Kellie Allen
16 year old Kellie Allen from Kells in county Meath has been competing on the pony circuit for several and is about to make the transition to horses.

There can be no better way to make such a transition than to collect a substantial prize and none are bigger or more coveted than a Gold Medal at the European Championships.�

The first Irish winner since Emma Wilson completed back to back wins in 1995 and 1996 following on from Patrick Hanlon’s win in 1994 with Shalom Outlaw, Kellie has lodged her name in the Irish Show Jumping history books by being the latest Gold Medal winner.  Beating off Murphy’s Flight and Danish rider Christiane Tetzlaff in a jump off, Allen rode Ballyowen Maybell Molly to victory in Moorselle earlier this week.

Daughter of Stud owners, Norman and Lucy Allen, Kellie has shown experience beyond her years as she made her way through the pony ranks.  Since taking over the ride this year on Anthony McCormack’s Ballyowen Maybell Molly, Allen also won the Pony Starfinder in Louth County along with several places in the Pony Premier League.  She has been a force to be reckoned with over the years and her many wins at the highest prove strength to her already large CV.

Although a win in the RDS has eluded Allen goes there this year with several major chances in the 148 division including the now famous Ballyowen Maybell Molly.  Going into Dublin with full confidence following her win in the European Championships, Allen will not be going down without a fight to make this memorable week even better.

Emma O’Dwyer
Having begun her career in the Showing rings, Emma was not long in the Show Jumping arena before making a name for herself.

She first competed in the lead rein classes before winning the Working Hunter division when just 11 years old.  Moving into the Show Jumping arena and O’Dwyer made her way into the main arena with Rock DJ in the 128 section and the pair duly obliged.  Competing in several countries around Europe O’Dwyer picked several places including a 10th place finish in the Wierden Grand Prix to set up her assault at the European Championships.

Although only featuring in the line up once this year in the Pony Premier, the Kilkenny native and her Championship mount Edna made a strong impression on all spectators.  Earlier this year they won the Kill leg of the Pony Spring Tour along with a host of other high profile victories since taking over the ride from Andrew Latta early in 2007.

Still eligible for 138 ponies, O’Dwyer is sure to be looking forward to an excellent career in 148 ponies.  Her fourth place in Moorselle will prove that she is capable of performing at the highest level and is a rider to look forward to seeing over the coming years.

Michael Duffy
Seventh in the European Championships, Michael Duffy has had a wonderful season to date and this seventh place will put the icing on the cake.�

The Claregalway native is currently lying in second the Premier Pony League behind Tom Foley having accumulated wins at Cavan and Barnadown in successive weeks in May.  His win in Barnadown was the final leg of a wonderful weekend where Duffy and Sillogue Darkie kept a clean sheet throughout the weekend.

Coming from a family steeped in Show Jumping tradition, Michael has been riding since he was eight years old.  Having competed internationally on 13 occasions and was placed second twice on Nations Cup teams in Europe.  He was also part of the silver medal Children on Horses team that travelled to Istanbul in 2007.

He has since also taken over the ride on Sligo Saddlery Killard Horizon and is now showing his talents in the horse division.  Having qualified for the RDS in the 1.30m class, Duffy and Killard Horizon have slowly made their way up the leader board in the Connaught Grand Prix league and are now in seventh in that league.�

With several ponies and horses in this week’s RDS Dublin Horse Show, Duffy will be out to maintain his good run of form and he will also be looking for that elusive first win at Ireland’s premier Show Jumping fixture.

Emily Turkington
A member of the Bronze medal winning team in 2007, this was Emily Turkington’s third European Championship visit.�

Having taken several wins around the country and in Wales and West, Turkington is a famous face around the pony circuit.  In her final year in the pony ranks, the Belfast rider has picked up several wins in some of the biggest classes in Ireland.  Eighth individually in last year’s Championships Emily Turkington is widely renowned as one of Ireland’s future stars.�

Winners of many of the most coveted prizes in the calendar, Turkington has collected prizes in the RDS, the Premier Pony League and also in the Northern Ireland International Horse to name but a few.

Since acquiring the ride of Sambo Lino late in 2008, the pair have gelled together to become one of the most formidable combinations on the National pony circuit.  Wins in the Pony Spring Tour and now as a member of the Silver Medal team, Turkington and the Dutch bred gelding have a lot to look forward including the classes at the RDS throughout this week.

Alex Buller
This was Alex Buller’s first time at the European Championships and with an experienced mount in Kadia Mouche, the pair did very well.

Unlucky to miss out on a team place, Buller has shown great form of late with strong National and International results including a 4th place in the Wierden Grand Prix.  The county Down rider has been on the 148 circuit for several years now and shot to fame when just missing out on the 148 Championship in the RDS in 2007 with the legendary Colton Maelstrom finishing fourth with a fast time but with four faults.�

The Buller family have been long associated with Show Jumping with Alex’s mother, Vina collecting a gold medal at the European Championships when riding in the pony ranks.  Alex now also competes in the horse classes and is proving to be just as effective with a horse qualified for the RDS in the 1.10m division.

She is a rider with a keen eye for winning and she is one to watch out for in the near future.  Although already making a highly respected name for herself, Alex Buller’s reputation is set to soar.

SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND CONGRATULATE IRISH RIDERS AT EUROPEAN PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS

With outstanding results at the Pony European Championships this weekend Irish Showjumping can be rightly proud of its young ambassadors in Moorselle. Kellie Allen taking gold medal has given Ireland a timely boost going into Dublin and we hope that our senior riders will be celebrating similar results from Windsor later this month.

Kellie and her family and supporters are to be congratulated as are Emma O Dwyer, Emily Turkington, Michael Duffy and Alex Buller and their respective families and supporters. To have team silver was outstanding but these individual results are unbelievable. Without this support from parents and owners of ponies these results would not be possible and Irish Showjumping is grateful to you for your support.

All the background support and training has been of huge benefit and the Premier Pony Series has now proven that it is a real training and preparation ground for winning medals and ShowjumpingIreland will build on its strengths.

Huge credit must also go to Ian Fearon as Trainer and to Katy Saunders as SJI advisor who are truly dedicated to the children and ponies. ShowjumpingIreland look forward to welcoming the team home and will host a welcome home for the team at this weeks RDS Dublin Horse Show.

KELLIE ALLEN WINS GOLD MEDAL AT THE PONY EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

IN AN unprecedented weekend, Ireland scooped three medals at the European Pony Championships in Moorsele, Belgium - with 16 year-old Kellie Allen this afternoon (Monday) winning the Gold Medal in Individual Show Jumping.

Allen, from Kells in Co. Meath, rode Anthony McCormick's seven year-old Connemara pony 'Ballyowen Maybell Molly' and secured the Gold after a jump-off against Denmark's Christiane Tetzlaff, who was riding another Irish-bred pony, 'Murphy's Flight'.

Allen accumulated just four jumping faults over the entire weekend of competitions. Emma O'Dwyer and 'Edna' were fourth in the Individual Finals today, while Michael Duffy and 'Silogue Darkie' finished in equal seventh place.

SILVER MEDAL FOR IRISH TEAM IN PONY EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

KEANE WINS AGAIN TO GO 5 BEHIND CONNORS WITH 3 LEGS REMAINING

Waterford’s Francis Connors had looked to be strolling to a record 12th national league title having built up a healthy points advantage at the top of the table but an amazing run of results over the past eight days has saw his lead cut to just 5 points.

Deise county colleague Tholm Keane took all ten points when winning at Boswell in Co Wicklow last weekend and continued his incredible run of form with a double of wins at Cavan on Saturday last and at Co Clare Show on Sunday. Indeed it was a Tholm Keane one- two in Cavan where he guided Warrenstown Well Aware to pole position and Walterstown Clover into second.

A day later on Sunday  Aglish born Keane, who has finished runner up in this series the past two years steered the  Ronan Tynan owned Redmills Krafty Jack to his third win in a row, finishing just over a second ahead of Francis Connors and Lundy Lad at the Co Clare Show in Ennis. Keane also filled third and fourth places with Warrenstown U2 and Warrenstown Well Aware to scoop a large portion of the 4,000 euro on offer from sponsors  Roche Pharmaceuticals.

Ennis Show grounds were celebrating the official opening of recent redevelopments which include a new arena surface and surrounding services which cost close to four hundred thousand euro with local T.D and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture,fisheries and food  Tony Killeen performing the official opening.

Afterwards Keane had this to say, ‘’I thought a few weeks ago that the best I could hope for was to finish second behind Francis again this year, but these three wins in a row gives me a chance to maybe do a bit more than that, my horses seem to be coming good at the right time and we will head to the Iverk Show at Piltown on Thursday and hopefully my luck will continue’’.

Captain David O Brien finished in 5th place with ‘’Mo Chroi’’ while Limerick’s Niamh O Connell was the highest placed young rider in 9th place with ‘’Notting Hill’’

This combination of results leaves the title wide open once again with Tholm Keane just five points behind Francis Connors ahead of this Thursday’s round at the Iverk Show in Piltown Co Killkeny after which just two more rounds of the National League will remain.

KEANE TAKES 1-2 AS HE CLOSES IN ON FRANCIS CONNORS

Tholm Keane made a great start to the weekend as he attempts to close in on Francis Connors's strong lead in the National Grand Prix League.

In Connors's absence, the door was left wide open for Keane to make a big impression on the lead the his fellow Waterford native has made on the rest of the field.  Although Connors picks up the Munster Greyhound Night Grand Prix League, missing Cavan could cost him dearly.

Taking a one two on the day, Keane took a fine victory from four opponents in the Jump Off riding Ronan Tynan's Warrenstown Well Aware.  Although not posting the fastest time by any means, their only double clear was good enough to take full points and the win the self sponsored Cavan Equestrian Grand Prix.

Going into the leg at County Clare on Sunday, only 7 points separate the two at the top. 

Cavan Result
1st Tholm Keane on Warrenstown Well Aware (Ronan Tynan) 0/0 45.91
2nd Tholm Keane on Walterstown Clover (Ronan Tynan) 0/4 37.23
3rd Aisling Doherty on Jessie Duke (Zara Lynas) 0/8 49.73
4th Olive Clarke on Starboard (Michael Duignan) 0/12 35.14
5th Conor Drain on Slightly Bonkers (Tony Noble) 0/12 36.90
6th Edward Little on Kalvinretto (David Prentice BMW) 1/- 73.93
7th Gerard Clarke on Kellswater Crimson (Gerard Clarke) 1/- 74.14
8th Shane Connell on Carino (Patricia Connell) 1/- 74.64
9th Peter Smyth on Hygie Du Golfe (Pat Podmore) 4/- 64.35
10th Conor Drain Shanroe Penny (A. Smyth) 4/- 65.14

KEANE TAKES FIRST NATIONAL GRAND PRIX OF 09

Tholm Keane closed the gap slightly on his Waterford compatriot Francis Connors when taking the Boswell National Grand Prix on Sunday.

Riding Ronan Tynan's Narcos stallion Warrenstown You 2, the pair came to the narrowest of victories over Malahide based Conor Swail.  Although this was Keane's first victory in the league this year, he remains in chase of Connors and closes the gap to 17 points.  Their time of 43.46 was just enough to secure a tight victory.

Swail, who has been, travelling in Europe of late, was beaten by the closest of margins in a thrilling 8 horse jump off.  There was just .01 of a second between the two riders, when Swail put in a time of 43.47 on the O'Connor and Swail Stables Uretto.  Having recently sold his main mount Gold Digger, Swail's attentions will now turn to the very exciting Uretto for the remainder of this campaign.

Slotting into third was local rider Anne Marie Fitzpatrick riding the very consistent Finders Keepers.  Since taking runner up spot in the second Guidam of the season, Fitzpatrick has come on leaps and bounds to become almost regular to the line up in the National Grand Prix around the country.  This third place will move her up a lot on the league table to move inside the top 10.

Paul O'Shea filled the next two places with Camiro De Haar Z and Quiproquo De Ligny.  Not pushing either horse outside of their comfort zone, O'Shea picked three faults on both horses in the jump off.  The Limerick rider finished just ahead of Lisa O'Farrell and The Bodygaurd in sixth.

RESULT OF NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE IN BOSWELL
1 - Tholm Keane on Warrenstown You 2 0/0 43.46
2 - Conor Swail on Uretto (O'Connor and Swail Stable) 0/0 43.47
3 - Anne Marie Fitzpatrick on Finders Keepers 2 (Harry Fitzpatrick) 0/0 48.72
4 - Paul O'Shea on Camiro De Haar Z (Ronnie Hollinger) 0/3 64.01
5 - Paul O'Shea on Quiproquo De Ligny (Paul Clarke) 0/3 64.97
6 - Lisa O'Farrell on The Bodygaurd (Seamus Hutchinson) 0/4 50.10

CONOR DRAIN TAKES EUROPES LARGEST YOUNG RIDER PRIZE WITH SHANROE PENNY

Antrim native, Conor Drain took the honours today (Saturday), in the jointly sponsored €10,000 Pegus Horse Feeds/Tiffen Developments Young Rider Final at Mullingar Equestrian Centre. Riding Anthony Smyth’s Dutch Bred Shanroe Penny, the pair was the quicker of two double clear rounds from a 4 way jump off.  Drain, who went last in the timed round, proved unbeatable with a clear in a time of 33.70  Not content with just taking the winners slot, Drain also claimed fifth place with Tony Noble’s, Slightly Bonkers. Drain, who is based in Covehill stables, is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure, having clocked up a series of wins abroad and also on the National circuit.

A delighted Conor Drain commented: “It was a great win today; the horses are really in form. I would like to thank the sponsors for this great league”.
 
On hand to present the prizes was David Stone from Pegus, speaking afterwards he said: “The standard of jumping was super and we are delighted to be associated with this league”.
 
John Curran, from Tiffen developments added: “We had all our top young riders here today and the standard was excellent. The league has been a real success”.
 
The competition, which boasts Europe’s largest Young Riders prize fund, saw all the top riders battle it out over three rounds of intensive jumping. Eight riders went through to the second round; this number was then reduced to four combinations in the final round.
 
Ballina native, Alex Duffy riding Edenrock’s Investment’s, Tampa delivered the first treble clear on the ever consistent Tampa, but his time of 35.70 was only good enough for the runner-up spot.
 
Portlaoise native, Aidan Killeen riding his mother Caroline’s Du noble, took third place, following an unlucky four faults in 36.70. Killeen has demonstrated previous good form, having taken the Leading young rider prize at the South County Show.

FULL RESULT OF PEGUS HORSE FEEDS/TIFFEN DEVELOPMENTS FINAL €10,000
1.      Conor Drain – Shanroe Penny  (A. Smyth)                 0/0/0 33.70
2.      Alex Duffy – Tampa (Edenrock Investments)               0/0/0 35.70
3.      Aidan Killeen – Du Noble (Caroline Killeen)                0/0/4 36.70
4.      Shane Connell –   Carino (Raymond Connell)              0/0/8 40.91
5.      Conor Drain – Slightly Bonkers (Tony Noble)             0/4 44.73
6.      Vincent Byrne -  Cordonos  (Eleanor Byrne)                0/8 46.34

FITZGIBBON CLAIMS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THRILLING CONTEST

The 2009 ShowjumpingIreland National Championships provided two new champions with the Grand Prix Championship and Premier Series Champions decided on the day.

Nicola Fitzgibbon was crowned National Champion and followed on from her second place in 2008 when winning the final leg of the Premier Series along with taking the coveted Championship title.  Riding her own Puissance, the pair put in a foot perfect display in Saturday’s qualifier to put her in second place and in line for a shot at the title.

The track set by Alan Wade was set to International standard and provided several difficulties for many combinations.  The eventual winner was unlucky not be the third clear of the day when putting a foot in the water.  Overnight leader Captain David O’Brien and Mo Chroi did the same to leave both combinations on four faults in the second round.

Only Marion Hughes and Jordan Coyle managed to leave the arena on a perfect score and with Hughes in line for both the National Championship crown and the Premier Series title, the pressure was on her.  Heritage Fortuna proved to be quite difficult in the first round but they got the job done. 

Following Coyle’s sensational clear on Pirate, he then dismounted and went to apply his trade in the 148 arena in the 1.20m class which he duly won on Rock Dee Jay.  Coyle’s clear round meant that he would enter the arena as second last to go before Hughes made her shot at the title.

The top ten arrived back to compete for the Championship and although it was not until Captain David O’Brien came in that we saw the first clear round.  Riding the Minister for Defence’s Kiltoom, O’Brien put in a good bid but his time however it proved good enough for fourth place. 

Eddie Moloney was next in with Chatsworth Dan and with the Premier Series title up for grabs, Moloney needed to finish within the top six to ensure of the title.  A clear round was produced over the shortened and Moloney slotted into fifth and put him with in pole position for the Premier Series Championship.  However he needed to wait for Marion Hughes to go as she needed a win to take the title.

The overnight leaders David O’Brien and Mo Chroi took their chance.  Having had a foot in the water in the first round, O’Brien needed a clear to keep him in contention to be National Champion.  However things did not go their way and a fence on the floor kept them from taking the top spot on the day, but if luck was on their side they could still take the Championship.

Mark Kinsella opened many people’s eyes to the talent that he possesses when having a very unfortunate four faults on Irish Independent Echo Beach in the first round.  The pair then entered the arena with a realistic chance at becoming National Champions and following their clear round they were left on top spot. 

However, this did not last long as the eventual winner, Nicola Fitzgibbon was next to face the challenge.  Following a run a great results over the previous two weeks which included the Premier Series win in the South County along with winning the Eight Year Old and Over class at the RDS, Fitzgibbon arrived full of confidence.  Another of the clears in the second round, Fitzgibbon produced the fastest time of the day to put her in provisional first place.

Only the clear rounds were to go and only Marion Hughes could stand in Fitzgibbon’s way of taking the National Championship crown.  Jordan Coyle could have taken the class with a second clear, however it was not to be for the combination who produced the first clear round.  Three fences on the floor prevented them from taking the class and they were called out in seventh place at the finish.

Last to go was Marion Hughes and she was only one who could stand in the way of both FitzGibbon and Moloney for each of the titles.  Lying in third overnight with Heritage Fortuna, Hughes produced a clear in the first round and another clear would grant both Championship titles to the Kilkenny rider.  However, a fence down cost Hughes dearly and she slotted into third place which meant that Eddie Moloney claimed the Premier Series crown by just three points.

So Nicola Fitzgibbon is crowned the 2009 National Champion with Eddie Moloney claiming the 2009 Premier Series title.  Fitzgibbon who was second behind Trevor Breen in 2008 and she followed on from that by being named as this year’s National Champion.

Although Eddie Moloney did not take a win on the Premier Series, his several placed efforts kept him at the top of the table.  Without the services of both Chatsworth Dan and his new mount Highlander, this title would not have been possible and Moloney took home a cheque for €5,000 for his efforts throughout the ten leg Series.

KELLIE ALLEN COMPLETES REMARKABLE WEEK WITH WIN IN 148 CHAMPIONSHIP

European Gold Medalist Kellie Allen completed a memorable when taking the 148 Championship at the Dublin Horse Show today.

The rider from Kells, followed on from her historic victory in Moorselle on Monday with a victory on Prospect Peter in the Championship event.  The only double clear from seven jump off combinations, Allen, although not posting the quickest time in 37.26, did enough to secure another memorable win and complete a fantasic week for the Meath native.

Faster of the four faults was team mate, Emily Turkington.  Riding her European Championship mount Sambo Lino, the pair completed in a very fast time of 36.98 but a fence on the floor kept her off the top spot.

Winner of the 138 division, Bertram Allen slotted into third place.  Having gone second in the deciding round, Allen faltered early in the round, but recorded a time of 38.76 which was good enough for third overall.

The main event of the day takes place in the Main Arena and that is the final leg of the Meydan Nations Cup Series which will get underway at 1.20pm.  Ireland have been drawn sixth to go in the final leg with Cameron Hanley and Southwind Vdl acting as the pathfinders.

BERTRAM ALLEN CLAIMS 138 CHAMPIONSHIP IN MAIN ARENA

Bertram Allen managed two places better on last year when taking this morning's 138 Championship in the Main Arena at the RDS.

Riding Ballywalter Farms, Lough Gill, the pair placed third last year but made no mistake in this year final.  Leading from the front, Allen was the first to record a fault free round from the 14 that started and although his time of 28.68 was beaten, a double clear proved the decisive factor.  The Wexford rider followed from his Team Victory in Rowellan last weekend when riding Acapella Z taking this class.

Matt Garrigan riding Cider Girl slotted into second.  Although recording a much quicker time to Allen's in 28.20, a fence on the floor cost him dearly and they recived the blue ribbon.

The final pair in the jump off, Max O'Reilly Hyland and Frodo Baggins claimed third placed having a fence on the floor in a time of 31.85.

LYNCH BEST OF THE IRISH IN TWO PHASE CLASS

Denis Lynch was best placed of the Irish riders in the second International class on Day two of the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

Slotting into fourth place in the Knight Frank Power & Speed with Flaminia Strauman's All Inclusive, Lynch was the long time leader of the class until Roger Yves Bost enteredt the arena.  The legendary Frenchman produced a scintilating display to win the class in 29.36 and collect the lions share of €21,000.

Next best of the Irish riders was last night's winner Darragh Kerins with Night Train.  Taking sixth in this class, Kerins has kept the Irish flag flying high so far this week following his win in yesterday's feature class with Hunter Harrison's chestnut gelding.

The final International class of the day, the Six Bar, will get underway at 5.25.

*Please note: Following technical difficulties, Said Abdel was declared the winner of this class with Avenir

BREEN ADDS TO IRISH TALLY WITH WIN ON DAY 2

Shane Breen, pictured here winning the 2006 Hickstead with Eventing Grand Prix with Mullaghdrin Gold Rain, added to his Derby tally with a win in the Dublin Speed Derby today.

Shane Breen led home a fantastic 1, 2, 3 in the opening International Class on Day 2 of the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse when winning the Speed Derby with Mullaghdrin Gold Rain.

The winner of the Hickstead Eventing Grand Prix in 2006, Breen steered Keith and Gina Prescott's gelding to record another Derby victory in a time of 78.24. 

Cian O'Connor followed on from his second in yesterday's Speed class on Baloufina with another high profile result on Dermot O'Rourke's classy mare.  The daughter of Baloubet Du Rouet, who won the Aachen Speed Derby earlier this summer, completed a fine clear in 80.38 to slot into second.

Jessica Kuerten completed the Irish clean sweep taking third with Lady Georgina Forbe's Castle Forbes Cosma in 81.39.

Long time leader Denis Lynch set the early standard until eventual winner Breen entered the arena and provided an unbeatable time in the €21,000 class.

KERINS MAKES IT TWO FOR IRELAND ON DAY 1

Irish rider Darragh Kerins made it a second win for Ireland on Day 1 of the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse in the feature event of the day, the Irish Sports Council Classic.

Following on from Shane Carey's win this morning, Kerins beat off 24 rivals in the jump off, 11 of which were Irish.

First into the ring was Marc Houtzager, and they set the standard of 43.53 until American based Kerins entered the arena on Double H Farms chestnut gelding Night Train.  The pair duly smashed Houtzager's time, 37.93, to lie in provisional first place but with 13 combinations to follow the Sligo born rider had an anxious wait.

American rider Charlie Jayne came closest to Kerins's time with the KWPN mare Athena.  Their time of 38.36 was good enough for them to slip into second place just ahead of French rider Kevin Staut.

Next best of the Irish was Trevor Breen riding Ringwood Constructions Womack who slotted into fifth with a time of 41.57.  Thomas Ryan finished ninth on Urleven Van De Helle.

O'CONNOR SECOND IN SPEED STAKES

Cian O'Connor came close to winning the second International Class on the first day of the Dublin Horse Show to follow Captain Shane Carey's win earlier today.

Riding Dermot O'Rourke's Baloufina, O'Connor was edge out by Roger Yves Bost in the Speed Stakes.  The Kildare natives time of 62.18 was slightly slower than the Frenchmans and O'Connor slotted in second.

Billy Twomey brought Cavinem to finish fourth with Denis Lynch slipping into fifth place.

CAREY GETS IRISH OFF TO FLYING START IN DUBLIN

Captain Shane Carey opened the account for the home team at the CSIO 5* Dublin Horse Show in the opening International Class of the five day show.

Riding the Minister for Defence's River Foyle, Carey took the €1,500 first prize in the Failte Stakes with a blistering round to beat off the challenge of American rider Laura Kraut on Unique.  The Army riders time of 57.84 and clear was good enough to collect the red rosette.

Cian O'Connor kept the Tri Colour flying with third place on Splendor in a time of 59.01 with Tholm Keane taking sixth with Ronan Tynan's Warrenstown You 2. 

The feature event on Day 1 of the Horse Show is the Irish Sports Council Classic which takes place later this afternoon following the Speed Stakes.

Kildare rider Nicola Fitzgibbon took the honours in the Brian Bagnall and Associates sponsored Premier Series at South County Show today (Sunday) and claimed the lions share of €12,00 prize fund on offer. As it was the penultimate leg of this popular series, riders where keen to clock up some valuable points ahead of the final at the National Championships.

Riding her own Puissance, the pair was the quickest of four double clear rounds from a 10 way jump off. Fitzgibbon, who went late in the timed round, proved unbeatable with a double clear in a time of 38.59. Fitzgibbon has clocked up numerous wins on the circuit this year on her other mount Looping Star.

Speaking after the class, the winner commented: ''I am absolutely delighted with the win today as it was the first 1.50m for this horse. I am taking part in the eight –year-old and over section in the RDS so I am hoping to do well there. After that, my focus will be on the National Championships here at Coilog.''

Kilkenny native Eddie Moloney took the runner up spot on board Nicola Flynn’s Highlander when recording a double clear in 39.03. Moloney then stamped his authority in the jump-off by also taking third place on John McDonald’s Chatsworth Dan after delivering another clear in 41.29. Multiple winner on the circuit, Moloney had taken second place in the Ballina Premier series on the 11- year-old Irish Bred Chatsworth Dan last month.

Taking fourth place was Edward Little riding David Prentice’s Kalvinretto when clear in a time of 41.80. This combination demonstrated previous good form last weekend at Tattersalls International show where the pair took second place in the Big Tour Welcome Stakes.

In fifth place was Darragh Kerins riding Orlando, this combination will be in action in the International classes in Dublin Horse Show next week.

1. Nicola Fitzgibbon riding Puissance (Owner Nicola Fitzgibbon) 0/0 38.59

2. Eddie Moloney riding Highlander (Owner Nicola Flynn) 0/0 39.03

3. Eddie Moloney riding Chatsworth Dan (Owner John McDonald) 0/0 41.29

4. Edward Little riding Kalvinretto ( Owner David Prentice) 0/0 41.80

5. Darragh Kerins riding Orlando (Owner Darragh Kerins ) 0/4 38.49

6. Olive Clarke, The Butlers Pantry Spitfield (Owner John Melia) 0/4 39.11