost Buster, while brother Matthew Holohan will ride Boolagh Gypsy Boy. Conor Dunphy from Carrick on Suir will ride Glenevadra High Alert also in the 148 pony division.

CO WATERFORD
As ever Co Waterford will be well represented this week at the RDS with riders from the Deise having made it through the tough qualifying process.  In the Amateur section Patrick Royanne from Dungarvan takes his place with Coolbeg Carrig.

In the 128 pony class Liz O Donnell from Cappoquin will ride John Moloney’s Sprinters Magic who is a former mount of Aime Moloney from Colligan Equestrian Centre in Dungarvan who is no stranger to the RDS having previously jumped in the 128 pony competition. Aime will again jump at the RDS this year with another Colligan Equestrian Centre pony Knockroe Dawn in the 138 section. In the 148 six and seven year old pony class Paul Kiely from Cappagh rides Catherine Kiely’s Mighty Patch.

CONNORS, KEANE, BEECHER AND O’DONNELL IN SENIOR SECTION
In the National Horse classes Francis Connors will as ever be busy with a number of horses qualified including the impressive 4 year old stallion’Hyperion’ owened by Bobby Flynn for Gracedieu in Waterford City. Aglish born Tholm Keane has an impressive record in the young horse classes and will ride a number of youngsters owned by Tenor Ronan Tynan and will be among the favourites to feature in the prizes. In the 8 year old’s and over Fenor’s Paddy O Donnell will partner Tomas Power’s impressive mare Harristown Princess while also in this class Tallow’s Paul Beecher will saddle Loughnatusa WB.

With the top ten ranked nations in the world sending teams to Dublin this week, places for Irish riders in the International classes have been severely cut back this year, but Aglish born Tholm Keane will take one of the priceless places following his excellent record in the ShowjumpingIreland Premier series. Tholm will ride Ronan Tynan’s Warrenstown U2 around the week’s biggest tracks in the main arena.

Also in the International arena Waterford owned stallion Carmena Z has been selected and will be ridden as ever by Tipperary’s Shane Breen. The 9 year old by Carthago comes to Dublin in good form having narrowly missing out on retaining his Queens Cup title he won in 08, at Hickstead’s Royal International Show last week and winning the Grand Prix at The New Forest and Hampshire County Show in the UK just a few days ago.

From the best show horses, to the best international show jumpers; the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is one of Ireland's largest sporting events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world, and hopefully providing some Munster winners along the way.

PONY RIDERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AS THE CARLING KING PONY LEAGUE FOR 2009 PRODUCES A DRAMATIC CLIMAX
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

Shane Moloney receiving his prize as the Leading Rider of the Carling King League from Angela Larkin of the Clothes Horse Equestrian Store in Tramore

The Waterford and Tipperary branch gymkhana took place at Widgers event centre at Ballinclough, Tramore Co Waterford on Sunday last where some of Irelands future stars did battle in the final of the Carling King Pony league for 2009.

Very generously sponsored by The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store Cullencastle Tramore who supply everything needed for both horse and rider, and The Waterford and Tipperary branch of Show jumping Ireland this league has gone from strength to strength since its first running in 2008.

After several qualifying rounds held all over the Munster Region which attracted over one hundred and twenty ponies and riders, only the top thirty made it through to the final where the high standard of riding saw nineteen combinations jump clear in round one. The second round was jumped on optimum time with the winners being those closest to the calculated time while jumping a clear round.

Incredibly two riders remained deadlocked after round two as both Shannon Sheridan and Grainne Mc Grath finished on 76.46 seconds just .54  outside the optimum time of 77 seconds. They both had to return to jump a third round where Shannon Sheridan from Lisronagh, Clonmel Co Tipperary and her pony Paddley’s Little Richard came out on top just ahead of Grainne Mc Grath and Rob the Cob who finished as runner up.

Peter Wall from Rosemount in Thurles riding Dancing Crystal took third place with Dungarvan’s Aine Flynn and Sunshine Sue in fourth.  Charlotte Connors from Affaine Cappoquin Co Waterford with Dawn Lady Rosie finished in fifth with Hannah Houlihan from Lismore Co Waterford in sixth with Golden Ginger.

The leading rider award went to Shane Moloney from Colligan, Dungarvan, who travelled the length and breath of Munster jumping clear rounds with his pony ‘Colligan Equestrian Centre MOJO’

Angela Larkin from the Clothes Horse Equestrian Store was on hand to present the prizes of medals and rosettes to all ponies in the final, special prizes to all that made the jump off and trophies, rugs, jackets and medals to the six lucky riders in the final line up and to the leading rider. The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store Tramore has recently begun an embroidery service and all the rugs and jackets were sporting stunning embroidery for the Carling King Pony league winners of 2009. Elite Rosettes and Trophies from Claregalway kindly sponsored the Medals and special Rosettes for all thirty riders who made it into Sunday’s final.

DOUBLE BILL OF TOP CLASS SHOW JUMPING IN CO LIMERICK THIS WEEKEND

Capt. Shane Carey will looking for a win at his home in Crecora when he brings two to the Limerick & District Grand Prix on Saturday. Capt. Carey is also a part sponsor of the event.

Co Limerick plays host to two rounds of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League this weekend beginning at The Limerick and District Show at Kilpeacon, Crecora Co Limerick on Saturday.

A field of 47 horses and riders will go to post for the Grand Prix class which is co sponsored by Army Equitation School riders Captain Shane Carey and Lt Michael Kelly to the tune of 3,000 euros.

The home crowd will have plenty of locals to support with Co Limerick’s Michael Cusack, Niamh O Connell, Captain Shane Carey and Paul O Shea who returns from injury, all hoping for some valuable league points.

League leader Waterford’s Francis Connors will be hoping for a repeat of last weeks win in Wexford as he bids for an amazing 11th National League title. He will be joined by fellow Waterford riders Tholm Keane, Paddy O Donnell, Mark O Sullivan and Gemma Phelan.

Tipperary’s Joe Owens who won last weeks round of the Munster Grand Prix League will be hoping for another good result while Cashel’s Trevor Breen who is just back from a successful spell in England where he won the Hickstead Speed Derby will saddle 3 horses in the main event.

Meanwhile a full range of classes for all competitors will take place across the 5 arenas in operation at Crecora, among those are Qualifiers for the Cavan 5 year old and 6&7 year old horses and the ever popular Ballymaloe Country Relish 1.10 ladies competition.

The pony arenas will feature Shannonside League Qualifiers and a round of the Carling King Pony League which is sure to attract some future stars of the sport.

The action gets underway on Saturday in Crecora Co Limerick at 9.30am with The Limerick and District round of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League getting underway at 2pm

NEWCASTLEWEST AGRICULTURAL SHOW ON SUNDAY

The Showjumping bandwagon moves to Newcastle West Co Limerick on Sunday where 34 horses and riders have declared for the Grand Prix with 4,000 euro on offer from sponsors McAuliffe Sand and Gravel.
Co Kerry’s Sinead Kennedy has been in superb form so far this season and was only denied victory in the Munster Grand Prix last week when knocking the final fence with KEC Alicante. The Tralee rider will be hoping for some better luck on Saturday.

Cork’s Sean Walsh has been impressive this year with the Coolcoran Cool Diamond mare Kimberlite and on current form could be one to watch if h can make it into the jump-off.

Kilkenny’s Ger O Neill will be hoping to deny the Munster riders of top spot when he partners I Ceasar while a notable absentee from Sunday’s start list is Eddie Moloney who currently occupies second spot on the league table.

MEYDAN NATIONS CUP SERIES HOT’S UP AS IRELAND BID FOR VALUABLE POINTS

WITH just Hickstead and Dublin to follow, the Irish senior show jumping team will hope to improve their position in the  Meydan Nations' Cup Series when they battle it out with the world's other top ten teams at Falsterbo, Sweden today (Friday).

Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine will field Cameron Hanley, Darragh Kerins, Denis Lynch and Capt. David O’Brien for this sixth leg of the Series. Ireland currently lies in seventh place on the Meydan leader board.

Tipperary’s Denis Lynch who is the only Irish rider to feature at every round of the league so far, will pilot Aachen Grand Prix winner Lantinus with Captain David O Brien hoping that his horse Kiltoom can reproduce the first round performance in the last round at Aachen where they finished with just one time fault.

Sligo’s Darragh Kerins will ride ‘Night Train’ who performed well in this years World Cup Final in Las Vegas while Cameron Hanley will partner either ‘SIEC Livello’ or ‘Southwind’

The Swedish round of the Meydan Nations Cup series gets underway this afternoon (Friday) at 1.30pm Irish time

Elsewhere in Europe, Cork's Billy Twomey will be  Ireland's sole competitor at Italy's five-star show in San Patrignano,

Tipperary based rider Joe Owens scored his second win of this
year's Munster Greyhound Night Grand Prix League today (Saturday) at Kennedy's Dohyle House Stud near Rathkeale Co Limerick with the Lissava Stud owned 'LVS No Doubt'.

Kennedy Equine Centre have two superb facilities in Tralee Co Kerry and The Dohyle House Stud in Limerick and have over 20 years experience in breeding and producing top class Sport Horses. They have sold horses that have competed at home in Ireland and also in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Iran & even on the beautiful island of Barbados!

The concept of TEAM KEC is to produce and compete their young stock as advertising for their Stud Farm and Sales Yard. Here in Ireland Sinead Kennedy in just one of a team of KEC riders that compete regularly on the home circuit while one of their most famous International performers in KEC Maximum Joe is currently enjoying a superb season with Irish rider Billy Twomey.

From a starting field of 43 horses and riders 10 made it into the jump-off with Owens in the driving seat when triple handed against the clock. With his first mount 'Cobra' he opted for a steady pace hoping to post a clear but one fence on the floor with the  Carthago Z stallion saw this pairing finish in 8th place. Tralee born Sinead
Kennedy was without doubt the most unlucky rider in the field, she looked to be heading into the lead with KEC Aldalice but a rub at the last fence left them in 7th place with 4 faults in 40.08 seconds.  Kennedy was even faster with Kennedy Equine Centre's Alicante (36.87) which was the fastest time of the day but agonizingly the last fence again hit the floor to leave them in third place.

Local rider Niamh O Connell from Clarina Co Limerick posted what was one of only 2 double clear rounds with Tom O Connell's 'Nothing Hill' and was in pole position for much of the class after a superb performance despite the torrential rain and finished up in the runner up position.

But Cahir resident Joe Owens showed fierce determination to bring home LVS No Doubt clear in 39.24 seconds to take a deserved victory and the lions share of the 3,000 euro prize fund courtesy of Kennedy's Dohyle House Stud and The Munster Greyhound Night fundraiser. Even a gallant effort from last to go Francis Connors and Cooldaragha Murphy couldn't deny the Lissava Stud rider the win as one fence on the floor from league leader Connors left him in 4th place overall.

Speaking afterwards Joe Owens was thrilled with the win. ''He is a super horse (LVS No Doubt). I was also delighted with how Ringfort Cruise went for me today, I haven't been riding him long and he is proving very popular with breeders.  I spent some time in England last year and I gained allot of confidence from jumping at shows over there, It will be very hard to catch Francis Connors at the top of the league table as he is almost always in the points but I will give it a real go for the remaining rounds and see what happens'.

Just 2 more rounds of the Munster Greyhound Night Grand Prix League remain at Dungarvan (July 23rd) and Limerick Show (August 23rd) before the final at Banteer Show on the 30th of August. Waterford's Francis Connors now holds a 5 point lead over Joe Owens at the top of the league table.

MUNSTER GREYHOUND NIGHT GRAND PRIX LEAGUE AT KENNEDY’S DOHYLE HOUSE
STUD RATHKEALE CO LIMERICK
FULL RESULT
1.      JOE OWENS,                  L.V.S NO DOUBT ; 0/0 39.24
2.      NIAMH O CONNELL,    NOTHING HILL    ; 0/0  42.59
3.      SINEAD KENNEDY         KEC ALICANTE    ; 0/4  36.87
4.      FRANCIS CONNORS     COOLDARAGHA MURPHY  ; 0/4 37.79
5.      JOE OWENS                  RINGFORT CRUISE ; 0/4  38.96
6.      FRANCIS CONNORS    ERNE BLAZE ; 0/4  39.18
7.      SINEAD KENNEDY       KEC ALDALICE ; 0/4 40.08
8.      JOE OWENS                 COBRA ;  0/4  48.51
9.      MARK O SULLIVAN     AMIGO ;  0/8 37.59
10.     NIAMH O CONNOR    DUNKERRIN ; 0/8  41.42

TIPPERARY’S DENIS LYNCH WINS WORLDS MOST PRESTIGIOUS GRAND PRIX COMPETITION WHILE
IRELAND MOVE OUT OF NATIONS CUP RELEGATION PLACES
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

Tipperary show jumper Denis Lynch claimed what is generally regarded as the worlds top Grand Prix competition on Sunday last when he came out on top in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in Germany.
The 33 year old from Tipperary town came through a marathon battle against 40 of the worlds top riders and was one of only 2 riders who jumped a triple clear round with Flaminia Straumann's  Hanoverian bay gelding 'Lantinus'  to claim a famous victory in front of 40,000 spectators at the Aachen arena.

A naturally delighted Denis Lynch collected the 115,000 euro first prize and a Rolex watch after a nail-biting jump-off against Australia's Edwina Alexander on the 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding Isovlas Itot du Chateau, France's Philip LeJeune and German Olympic Gold Medallist Marcus Ehning, whose time was faster than the Irish rider's but who paid the price for speed by dislodging a pole to finish third on four faults. Ehning's 12-year-old Bavarian-bred mare (Lord Z x Cambridge) also lost a shoe in the jump-off.

"Lantinus is a top class horse. After the oxer we had to take the longer route around the water jump, because we were so fast that I didn't manage the tight turn," commented an elated Lynch after the competition.

Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine also paid tribute to Lynch on Sunday: "This is a fantastic achievement for Denis, winning one of the world's greatest Grands Prix. He has shown tremendous commitment, and his win today is a great boost for Irish show jumping."
 
The Aachen Grand Prix has been won by Irish riders only twice in recent times - in 1999 Trevor Coyle took the trophy with 'Cruising', and in 1978 Eddie Macken was victorious with the legendary 'Boomerang'. The list of former winners of contains some of the worlds greatest riders from times past and includes famous name such as ‘’ Nelson Pessoa’’ (1964 & 1972), Harvey Smith,(1977) the Italian D’Inzeo brothers (Piero d’Inzeo (1952 and 1959), Raimondo d’Inzeo (1963) and John Whittaker (1997). Three riders hold the distinction of winning the Aachen Grand Prix 3 times  Paul Shockemohle (1974, 1079 and 1984), Nick Skelton (1982, 1987 and 1988) and Ludger Beerbaum (1996, 2002 and 2003).

Although Denis Lynch has been no stranger to the winners enclosure the past few years with Global Champions Tour wins among his victories, this latest triumph ensures that the Tipperary- man will take his place in the history books as one of the few Irishmen to lift the Grand Prix title at Aachen which for many people is the world’s Mecca for the sport of Show jumping.

IRISH MOVE OUT OF RELEGATION ZONE AFTER GOOD DISPLAY AT GERMAN  MEYDAN NATIONS CUP ROUND

Meanwhile the Irish team have move out of the dreaded relegation zone of the Meydan Nations Cup Series after a good performance on Friday last saw them finish in 5th place of the 10 competing teams. 

Lying 7th of the 10 teams competing after the first round, Ireland could have been much better placed but for a fall by Tipperary's Denis Lynch from his horse ''Lantinus''. Captain David O Brien with ''Kiltoom'' and Cian O Connor with ''Rancorado'' came home with just one time fault each while Cork's Billy Twomey had 5 faults with ''Je t'Aime Flamenco''.

In round 2 Twomey again had 5 faults while David O Brien's 9 faults were the discard score. Cian O Connor left one fence on the floor with ''Rancorado'' while Denis Lynch recovered from his fall to post a 5 fault score with ''Lantinus''.
This left Ireland on a final score of 21 faults in 5th place overall with victory going to France while the Netherlands and home team Germany tied for second. Great Britain meanwhile have been dragged into the relegation dogfight after a poor performance that saw them miss the halfway cut.

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Team manager Robert Splaine said: "It was a very solid performance from all the team, and I would like to thank Billy, Cian and Denis, whose owners made their best horses available. A special mention must go to Capt. David O'Brien, whose mare 'Kiltoom' was brought in at short notice to have its first outing at Meydan Series level and produced an outstanding performance in the first round. This demonstrates once again the contribution the Army Equitation School makes to Irish show jumping.

"Tonight's result moves us out of the relegation zone, but it will continue to be a tightly-fought battle. However, I do believe we are improving and that this improvement will continue at the next Meydan outing in Falsterbo in two weeks' time, provided we can field a strong team. We only have three chances left and it is essential that we field strong teams at all remaining events."

Just 2 more rounds of the Meydan Nations Cup Series remain (Falsterbo and Hickstead) before the final at the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show (August 5th to 9th) where the league champions will be crowned and the bottom 2 teams will be relegated.

IRELAND TEAM SCORES AACHEN NATIONS CUP GERMANY
ROUND ONE
Billy Twomey; Je t’Aime Flamenco 5 faults
Capt. David O'Brien; Kiltoom 1 fault
Cian O Connor; Rancorrado 1 fault
Denis Lynch; Lantinus Elim
 
IRELAND TOTAL AFTER ROUND ONE 7 faults. 7th place of ten teams.
 
ROUND TWO
Billy Twomey; Je t’Aime Flamenco 5 faults
Capt. David O'Brien; Kiltoom 9 faults
Cian O Connor; Rancorrado 4 faults
Denis Lynch; Lantinus 5 faults
TEAM TOTAL 21 FAULTS

SHOW JUMPING FULL RESULTS: CSIO5* AACHEN GERMANY JUNE 30 - JULY 05 2009

MEYDAN FEI NATIONS' CUP OF GERMANY
Team Jumping Competition
Two Rounds 1m60
Thursday, July 2, 2009

1) FRANCE 0 faults
=2) NETHERLANDS 4 faults
=2) GERMANY 4 faults
4) UNITED STATES 5 faults
5) IRELAND 21 faults
6) BELGIUM 26 faults
7) SWITZERLAND 30 faults
8) SWEDEN 38 faults
9) ITALY 13 faults (First Round Only)
10) GT. BRITAIN 14 faults (First Round Only)

The Irish Show jumping team finished in a highly respectable 5th place at the Meydan Nations Cup in Aachen Germany last night   (Thursday).

Lying 7th of the 10 teams competing after the first round, Ireland could have been much better placed but for a fall by Tipperary's Denis Lynch from his horse ''Lantinus''. Captain David O Brien with ''Kiltoom'' and Cian O Connor with ''Rancorado'' came home with just one time fault each while Cork's Billy Twomey had 5 faults with ''Je t'Aime Flamenco''.

In round 2 Twomey again had 5 faults while David O Brien's 9 faults were the discard score. Cian O Connor left one fence on the floor with ''Rancorado'' while Denis Lynch recovered from his fall to post a 5 fault score with ''Lantinus''.

This left Ireland on a final score of 21 faults in 5th place overall with victory going to France while the Netherlands and home team Germany tied for second. Great Britain meanwhile have been dragged into the relegation dogfight after a poor performance that saw them miss the halfway cut.

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Team manager Robert Splaine said: "It was a very solid performance from all the team, and I would like to thank Billy, Cian and Denis, whose owners made their best horses available. A special mention must go to Capt. David O'Brien, whose mare 'Kiltoom' was brought in at short notice to have its first outing at Meydan Series level and produced an outstanding performance in the first round. This demonstrates once again the contribution the Army Equitation School makes to Irish show jumping.

"Tonight's result moves us out of the relegation zone, but it will continue to be a tightly-fought battle. However, I do believe we are improving and that this improvement will continue at the next Meydan outing in Falsterbo in two weeks' time, provided we can field a strong team. We only have three chances left and it is essential that we field strong teams at all remaining events."

IRELAND TEAM SCORES AACHEN NATIONS CUP GERMANY
ROUND ONE
Billy Twomey; Je t’Aime Flamenco 5 faults
Capt. David O'Brien; Kiltoom 1 fault
Cian O Connor; Rancorrado 1 fault
Denis Lynch; Lantinus Elim
 
IRELAND TOTAL AFTER ROUND ONE 7 faults. 7th place of ten teams.
 
ROUND TWO
Billy Twomey; Je t’Aime Flamenco 5 faults
Capt. David O'Brien; Kiltoom 9 faults
Cian O Connor; Rancorrado 4 faults
Denis Lynch; Lantinus 5 faults
TEAM TOTAL 21 FAULTS

CORK AND TIPPERARY REPRESENTED AS IRELAND SEARCH FOR NATIONS CUP POINTS

Billy Twomey and Je T'Aime Flamenco will be part of tonight's Irish team in search of some valuable points

The Irish Show jumping team are in action this evening (Thursday) in the 5th round of the Meydan Nations Cup Series at Aachen in Germany.  HORSE Sport Ireland’s Team Manager Robert Splaine last night named the jumping order of the four riders who will represent Ireland who are drawn first to jump of ten teams.

Cork rider Billy Twomey will be the pathfinder with Je t’Aime Flamenco, the stallion who won the Grand Prix at St Gallen in Switzerland last month. He will be followed by Capt. David O'Brien who rides ''Kiltoom'', Cian O Connor will partner ''Rancorrado'', while Tipperary's Denis Lynch who has been on the Irish team at every round of the league so far will ride  ''Lantinus''

Ireland currently lie second from bottom on the league table and with the 2 lowest placed teams to be relegated after the final round at the Dublin Horse Show in August, today's Competition in Aachen is vital for Irish equestrian sport.

Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine said tonight: “ Aachen is a huge competition and we are looking forward to it. A good result would be a tremendous boost. "We have a strong team here - Billy Twomey's horse 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' has had a great season so far, and I am pleased that Cian’s Horse 'Rancorrado' is back for the team as he performed very well for Ireland in 2008. Denis Lynch and 'Lantinus' is a proven combination at this level, and I'd like to thank Capt. David O'Brien and his promising mare 'Kiltoom' for stepping up at short notice,” he said

CASHEL’S TREVOR BREEN WINS HICKSTEAD SPEED DERBY WHILE LYNCH AGAIN SELECTED FOR IRELAND
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

Tipperary rider Trevor Breen  won the Hickstead Speed Derby in England on Saturday last after a brilliant performance with the Karen Swann owned ''Adventure De Kannann.

Setting what was the second fastest time ever recorded around the famous course the Cashel native  had almost 8 seconds to spare over 2nd placed English man Joe Whittaker with Kool Kaiser with Trevor Breen's Brother Shane Breen finishing in 3rd place with last years winner Royal Concorde.

Trevor Been who is the reining Irish National Champion  collected 5,000 pounds sterling for the well deserved victory.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI4* HICKSTEAD GREAT BRITAIN JUNE 25 - 28 2009

THE BUNN LEISURE SPEED DERBY
International Jumping Competition
Table C
FEI 239 1m45
Saturday, 27 June 2009

1) ADVENTURE DE KANNAN; TREVOR BREEN (IRL) Time 92.240
2) KOOL KAISER; JOE WHITAKER (GBR) Time 100.740
3) ROYAL CONCORDE (ISH); SHANE BREEN (IRL) Time 101.240
4) THE BUTLERS PANTRY PARADISE G; OLIVE CLARKE (IRL) Time 106.080

6) VIS A VIS; STEVEN SMITH (IRL) Time 106.690

22 starters

Meanwhile Trevor’s older brother Shane Breen guided two horses into the top ten of Sunday’s  Hickstead Derby in Surrey England in front of the live BBC television camera’s. A slight rub at the dreaded white posts at the bottom of the derby bank and faults at the first and last parts of the Devils Dyke saw him finish on 12 faults with Dorada. He had been travelling well with his second mount Mullaghdrin Gold Rain but the gelding seemed to tire towards the end of the demanding course and also finished on 12 faults.

Britain's William Funnell who was last to go produced the only clear round of the competition with Cortaflex Mondriaan for what was his third Hickstead Derby win collecting the 40,000 euro first prize, just ahead of long time leader Guy Williams and Skip Two Ramiro who finished on 4 faults in second.
Oranmore Co Galway's Olive Clarke made it 3 Irish in the top ten finishing on 12 faults with The Butlers Pantry Spitfield.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI4* HICKSTEAD GREAT BRITAIN JUNE 25 - 28 2009

THE DFS DERBY
International Jumping Competition
Table A
FEI Article 238.1.2
Sunday, 28 June 2009

1) CORTAFLEX MONDRIAAN; WILLIAM FUNNELL (GBR) Faults 0.00 Time 177.16
2) SKIP TWO RAMIRO; GUY WILLIAMS (GBR) Faults 4.00 Time 174.44
3) ANIMATION II; WILLIAM WHITAKER (GBR) Faults 4.00 Time 176.45

8) MULLAGHDRIN GOLD RAIN (ISH); SHANE BREEN (IRL) Faults 12.00 Time 162.35
9) DORADA (ISH); SHANE BREEN (IRL) Faults 12.00 Time 162.65
10) THE BUTLERS PANTRY SPITFIELD; OLIVE CLARKE (IRL) Faults 12.00 Time 165.68

MEYDAN NATIONS CUP AT AACHEN GERMANY THIS THURSDAY

HORSE Sport Ireland’s Show Jumping Team Manager Robert Splaine has named the four riders to represent Ireland in the next round of the Meydan Nations' Cup Series in Aachen this Thursday and Tipperary’s Denis Lynch is once again named in the squad for what will be his 5th round in a row, and is the only rider Irish to achieve this feat

The Irish team is:
Captain David O Brien ; Kiltoom
Denis Lynch; Lantinus
Cian O Connor; Rancorrado
Billy Twomey; Je t’Aime Flamenco

Having finished in 5th place at the last round in Rotterdam Splaine will be hoping for a similar performance as the Irish try to move up the table ahead of the final at The Dublin Horse Show this August “I am delighted that Cian’s Horse 'Rancorrado' is back for the team as he performed very well for us last year and is a horse of serious potential. Billy’s horse was outstanding in winning the Grand Prix in St. Gallen and Denis Lynch and 'Lantinus' is a proven combination at this level’’ said Robert Splaine earlier this week.

PACKED PROGRAMME OF SHOW JUMPING ACTION IN MUNSTER THIS WEEKEND

The Munster Region of ShowjumpingIreland hosts a jam packed weekend of Show jumping action with no less than 3 Grand Prix classes and the Munster Final of the All Ireland Inter- County Show jumping Championships down for decision.

The West Clare Show at Tullabrack, Kilrush Co Clare this Saturday, host’s the 7th round of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League with a whopping 7,000 euro on offer from sponsors Kilrush Credit Union.

29 horses and riders go to post including Francis Connors, winner of last weekends round at Galway County.
Fellow Waterford rider Tholm Keane is also primed to start no doubt hoping for some valuable league points in his bid for the league title that has narrowly eluded him for the past 2 seasons.

Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney who currently lies in 5th place in the league will partner Chatsworth Dan and Highlander while Captain Shane Carey who is just back from an International win in Norway last week will ride Annestown.

The home crowd will no doubt be cheering on Co Clare’s Marie Burke when she partners her own Welt a in what promises to be an excellent day of top class Show jumping.

A full range of classes for all grades of horses and ponies gets underway at 10am with the feature Kilrush Credit Union Grand Prix starting at 2pm.

CHARLEVILLE AGRICULTURAL SHOW SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Ballyhea Charleville Co Cork is the venue for 2 days of jumping action with the main event on Saturday being the 4th round of the Munster Greyhound Night Grand Prix League.

20 combinations will go to post including Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine who is just back from Rotterdam where his team finished in 5th place in the Dutch leg of the Meydan Nations Cup Series. The Cork man rides his own Captain Clover gelding ‘’Billiebob’’.

Another Cork rider Sean Walsh will hope to take advantage of the fact that several of his opponents at the head of the league table will be in action in West Clare on the same day when he pilot’s his own Coolcorran Cool Diamond sired Kimberlite with whom he took runner up spot at the opening Munster Grand Prix at Aglish.
West Waterford lady rider Gemma Phelan is another who is well placed in the league standings and she will hope to add to her tally when she partners her own Killcannon Brigade.

The Charleville round of the Munster Grand Prix League gets underway at 2pm this Saturday with 3,000 euro on offer.

The 8th round of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League will be the feature class this Sunday at Charleville with the Show themselves kindly sponsoring the class to the tune of 4,500 euro.
Most of those in action in Saturday’s round at West Clare will again line out among the 33 strong field with a few new additions.

Kilkenny’s Ger O Neill will ride I Ceaser the horse that helped him claim the 2008 Munster Grand Prix title while Robert Splaine will again partner his own Billiebob.

Balinamona Grand Prix winner Mark O Sullivan will hope for a repeat performance from the Michael Monaghan owned Amigo and with current league leader Alex Duffy in action at the Derby Show in Hickstead a new league leader looks certain after the busy weekend programme.

Sunday’s Charleville Grand Prix gets underway at the usual time of 2pm amid a busy schedule of horse and pony competitions for all grades.

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY TEAM SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS MUNSTER FINAL
SPONSORED BY COSTELLOE SOLUTIONS

Tholm Keane and Ronan Tynan is the Winner's Enclosure again but will they be there together on Sunday when Keane dons the Blue of Waterford?

The hotly awaited Munster final of the All Ireland Inter County Team Showjumping Championships takes place this Sunday June 28th of June.

After a controversial build up to the Munster final, Sunday’s big event promises to be a tense affair with plenty of scores to be settled in the arena.

Thankfully the Cork dispute which hampered the rebel Counties build up appears to have been settled just in time. It was reported that Cork riders had gone on strike after they were not given an input into the appointment of the Chef de Quipe. The breakthrough in the row seems to have come when it was agreed that Cork will enter 2 teams in the competition, one team picked by the riders and one team picked by the Team Manager.(Now why didn’t the GAA think of that).

It has been rumoured that the man who negotiated the deal was Showjumping Ireland Chairman Ronan Corrigan. No surprise really as he has huge experience in dealing with tough negotiators such as the executive committee of ShowjumpingIreland!.

Meanwhile the Kerry camp who were very bullish of their prospects a couple of months ago have become as silent as a mouse. No doubt still smarting from the defeat inflicted by their Cork neighbours in the All Ireland Football Championship, the Kingdom  will be hoping to get revenge on Sunday.
There are reports from Co Clare that an all female team that could include sisters,  Marie Burke, Shelia White and Joan Greene is being put together under the guidance of USA team coach George Morris.

Limerick meanwhile lodged a late submission to have the competition moved to Thomand Park but this was rejected by the other Munster counties as they are well aware that ‘’the home side always wins at Thomand’’.

Further east in Waterford, Tholm Keane who is desperate to avoid being beaten again by County Colleague Francis Connors who has pipped him to the National League the past 2 years, is believed to have made sure he was on the same team as Francis in order to avoid being runner up yet again although it is still not clear if Kilkenny native Ronan Tynan will make his horses available to jump on the Deise team.

If this Inter -county rivalry and tension is not enough the news that Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine is planning a scouting trip to the team championships at Charleville will add further pressure to all riders. It is believed that Splaine will be keeping a close eye on possible future Irish team prospects and how they deal with the red hot atmosphere of team show jumping.

The Costello Solutions Munster Final of the Inter County Show jumping Championships takes place this Sunday afternoon at Charleville Co Cork. NOT TO BE MISSED!

WINS FOR MUNSTER’S FINEST AT HOME AND ABROAD
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

It has turned out to be another weekend to remember for Munster show jumping with riders from the province sealing victories on the National and International stage beginning with the Cashel Breen brothers Shane and Trevor who both visited the winner’s enclosure.

Competing at Drammen in Norway  33 year old Shane Breen had a memorable few days beginning on Thursday last when he claimed victory in the Two Phase competition with the 11 year old gelding ‘Dorada’’.

Two days later at the same 3 star fixture this partnership claimed another win this time in the Speed Derby where they had just under 3 seconds to spare over 2nd placed Norwegian Morten Alexander.

This was Shane’s second speed Derby win in a fortnight after he steered Carmel and Dermot Ryan’s stallion Royal Concorde to first place in the Hamburg speed Derby setting a new record time in the process. He also holds the speed derby record at the Hickstead arena in England set last year again with Royal Concorde.

Also on Saturday last Shane Breen was part of the Irish team that finished 5th in Norway’s Nations Cup competition.

Ireland led at the half way stage thanks to rounds from Shane Breen  (Carmena Z) and David Simpson (Cruise With Me) who had one fence down each and Mayo's Alex Duffy who was best of the Irish finishing with just one time fault. The 19 year old from Knockmore was riding the Edenrock Investments owned stallion ''Tampa''

Round 2 began well with another good round from Tipperary's Shane Breen with ''Carmena Z'' knocking just one pole, before disaster struck when David Simpson and ''Cruise With Me'' suffered a fall midway through their round.
With just 3 riders allowed to jump in round 2 this meant the Irish team were eliminated from round 2 and could finish no better than 5th with victory going to The Netherlands.

Shane Breen and  the Carmel Ryan owned Carmena Z finished off a superb weeks work by finishing 11th in the Norwegian Grand Prix with just one fence on the floor.

Meanwhile a lot closer to home the younger of the Breen brothers ‘Trevor’  claimed his second win in the Connaught Grand Prix League riding Peter Boardmann’s Bonjour View Pont VDM with a double clear in 37.83.

LIMERICK SHOW JUMPER WINS INTERNATIONAL SPEED CLASS

Back in Norway Limerick show jumper Captain Shane Carey  won the speed class at Drammen  on Friday last riding the Minister for Defence's Irish-bred 'Cashla Bay' to an extremely comfortable 11-second victory over Germany's Andre Schroder.

The army rider from Kilpeacon Crecora Co Limerick was also part of the Irish team that finished 5th in the Nations Cup competition at the same venue on Saturday.

CONNORS BACK TO WINNING WAYS AT GALWAY COUNTY NATIONAL GRAND PRIX BUT KEANE HOT ON HIS HEELS AGAIN.

Waterford’s Francis Connors returned to winning way’s as Galway County Show played host to the sixth leg of the National Show Jumping league with a superb double clear on Lundy Lad.

In what was his first win in this year’s National League Connors sealed victory on Sean Hayden’s Lundy Lad finishing just under half a second ahead of Mayo’s Eric Glynn.

Out of a total of 58 entrants, eleven made it to the jump off at the Clarinbridge venue and among those was National League runner up for the past 2 years Tholm Keane.  Aglish native Keane on Ronan Tynan’s Warrenstown U2 finished third with a time of 40.09 while Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney took fourth on Chatsworth Dan in a time of 40.45.

Cappagh lady rider Gemma Phelan who has been in brilliant form in the Munster Grand Prix league also finished among the prizes when 7th with her own ‘’Kilcannon Brigade’’

Munster PRO & Press Officer Brian Hennessy  +353876120717

In Show jumping news Limerick's Captain Shane Carey  won the speed class at Drammen in Norway yesterday (Friday), riding the Minister for Defence's Irish-bred 'Cashla Bay' to an extremely comfortable 11-second victory over Germany's Andre Schroder.

This was Ireland's second win of the weekend, with  Tipperary's Shane Breen taking the trophy in Thursday's two-phase competition with 'Dorada'.

Both Shane Breen and Shane Carey have been selected for the Ireland team for today's (Saturday) Nations Cup competition in Norway. Carey will ride River Foyle with Breen on board Carmena Z.

The remaining two members of the Irish team are Derry's David Simpson and Alex Duffy from Mayo. 

The Nations Cup at Drammen gets underway at 1.30 pm Irish Time. 

THREE MUNSTER RIDERS IN NATIONS CUP ACTION THIS WEEKEND

Cashel's Shane Breen (Left) will be looking to collect more ribbons in the 4* Nations Cup Show in Drammen, Norway

The Munster Province will be well represented on the International stage this weekend beginning in the Netherlands where Denis Lynch lines out for Ireland in the 4th round of the Meydan Nations Cup Series at Rotterdam. The Tipperary town rider keeps up his record of having jumped at every round of the league so far this year when he partners 'Nababs Son' in today's (Friday) vital competition.

Lynch is joined at the Dutch venue by Jessica Kurten, Cameron Hanley and Captain David O'Brien.

Horse Sport Ireland Team manager Robert Splaine will be hoping for a better run of luck to help Ireland move off the bottom of the table as the Meydan Series reaches the halfway stage.

Meanwhile 2 more Munster men will line out for Ireland at the Nations Cup fixture in Drammen Norway. Tipperary's Shane Breen will give Carmel Ryan's stallion Carmena Z his nations Cup debut and is joined by Limerick's Captain Shane Carey. Two young riders complete the 4 strong team with Derry's David Simpson and Mayo's Alex Duffy gaining further International experience.

Closer to home Galway County show host's the 6th round ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League with a large group of riders from Munster making the trip including the winning duo from last weekend Mark O Sullivan (Balinamona Grand Prix winner) and Joe Owens(Limerick/Clare Munster Grand Prix winner)

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS MUNSTER FINAL
Please note that now is your chance to get teams entered for the All Ireland Inter County Team Championships Munster Final which will be held at the Charleville Show on Sunday June 28th.

There is no limit on the number of teams per county and teams can be made up from your county of birth or your postal address.
 
This is a great chance to get family and friends together and put your team in with a chance of being crowned as Munster Champions before going on to represent your county and province at the All Ireland Final at the National Horse Championships in August.
 
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to become part of a Championship team and with this competition being open to all Horse Riders it is sure to evoke County Pride in all present on the day.
 
County Colours or emblem may be worn on Saddle Clothes or numnahs or a flag or banner may be carried by a flag bearer prior to the competition or during the prize giving.
 
The height of the fences will be a maximum of 1.20m and the class will be run as a team competition (Article 265N) with the best 3 scores counting. A Horse & Rider Combination from each team must also be nominated for a Jump Off in the case of more than one team finishing on equal scores. All entries must be made to Ian Doyle on (063) 81239 before Wednesday June 24th.
 
This competition has been put in place to give everyone a chance to compete on a team and the chance to become part of a Championship Winning Team.

NO DOUBT ABOUT THE WINNER AS JOE OWENS TOP OF THE PILE
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

The increasingly successful Munster Grand Prix League continued at the Limerick/ Clare Show on Sunday last with Tipperary based rider Joe Owens taking an impressive victory with the Lissava Stud owned LVS No Doubt. He took home the lion’s share of the 3,000 euro on offer from sponsors Limerick/Clare branch of S.J.I and the Munster Greyhound Night fundraiser.

A large field of 43 horses and riders went to post and course designer Tony Hurley reduced this to 10 after the first round to set up an exciting jump-off. Drawn 3rd to go against the clock Joe Owens knew he had some experienced partnerships to follow him and opted to try to put pressure on the rest. After keeping all fences intact in a time of 44.02 he certainly did that with the Cavalier sired gelding LVS No Doubt.

This time was beaten by Trevor Breen and Bonjour View Pont VDM but one fence on the floor meant the Cashel rider would finish in 5th overall as the fastest of the 4 faulters. Waterford rider Gemma Phelan did leave all the poles standing but picked up 2 time penalties to leave the Cappagh lady in 4th place. Joe Owens had the luxury of having 2 horses in the jump off and opted for a steady clear (45.25) with the stunning Carthago Z stallion Cobra which was good enough to finish in 3rd.

League leader Francis Connors was perfectly placed when last to go with John Morrissey’s Cooldaragha Murphy but came home over a second slower that the target time to leave him in the runner up position for the second day in a row after Mark O Sullivan pipped him at the Balinamona National Grand Prix 24 hours earlier.

Afterwards a delighted Joe Owens was quick to praise his horsepower, ‘The two horses jumped brilliant for me today, Cobra is such a pleasure to ride and LVS No Doubt is getting better with each outing. It’s hard to find time to travel to the shows we are so busy at Lissava Stud at the moment, but that’s a good complaint and I think people appreciate being able to see stallions like Cobra in action and he is certainly popular with breeders this season. When the stud season is over we will have a bit more time to compete and hopefully have more days like today.

The next round of the Munster Grand Prix League takes place in a fortnight time at Charleville Show Co Cork on the weekend of June 27th & 28th.

FULL RESULT MUNSTER ‘GREYHOUNG NIGHT ‘GRAND PRIX LEAGUE LIMERICK/ CLARE BRANCH AT KENNEDYS DOHYLE HOUSE STUD
1 JOE OWENS, LVS NO DOUBT C/C 44.02
2 FRANCIS CONNORS, COOLDARAGHA MURPHY  C/C 45.13
3 JOE OWENS, COBRA C/C 45.25
4 GEMMA PHELAN, KILLCANNON BRIGADE  C/2   52.00
5 TREVOR BREEN, BONJOUR VIEUX PONT VDM  C/4  42.95
6 STEPHAINE FINNETTO, HERACROSS  C/4  46.42

ACTION PACKED WEEKEND AHEAD IN MUNSTER
BY BRIAN HENNESSY - MUNSTER REGION PRO

Waterford native Mark O'Sullivan will compete on home soil in tomorrows Ballinamona National Grand Prix sponsored by Cleaboy Business Park



The Munster province host’s a double bill of Grand Prix action this weekend beginning at Balinamona Equestrian Centre Co Waterford on Saturday with the latest round of The ShowjumpIreland National Grand Prix League. A total of 26 horses and riders have declared for the 3,000 euro Grand Prix which is sponsored by Cleaboy Business Park Waterford.

Among what is a high quality field is 10 times National League champion Francis Connors who with 3 horses entered will surely be the one to beat. Another local rider Tholm Keane has been in excellent form of late in big classes at Balmoral and Mullingar International, he also partners 3 top quality mounts including the Ronan Tynan owned stallion Warrenstown U2 who seems to be back to his best after missing much of last season through injury.

Reining Irish National Champion Trevor Breen will be among the favourites especially after last weekends Premier Series round at Claremorris where he picked up 3 wins and a runner up finish. The Cashel native will ride Adventure De Kannan and Always Cullohill on Saturday while fellow Tipperary man Greg Broderick will also be among the starters.

Kerry’s Maura Counihan who is just back from a spell competing in Portugal will partner Killerisk flight while Portuguese rider Miguel Bravo will add an International flavour to proceedings when he takes the reins aboard Heritage Fortuna and Heritage Cashmere.

Waterford trio Gemma Phelan, Paul Beecher and Mark O Sullivan have all been in good form lately in the Munster Grand Prix League and will be hoping to carry this through to the National League this weekend.
The ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix at Balinamona Co Waterford this Saturday June 13th gets underway at 2pm.

MUNSTER GREYHOUND NIGHT GRAND PRIX LEAGUE AT LIMERICK/CLARE
Meanwhile the Limerick Clare branch of ShowjumpingIreland will host the 3rd round of the hugely successful Munster Greyhound Night Grand Prix League this Sunday June 14th.   More details to follow on this tomorrow Friday.

ANOTHER INCREDIBLE WEEKEND FOR MUNSTER RIDERS

Billy Twomey and Je T'Aime Flamenco on their way to winning the €200,000 Swiss Grand Prix at St. Gallen

It has turned out to be a fantastic weekend for Munster born riders with superb display’s both at home and abroad. Top of the pile was Cork man Billy Twomey who saw off some of the world's top riders on Sunday when he snatched victory in the Swiss Grand Prix at St Gallen, with the only double clear round of the competition and collected 50,000 euro in prize money.

With the nine year-old stallion 'Je t'Aime Flamenco', the 32 year-old Cork-born rider was one of just three competitors to record a clear round first time out, and rode a careful second round to repeat his fault-free score, pipping Switzerland's Christina Liebherr to the trophy when she fell foul of her first-round single time fault.

Ironically Twomey was second in this very same Grand Prix in 2003 behind Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh congratulated Billy Twomey and said: "This was an outstanding victory in one of Europe's most important Grands Prix, and Billy was up against some of the world's most talented riders. It is also a phenomenal achievement for a nine year-old horse and augurs well for the Irish team in the future".

Meanwhile Tipperary’s Denis Lynch  collected the Leading Rider award at St. Gallen after a host of top ten finishes and a clear round in Friday’s Meydan Nations Cup.

MUNSTER ’GREYHOUND NIGHT’ GRAND PRIX LEAGUE
MARYVILLE STABLES CARRIGALINE CO CORK SUNDAY JUNE 7TH

A large field of 55 horses and riders produced an exciting afternoon’s entertainment at Maryville Stables Carrigaline Co Cork on Sunday, where for the second consecutive round it was Waterford’s Francis Connors who came out on top.

Course builder Tony Hurley gauged the field just about perfect and was left with 10 combinations safely through to the jump- off.  Tipperary based Joe Owens was first to go against the clock with the impressive Lissava Stud stallion ‘Cobra’ and produced one of the fastest times of the day but unfortunately had one fence down in 41.01 seconds to eventually leave him in 6th place.

2008 Munster Grand Prix winner Ger O Neill has already stated that he will do everything in his power to hold on to his title this year and a lightning fast clear in 37.42 seconds with ‘I Caesar’ put the Kilkenny man into the lead for a while at least on Leeside but his time was to only prove good enough for second place. 

10 times National Grand Prix Champion Francis Connors having tasted victory in the opening round at Aglish appears to be warming to the thoughts of adding the Munster Grand Prix title to his already bulging trophy cabinet. The Kill native took several risk’s with Sean Hayden’s Olympic Lux Gelding ‘Lundy Lad’, however they crossed the finish beam clear in 36.83 seconds. This time was to prove untouchable and gives Connors a commanding lead at the head of the table although plenty of rounds still remain in the Munster League.

Indeed it was a very profitable day for Francis a he also took home the 3rd place share of the 3,000 euro on offer from joint sponsors Maryville Stables & the Munster Greyhound Night Fundraiser after he piloted John Morrissey’s Cooldaragha Murphy to a clear in 43.32.

Co Limerick’s Michael Cusack finished in 4th place with the Tinarana Stud owned ‘Future Trend’. Indeed his time could have been much quicker if not for the extravagant jumping of the stallion and is certainly one to watch over the bigger tracks to come this season.

A large crowd of spectators at Maryville did have some local success to celebrate with Co Cork young rider Blayne Sheehan producing  a display way beyond his years steering ‘Allihies Diamond Boy’ to an excellent double clear in 46.56 for 5th place overall.

The Munster Region hosts a double bill of Grand Prix action this weekend. This Saturday June 13th Balinamona Equestrian Centre Co Waterford host’s a round of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League, while on Sunday June 14th, Kennedy’s Dohyle House Stud will be the venue for the Limerick/ Clare branch show featuring the third round of the Munster Grand Prix League.

FULL RESULT ; MUNSTER 'GREYHOUND' NIGHT' GRAND PRIX MARYVILLE CO CORK Sunday June 7th
1 Francis Connors, Lundy Lad                     0/0  36.83
2 Ger O Neill, I Caesar,                                 0/0  37.42
3 Francis Connors, Cooldaragha Murphy   0/0 43.32
4 Michael Cusack, Future Trend                0/0 45.15
5 Blayne Sheehan, Allihies Diamond Boy   0/0  46.56
6 Joe Owens, Cobra                                       0/4  41.01
7 Sebastian Bak, Tinirana Velvet                0/4 41.69
8 Mark O Sullivan, Amigo                             0/4 43.82
9 Ger O Neill, Cassidee                                0/4 45.12
10 Sinead Kennedy, KEC Alicante             0/4 45.31
 
55 starters
10 thru to Jump off  

MUNSTER ’GREYHOUND NIGHT’ GRAND PRIX LEAGUE

After an exciting opening round at Aglish Co Waterford a fortnight ago the Munster Greyhound Night Grand Prix League moves to Maryville Stables Carrigaline Co Cork this Sunday (June 7th). Waterford’s Francis Connors heads the leader board at this early stage while Cork native Sean Walsh who was in excellent form at Aglish when finishing runner up will be hoping for another good result on home soil this weekend.

A full range of classes will run at Maryville on Sunday including a round of the ‘Ballymaloe Country Relish 1.10m Ladies league as well as a 1.10 speed Derby with a Jaguar saddle valued at 1800 euro going to the winner.

Meanwhile at the same venue this Saturday 6th of June Maryville hosts its Premier Pony Summer Show sponsored by ShowjumpingIreland, Horse Sport Ireland and O Brien’s Saddlery. A packed day of to class pony jumping includes Pony Grand Prix classes, Munster Novice League qualifiers and a range of Speed Derby competitions.

MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEADERBOARD FOLLOWING AGLISH
Francis Connors          10
Sean Walsh                 8
Gemma Phelan            6
Corinne Hyde               5
Mark O'Sullivan            4
Paul Beecher               3
Stephanie Finetto         1
Tadhg Beecher             1
 

ALL MUNSTER TEAM TAKE 6th IN MEYDAN NATIONS CUP

IRELAND''S all Munster team finished equal sixth of ten teams competing in the Meydan Nations' Cup in Rome, Italy today (Friday) on a total of 20 faults, with the USA taking the trophy on an aggregate of four faults.

The Irish team recorded two clear rounds first time out, from Tipperary's Denis Lynch and 'Nabab's Son' and Cork's Billy Twomey with 'KEC Maximum Joe'. 28 yaer old Kanturk born Shane Sweetnam had four faults in both rounds with 'Amaretto d'Arco', while Lynch faulted once in the second round and Twomey twice. Carrick on Suir's Kevin Babbington was the discard score in both rounds.

Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine said afterwards: "We had a very good first round, with solid and encouraging performances from three of the riders, and I was hopeful that we would repeat this performance in the second round, but we just weren't good enough. We will need to be more consistent. This is a two round competition and at this very high standard we need four solid riders and horses ready to perform at their best over both rounds.".
 
While Splaine might be dissapointed that Ireland slipped back after being joint leaders at the halfway stage it is a huge improvment on the sides performance in the opening round at La Baule a fortnight ago.
Irish Scores
 
Denis Lynch; Nabab’s Son 0/4 faults
Shane Sweetnam; Amaretto D’arco 4/4 faults
Kevin Babington; Caracas 23/12 faults
Billy Twomey; KEC Maximum Joe 0/8 faults
 
From Brian Hennessy
Press officer
Munster Region of ShowjumpingIreland
087 6120717

ALL-MUNSTER TEAM IN ROME NATIONS' CUP TODAY

Billy Twomey and KEC Maximum Joe make up the Munster Quartet in the Meydan Nations Cup team later today

FOUR riders, all from Munster, will jump for Ireland at the Italian Nations' Cup today (Friday) in Rome. The Irish team has been drawn to compete second of ten nations. The team in order of jumping is:

Denis Lynch
Shane Sweetnam
Kevin Babington
Billy Twomey.

Denis Lynch and Kevin Babington are from Tipperary while Billy Twomey and Shane Sweetnam hail from Cork.

Ireland has not won the Rome Nations' Cup once in its 100 year history and Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine, himself a Corkman, says ''today will be a tough competition for the Irish riders as the best teams in the world will be competing.''

The competition starts at 2.45pm Irish time and live score updates will be available on Horse Sport Ireland’s website at www.horsesportireland.ie

The Irish team will ride the following horses:

Denis Lynch - Nabab’s Son
Shane Sweetnam - Amaretto D’arco
Kevin Babington - Caracas
Billy Twomey - KEC Maximum Joe

CONNORS CLAIMS VICTORY IN MUNSTER GRAND PRIX OPENER
BY BRIAN HENNESSY

The Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League finally got underway at Aglish Co Waterford on Saturday last after the recent poor weather forced the cancellation of the opening round at Kennedy’s Dohyle House Stud Limerick, and the postponement of Aglish Gymkhana a week ago.

After an exciting competition it was Francis Connors who came out on top with the John Morrissey owned ‘ Cooldaragha Murphy’  but the reining National Grand Prix League Champion was made to fight all the way for his latest victory.

Seventeen horses and riders went to post over a Tony Hurley designed course of which six combinations made it safely through to the jump- off. First to go against the clock was Sean Walsh from Ballincollig Co Cork riding his own bay gelding ‘Kimberlite’ who is by Coolcorron Cool Diamond out of an Ozymandias mare. A lightning fast clear round by this partnership who earlier in the day were victorious in the 1m 20 class really set the pace stopping the clock in 38.89 which was to prove good enough for 2nd place overall.

 Speaking afterwards the 23 year old who later in the day also finished runner up in the High Jump class was delighted with his days work. “The horse (Kimberlite) is in really great form, I tried to go a quick as I could in the Jump off but I knew that there were good riders following me. It is definitely a great consolation that I was only piped at the finish By Francis, he is of course “The Master “, I hope to compete at most of the remaining round of the Munster Grand Prix league and one or two National Grand Prix’s also.”  

With the luxury of two horses in the Jump off Francis Connors was always going to be the one to beat, the first of which was Alice Keogh’s  ‘Westwinds Cirracruise’ but despite a good effort they were just over a second slower eventually slotting into 3rd place. Another local rider who made the jump-off was Mark O Sullivan with the Heartbreaker gelding ‘Amigo’, they looked impressive in the opening round but were out of sorts in round 2 and the Butlerstown native decided to retire after having a couple of fences on the floor settling for 6th place overall. The first of two lady riders to take on the target was Gemma Phelan and was it not for the exuberant jumping of her mount ‘Kilcannon Brigade’ she might have been a lot quicker than her time of 40.71 which left them in 4th place at the end of the class.

Commentator at Aglish Kieran O Donovan was certainly correct when he earmarked Cork rider Corinne Hyde as one to watch in the jump off.  She piloted ‘Aubeg Duchess’ to the fastest time of the day (38.07) but unfortunately one fence on the floor dropped her down to 5th place on the leader board.

Saving the best till last Kill's Francis Connors set off at a determined pace and without ever looking like he was travelling lightning quick some trademark slick tight turns aboard the long striding John Morrissey's owned Cooldaragh Murphy, Connors managed to leave all fences intact coming home in a time of 38.08 seconds to take the win and the lion’s share of the 3,000 euro on offer from Sponsors ‘Aglish Gymkhana’ and Munster region of ShowjumpingIreland.

 Indeed it proved to be a very profitable day for Connors as he went on to claim the 1,000 euro winner takes all prize thanks to sponsors “Molaisin Compost” in the Aglish High Jump competition when he was the only rider to clear the fence in the final round when it stood at 1m 85cms high (6ft 1 inch) and 1m 80cms wide. He achieved the mammoth leap aboard the Highfort Stud owned Ramiro B gelding ‘Herracross’. Indeed as shows around the country look for ways to attract spectators it is worth noting that the Aglish High Jump captured the imagination of the watching audience like nothing I have seen before. The winning horse and rider were mobbed by fans at the finish hoping to get a closer look at them both standing beside the huge fence.

 The final class of the day was another crowd pleaser as the 1m 10 speed derby produced a host of thrills and spills before Amanda Fahy made the long journey all the way from Creaughwell Co Galway worthwhile. She partnered her Father John Fahy’s 7 year old ‘Malt Striker’ mare ‘Lackyle Limited Edition’ to the winner’s enclosure to claim the majority of the 1500 prize purse on offer from sponsor Fran Mangan.

FURTHER INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS FOR WATERORD OWNERS
Waterford couple Carmel and Dermot Ryan from Grange Park Road Waterford city kept their amazing recent run of form going on Saturday when their own 11 year old stallion Royal Concorde claimed a fantastic win in the Hamburg Speed Derby in Germany under the guidance of Tipperary’s Shane Breen. This result follows two recent wins by another stallion Carmena Z who is also owned and bred by the local couple .

FULL RESULT OF THE MUNSTER’GREYHOUND NIGHT’ GRAND PRIX AT AGLISH CO WATERFORD
1st Francis Connors 'Cooldaragha Murphy'  C/C; 38.08
2nd Sean Walsh 'Kimberlite' C/C ;38.89
3rd Francis Connors 'Westwinds Cirracruise Double’ C/C; 39.99
4th Gemma Phelan 'Kilcannon Brigade' C/C ; 40.71
5th Corinne Hyde 'Awbeg Duchess’ C/C ; 38.07
6th Mark O Sullivan 'Amigo' C/ R

CASHEL’S SHANE BREEN CLAIMS ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL WIN
Tipperary’s Shane Breen continued his excellent run of form this week by winning the Welcome Stakes at the 2 star International Show in Balmoral Belfast with the 9 year old stallion Carmena Z.  Thirty three year old Breen from Cashel who is now based at Hickstead in England beat off the challenge of Co Derry young rider David Simpson with the Diamond Corrugated ‘Cruise With Me’ who recently won the Lummen Grand Prix of Belgium. This was the second win in a fortnight for Breen and Carmena Z’s owners Carmel and Dermot Ryan from Grange Park Road in Waterford after their stallion won another International Competition at  three-star show in Maubeuges France ten days ago.

It proved to be an excellent weekend for another Tipperary Rider as Greg Broderick claimed victory at the Horse Sport Ireland Six and Seven Year-Old Final at Cavan Show on Sunday last, with the only double clear round in an eight horse jump-off.

The 23 year-old Thurles rider was piloting Austin Broderick's 'Ballypatrick Flight', a bay mare by Laughton's Flight and bred by Ita Brennan from Kilkenny, and recorded a time almost ten seconds slower than Conor Drain from Co. Down, whose speed cost him a single pole on the floor with Judith Sossick's mare 'Loughview Lou Lou'.

COSTELLOE SOLUTIONS TO SPONSOR MUNSTER FINAL OF INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS 
The Munster final of the Inter County Championships will take place at Charleville Co Cork on the 28th of June under the sponsorship of Costelloe Solutions Tralee Co Kerry who provide a range of Services including Nationwide Building Energy Ratings, Asset Finance, Car and Agri Loans along with property valuation advice and Mortgage services.

The All Ireland Final, for which the winner’s will lift the Dundrum Cup, will be held at the National Championships which will be held at Coilog in August.  The Championships is also paying homage to one of Ireland’s greatest Equine superstars, Dundrum who was regularly ridden by former Irish Chef D’Equip Tommy Wade.  The man behind this initiative is Wilson Porter, who brought the idea to ShowjumpingIreland with the idea of expanding popularity Show Jumping through the ‘’passion of the parish”.

AGLISH GYMKHANA REFIXED FOR THIS SATURDAY
The Aglish Gymkhana was cancelled last Sunday due to weather conditions but has been re- scheduled for this Saturday the 23rd of May. The full programme of competitions listed for last Sunday have been retained including the speed derby, Munster Grand Prix and High Jump Class, so the advice is to get along to Aglish Co Waterford this Saturday for a day of top class Show Jumping.

Munster PRO & Press Officer Brian Hennessy  +353876120717

Following the cancellation of the first round at Kennedy’s Dohyle House Stud in Co Limerick back in April due to bad weather this years Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix league gets underway at the annual Aglish Gymkhana in Co Waterford this Sunday.

The Aglish show is always one of the most popular dates on the calendar and this year promises to be no exception with an action packed day of top class Show jumping in prospect. One of the highlights of the 2008 season was the 1m 10 speed derby at Aglish and this class will again take centre stage with 1,000 euro on offer from sponsor Fran Mangan. Not a class for the faint hearted it proved a huge hit with spectators although some of the competitors may not be relishing the challenge if the times finish up as quickly as 12 months ago.

Another crowd puller last term was the Aglish high jump which last year was won by Tholm Keane at a height of 1 meter 95 cms (6 ft 5 inches). The local rider will be hoping to defend his title this year in the class sponsored by Molaisin Compost.

The main event of the day will be the Munster Grand Prix League opener which carries a 3,000 euro prize fund. Many of the countries top riders will travel to Co Waterford in search of valuable league points ensuring a top class competition.

Last year's Munster League exceeded all expectations with large entries at each of the rounds held throughout Munster. The brainchild of Jerry Sweetnam whose idea it was to hold a greyhound night in order to raise funds for show jumping in the region, it proved a stroke of genius by the Corkman with a total of 27,000 euro raised from the venture at Cork Greyhound stadium in its first year. With the current economic climate repeating this feat for the 2009 season was a daunting task but to the credit of all involved this year’s league boasts a total prize fund of 29,000 euro.

The league continues with rounds at Maryville, Limerick/Clare, Charleville, Dungarvan and Limerick Show with the final at Banteer on the 30th of August. The leading rider will walk away with a further 5,000 euro making this the richest Show jumping league in Munster. Last year’s overall winner Kilkenny’s Ger O Neill is keen to defend his title this term ‘It was super to win the Munster Grand Prix league in 2008 and definitely along with the Premier Series I will be hoping to take in as many rounds as possible’.  Another rider who enjoyed great success in last year’s event was current National Champion Trevor Breen. ‘It is great to have a league of this quality at home in Munster. It has really rased the bar at our local shows with great prize money and hard fought competition’ said the Tipperary native.

Also getting underway in the coming weeks will be the Munster 1m 10 league and the Munster Amateur League both of which are part funded by the Greyhound night and the Munster region of ShowjumpingIreland. Chairperson of the region Joan Keane also pointed out that a large proportion of the funding comes from the ShowjumpingIreland sports development grant. ‘We were delighted with the success of last year’s leagues and we hope it has gone some way to help our local shows to increase their entries.’

Meanwhile away from the main arena a full programme of classes for all levels will be provided at Aglish this Sunday while one of the highlights in the pony arena will be the Carling King Pony League which was a huge success in 2008 and is this year sponsored by ‘The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store’ Cullencastle Tramore.

Denis Lynch (Left) is one of 4 Munster Native's on next week's Meydan Nations Cup Squad

 HORSE Sport Ireland show jumping Team Manager Robert Splaine has named the five man squad who will travel to La Baule, France next week for the first of the new Meydan Nations' Cup series, which from this year onwards replaces the Samsung Super League.

Incredibly four of the five riders named come from the Munster province with Kildare born Cian O Connor the being the exception.

Cork born Shane Sweetnam makes his European debut on an Irish team although he was part of the Ireland squad that finished 2nd in the Nations Cup at Wellington in Florida last March. The 28 year old has been based in the US for the last 5  years. The youngest son of Jerry and Marie Sweetnam from Kanturk rides ‘Spy Coast Farm’s ‘Amaretto d’Arco’.  

Tipperary boast’s three members of the squad beginning with Denis Lynch who has the luxury of bringing 3 horses to La Baule (Abbervail van het Dingeshof, All Inclusive and Nabab's Son) from which he will select one for Fridays team competition.

Just like Shane Sweetnam Kevin Babington left these shores for the US many years ago and is most famous for his partnership with ‘Carling King’. The chestnut gelding has since been retired but in ‘Souvenir’ the Carrick on Suir native has found a suitable apprentice achieving some impressive results recently on the American circuit.

The third Tipp rider is 24 year old Tomas Ryan from Thurles. He was a last minute call up to the Ireland squad last September for the league final in Barcelona and his performance was crucial in helping Ireland to finish in 4th place on the day thus maintaining their Super-League status. Ryan will bring ‘Amaretto d’Arco to La Baule with whom he won the Wetzicon Grand Prix in Switzerland last autumn. 

Speaking last week team manager  Robert Splaine from Cork was in was in optimistic mood "La Baule is always unpredictable, being the first Cup of the season, and it will be even more so this year, with ten nations competing instead of eight. All nations will be putting their toe in the water for the first time in the Meydan series. La Baule is always a very strong competition, but equally, I think we'll be putting in a very strong performance."

Ireland finished in fifth place at the end of the Samsung Super League series in 2008. The Meydan Series is restricted to the top ten show jumping nations in the world, and at the end of the year, after the final at the Dublin Horse Show, the two lowest-placed teams will be relegated. 
 

Munster PRO & Press Officer Brian Hennessy  +353876120717

The Munster region of Show jumping Ireland are delighted to add 'Spin South West' radio to its growing list of media partners. This weekends action in the Munster grand prix league will be covered on Saturday in their sports bulletins with a full round up of the weekend action sometime after 2pm on Sunday afternoon. To Listen to Spin South West tune in to 102 to 103 & 94.7 FM if you are in their region or you can log in to www.spinsouthwest.com to listen live on the internet from anywhere. See about Spin South West below.
SPIN South West is a regional radio station for 15-34 year olds based in Limerick and broadcasting to Clare, Limerick, Kerry, North Tipperary and South West Laois. It is backed by a mixture of local and national expertise in media.

SPIN South West Ltd is owned by a group of shareholders including Clare Community Radio Holdings plc, Communicorp Group Ltd, Jerry Kennelly, John O'Connor, Liam O'Shea, Setanta Radio Ltd and Keith Wood.
SPIN South West is a focused radio service that is articulate, inspired, energetic and contemporary. SPIN South West is a service that steps away from traditional borders, embraces 15-34 year olds and creates a new space. SPIN South West is part of the 15-34 year old community that reflects the lives of our audience.
SPIN South West is a stand alone regional radio station fortunate enough to draw on the expertise and experience of its successful sister station SPIN 103.8 in Dublin.

SPIN South West is different from everything that has gone before in Irish radio because our audience expects us to be. We are committed to a first class radio station for 15-34 year olds in the South West region. The SPIN Brand is already a successful and recognised brand that is relevant to 15-34 year olds in the Dublin market.
SPIN South West has the calibre of Irish management expertise and can call on a team that encompasses local, regional and national experience

MUNSTER 'GREYHOUND NIGHT' GRAND PRIX LEAGUE 2009
(Brian Hennessy)
 

Following what was a hugely successful first season in 2008 this years Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix league gets underway today (Saturday April 25th) at Kennedy’s Dohyle House Stud in Co Limerick.

Last years event exceeded all expectations with large entries at each of the league rounds held throughout Munster. The brainchild of Jerry Sweetnam whose idea it was to hold a greyhound night in order to raise funds for show jumping in the region.  This proved a stroke of genius by the Corkman with a total of 27,000 euro raised from the venture at Cork Greyhound stadium in its first year. With the current economic climate repeating this feat for the 2009 season was a daunting task but to the credit of all involved, this year’s league boasts a total prize fund of 29,000 euro. Each of the 8 league rounds will carry a prize purse of 3,000 euro beginning on Saturday at Kennedy’s Dohyle House with Browns Agri Business CastleIsland as the sponsors of the feature class.

The league continues with rounds at Aglish, Maryville, Limerick/Clare, Charleville, Dungarvan and Limerick Show with the final at Banteer on the 30th of August. The leading rider will walk away with a further 5,000 euro making this the richest Show jumping league in Munster. Last year’s overall winner Kilkenny’s Ger O Neill is keen to defend his title this term ‘It was super to win the Munster Grand Prix league in 2008 and definitely along with the Premier Series I will be hoping to take in as many rounds as possible’ . Another rider who enjoyed great success in last year’s event was current National Champion Trevor Breen. ‘It is great to have a league of this quality at home in Munster. It has really raised the bar at our local shows with great prize money and hard fought competition’ said the Tipperary native.

Also getting underway in the coming weeks will be the Munster 1m 10 league and the Munster Amateur League both of which are part funded by the Greyhound night and the Munster region of ShowjumpingIreland. Chairperson of the region Joan Keane also pointed out that a large proportion of the funding comes from the ShowjumpingIreland sports development grant. ‘We were delighted with the success of last year’s leagues and we hope it has gone some way to help our local shows to increase their entries.’

Also announced this week was a detailed media plan for the province. All Munster Grand Prix and National leagues will benefit from increased coverage on radio and newspapers within the region aimed at increasing public awareness of shows in the area. Live reports on local radio stations along with audio interviews with top riders are just some of the new initiatives that will be rolling out over the coming months.

Munster PRO & Press Officer Brian Hennessy  +353876120717

SPONSORED BY THE CLOTHES HORSE EQUESTRIAN STORE CULLENCASTLE TRAMORE CO WATERFORD & THE WATERFORD & TIPPERARY BRANCH OF SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND

The Waterford & Tipperary Branch of ShowjumpingIreland are delighted to announce details of the Carling King Pony league for 2009. Following the incredible success of the 2008 Carling King league this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better. Many of last season’s qualifiers attracted over 50 entries at each venue and it is anticipated that that number will increase this year.  The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store Cullencastle Tramore Co Waterford are new sponsors to the series and will provide fantastic prizes for the Final as well as additional support at the qualifying rounds.
Situated  just 5 miles from Waterford city and 1 mile from Tramore The Clothes Horse Equestrian store has proven an invaluable asset to the equestrian community in the south east since its opening in September 2008. They have one of the largest ranges of Horse feeds and supplements in Ireland and are agents for “Kingsland”, “Dubary” and “Tagg” clothing. They also stock the prestigious “Jaguar Equestrian” range from Harry Dabbs and provide an on site Embroidery, Blade Sharpening and Rug washing service.
Speaking at the launch of the league proprietors of The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store Brian and Angela Larkin said “We are delighted to be involved in the Carling King Pony League for the first time this year. It is a great competition for our very youngest pony riders and by all accounts it was a great success in 2008”.
The Waterford/ Tipperary Branch of ShowjumpingIreland will also provide support again this year and without the generous contribution of both of these sponsors, leagues of this nature would be impossible to organize.

Named after the famous Irish bred horse Carling King who finished 4th at the Athens Olympics in 2004 as well as a host of International Grand Prix victories. Carling King has many connections to the Waterford & Tipperary area. He was purchased as a yearling by Finbar Harrington from Cappoquin who 2 years later sold the chestnut gelding to the Buckley family from Cappoquin near Dungarvan. He was ridden up to Grand Prix level by Michael Buckley who also jumped him at the World Breeders Championships in Lanaken. He was sold to the United States as a 7 year old where he went on to form a formidable partnership with Carrick on Suir born Kevin Babbington
The Carling King Pony league is open to 128 & 138 ponies and full details of venues, rules and prizes are available on the ShowjumpingIreland web site www.sji.ie under the Regional news/Munster section.  
Venues as follows

Cork/Kerry Venues
Kingdom County 10th May
Mallow 31st May
Killeagh & District 21st June
Maryville
Blackrock Charity 14th June

LIMERICK/CLARE VENUES
Banner Equestrian May 9th
Limerick / Clare 24th May
Ruan 7th June
West Clare June 27th June
Limerick & District 18th July

Waterford/Tipp Venues
Aglish 17th May
Goatenbridge 7th June
Ballyrafter 10th June
Ballinamona 13th June
Clonmel 5th July
Dunhill 12th July
Dungarvan 23rd July (Thursday)

Final: Waterford/Tipperary Branch Gymkhana 26th July

CARLING KING PONY LEAGUE PRIZES
Everyone who qualifies for the grand final will receive a special prize
Trophies and rugs to places 1 to 6 in the Grand final.
Trophy and rug to the pony/ rider combination who gain the most stars over all of the qualifying rounds.
Special league Rosettes will be awarded to every competitor at every qualifying round.
At each qualifying round 2 Rosettes will be marked at random by the judges with special prizes awarded to those who receive them.
Once a rider wins one of these special prizes they cannot win another one at the remaining qualifying rounds.

CARLING KING PONY LEAGUE RULES
ALL ROUNDS WILL BE IN THE MUNSTER REGION BUT ARE OPEN TO RIDERS FROM ALL 4 REGIONS OF THE S.J.I
Each qualifying round will be jumped over a simple course of fences 1 to 8 in first round and 1 to 6 in second round with one double and no treble. Fence height 70cm. Need to check if double allowed.
Open to 128 & 138 ponies of any grade.
No S.J.I Points will be awarded for this competition.
Riders may qualify a maximum of 2 ponies for the grand final.

Qualifying system at each round of the league is as follows:
• Riders will receive 1 star for participation.
• 1 star for jumping clear in their first round.
• 1 star for jumping clear in their second round.
• 1 star bonus for jumping a double clear round.
• 1 star for completing the course without elimination.
• This means a maximum of 5 stars can be won at each qualifying round.
The top 30 pony/ rider combinations on the league table following final qualifying round at Dungarvan Show 23rd of July will qualify for the grand final to be held at the WATERFORD/ TIPPERARY BRANCH GYMKHANA on Sunday 26th July. Only these qualified pony/rider combinations may compete at the final.
Pony /Rider combinations competing in open A Grade classes may not compete, although these riders may compete on novice ponies.
The grand final will be run with first round clears jumping a second round and winners decided by optimum time. Height of the fences in the final 80cm.
The cost of entry for each qualifying round shall be no more than €15.
The cost of entry for the grand final will be €20.
Pony/Riders may compete on temporary tickets at an additional charge of €5 each.
No prize money will be awarded for this competition.
The organizers may cancel any one of the qualifying rounds without replacing it.
Further information available from   Brian Hennessy 087 6120717 email  equestrianpr@gmail.com
And also from Peter Oates on 087 2633742