CONNORS GETS OFF TO PERFECT START AT THOMASTOWN

Francis Connors got off to the perfect start in his quest to be crowned TRM National Grand Prix League Champion for a record 12th time when winning the opening leg of the League at Thomastown on Sunday.

Riding Claire McDonnell's Lismore Coasting, Connors recorded one of nine double clears in a hotly contested class sponsored by Thomastown Horse Show and Ballygallon Stud.  Although Peter Smyth recorded a faster time with Victoria Rose, Smyth had a fence on the floor.

Connors has been involved in some memorable battles over the last couple of years, namely with Tholm Keane with Connors finishing second last year having been narrowly touched off by Paul O'Shea in the Final leg. 

Kilkenny's Ger O'Neill took second and third with two very exciting stallions, Paul O'Byrne's Cassidee and Ger O'Brien's Z Wellie 72.  Having been placed on several occasions in the HSI Chippison Spring Tour, O'Neill went on to finish 3rd overall in the league.  With two double clears on Sunday, that was good enough for second and third and he also finished 8th on another promising Stallion Castlefield Maximus who also had a double clear.

Pegus Horse Feeds are again sponsors of the Young Rider Development League and Vincent Byrne was the first recipient of the Pegus Horse Feeds rug for finishing in the top 10.  Riding his mother Eleanor's Codonos, Byrne is making a big move to work for Shane Sweetnam in America in the coming weeks and his double clear on Sunday was good enough for fourth.

Reigning National Champion Eddie Moloney slotted into fifth with his own Dante Van De Nordhuuvel while Peter Smyth finished sixth on The Windmill Master.

TRM National Grand Prix - Thomastown Result
Kindly Sponsored by Thomastown Horse Show & Ballygallon Stud
1st Francis Connors/Lismore Coasting 0/0 37.06
2nd Ger O'Neill/Cassidee 0/0 37.62
3rd Ger O' Neill/Z Wellie 72 0/0 37.94
4th Vincent Byrne/Cordonos 0/0 38.17 (YR)
5th Eddie Moloney/Dante Van De Noordheuvel 0/0 38.31
6th Peter Smyth/The Windmill Master 0/0 39.89

Vincent Byrne is the Pegus Horse Feeds Leading Young Rider

O'CONNOR HAS MORE SUCCESS AT THE HORSEWARE LOUTH COUNTY SHOW

The TRM/ShowjumpingIreland Premier Series got off to an exciting start at the Horseware Louth County Show last weekend (23rd &24th April) with Cian O’Connor claiming yet another win at this opening round. Riding his own Larkhill Cruiser, O’Connor showed his usual determination as he crossed the line with nothing to add in 35.01. The Horseware Louth County show has proved to be a popular hunting ground for O’Connor having claimed many Grand Prix’s at this venue.Speaking after the win, O’ Connor said: “It was a great win day and both horses jumped really super. There was an excellent standard of competitors taking part in this first round,and as a result it was an exciting class. It was a well organised show and the ground jumpedvery well”. 

Also pleased with the event Carol MacGuinness of Horseware said: “Horseware are delighted to be involved with the show. The weather stayed fine for the weekend and the Premier Series Grand Prix proved to be very competitive. Tom (MacGuinness) was disappointed that he could be here today but he promises to be here next year”.

As per previous years, the opening round of the Premier Series once again proved popular with 72 combinations in the qualifying class putting in a bid for a place in the Horseware Irelands sponsored Premier Grand Prix.  With over €150,000 in prize money on offer over the ten legs, it is expected that the large entries will continue over the course of the series.

From the 35 qualified combinations, just ten riders went through to take on Tom Holden’s shortened course, and with a prize fund of €12,000 on offer, riders were keen to put in their best performances.

Fresh from his win in the earlier six/seven year-old studbook class, David O’ Brien was up for the challenge. Riding the ever reliable Mo Chroi, O’Brien left nothing to chance when crossing the line in a time of 35.44 to take the runner-up spot.

Going mid-way in the jump-off, Meath Native Alexander Butler negotiated a series of good turns with Harold Mc Gahern’s 11- year-old Touchdown Will Wimble. A clear round in 36.72 was enough to temporally put them into lead, and then in to eventual third place in the line-up.

Last to go with Ruth Maybin and Aziz Morabit's Trebox Acorada, Cian O’ Connor knew what he needed to do to set a fresh target. However, despite another good round, O’ Connor failed to improve on his early performance, but a clear in 37.66 was enough to slot into fourth place.

Clare rider, David Blake produced an impressive clear with Ronnie Hollinger’s  11-year-oldChellano Z stallion, Camiro De Haar, however despite a gallant attempt to take the lead, Blake had to settle for fifth place when crossing the line in 39.05, while northern Peter Smyth and Hermione IV accounted for sixth place when also clear in 39.25.

HORSEWARE LOUTH COUNTY SHOW
PREMIER SERIES GRAND PRIX
€12,000 KINDLY SPONSORED BY HORSEWARE IRELAND

1 . Cian O'Connor, riding Cian O' Connor's  Larkhill Cruiser 0/0 35.01
2. David O' Brien riding the Minister for Defence's Mo Chroi 0/0 35.44
3 Alexander Butler riding Harold McGahern's Will Wimble 0/0 36.72
4 Cian O' Connor riding Ruth Maybin and Aziz Morabit's Trebox Acorada 0/0 37.66
5 David Blake riding Ronnie Hollinger's Camiro De Haar Z 0/0 39.05
6 Peter Symth riding Mary C Barron's Hermione IV 0/0 39.25

KELLY WINS THE FINAL BUT CLARKE CLAIMS LEAGUE

Captain Michael Kelly did all he could to snatch victory from Gerard Clarke's fingertips by winning the Final leg of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour at Coilog, however Clarke did just enough to win both the League and the Young Rider division.

Holding a lead of 13 points going into the Final leg ahead of Captain Kelly, Clarke needed to finish within the top 6 to ensure he kept hold of the League title.  Kelly on the other hand, had to win to take the title. 

Although only bringing one horse, Lough Foyle, to the final leg, compared to Clarke's four, Kelly did everything he could to ensure of an Army victory by steering the Minister for Defence's Lough Foyle into the lead as the second last to go.  However, it proved little to late for the Longford born rider who moved Clarke down just one place to fifth which still gave him enough points to win the League title.

Thomas O'Brien slotted into second spot with David McDermott's Dunsoghly Junior.  Having won the final leg of the Kingsland Autumn Grand Prix League last November at Kill, O'Brien followed with a placed effort in the opening leg of the Chippison Spring Tour at Kildare International.  He broke the beams on Sunday in 36.24 and clear to give him second place.

Co Clare based David Blake claimed his first points of the League and as a result became the TRI Equestrian Leading Young Rider in the Class with Ronnie Hollinger's Camiro De Haar Z finishing third.

Padriac Judge steered Hello Spider into fifth, while the most important placing of the day went to Gerard Clarke in fifth with Colorado which ensured him the League Title.  Clem McMahon followed on from his win in Saturday's leg with a sixth place finish in the Final with Valentino.

So the HSI Chippison Spring Tour draws to a close for 2011 with a new Champion in Meath's Gerard Clarke.  For his efforts, Clarke also claimed the TRI Equestrian Leading Young Rider Prize for the League.  This season he won on three occasions at Cavan, Kernan's and Barnadown on three successive weekends.

HSI Chippison Spring Tour Final - Coilog Equestrian

€2,500 kindly sponsored by Coilog Equestrian

1st Lough Foyle/Capt Michael Kelly O/O 35.10
2nd Dunsoghly Junior/Thomas O'Brien 0/0 36.24
3rd Camiro De Haar Z/David Blake YR 0/0 36.79
4th Hello Spider/Padraic Judge 0/0 43.58
5th Colorado/Gerard Clarke YR 0/0 44.87
6th Valentino/Clem McMahon 0/4 35.66.

10 to Jump Off

TRI Equestrian Best Young Rider - David Blake.
SJI Best Turned Out Team Harmony Chelto Z / Robert Harrison.

HSI Chippison Spring Tour Winner Gerard Clarke 54.5 pts.
Runner Up Capt Michael Kelly 52 pts.

TRI Equestrian Spring Tour Best Young Rider Gerard Clarke.

HSI Leading Irish Horse - Lough Foyle Bred by Lesley Ann Kelly.

Cashel House Saddlery Sergio Grasso Boots for Leading SJC member Gerard Clarke.

The Chippison Spring Tour was kindly supported by: John & Marie Burke; Horse Sport Ireland; TRI Equestrian; ShowjumpingIreland; Jumpinaction.net; Darragh Equestrian Solutions

MCMAHON TAKES FIRST WIN WITH CRUISINGS MICKY FINN AT WARRINGTON

Clem McMahon took his first big win of 2011 on Saturday at the Moloney family's Warrington Equestrian Centre and his first win on his new mount, Harry Aird's Cruisings Micky Finn.

In the 3,000E class, kindly sponsored by Warrington Equestrian Centre, a massive 21 combinations made it through to the Jump Off round over Pat Drennan's course.

The former Premier Series Champion made light work of the course set to come home almost 2 seconds clear of his nearest rival.  The Monaghan rider has had a good time of late notably at the end of 2010 where he secured Ireland's first title at the World Breeders Championship at Lanaken with NLS Coole Al Clover.  He has recently taken over the ride on the son of Cruising and having been placed at Barnadown two weeks ago, McMahon follows that up with the win on Saturday.

Following the class McMahon commented; ''It went very good, I had four horses in the class and three in the Jump Off.  The jump off was quite tricky, there wasn't a good line from the water tray to oxer and it caused a bit of trouble but there wasn't many double clears to show how difficult it was.''

Reigning National Champion Eddie Moloney, put in a good performance on his home soil with John McDonald's Chatsworth Dan.  Having been successful recently in the Grand Prix at the 3* Show in Vidabaun in France, he follows his good form having led from the start.  Moloney's time of 35.14 appeared that it would be tough to beat until McMahon's quick fire run with Cruisings Micky Finn.

Young Rider Hayley Dunne, who scored her first senior win at Maryville a couple of weeks back has kept her good form solid with another placed effort with T D'Arco.  Her third place finish on Saturday meant that she claimed the TRI Equestrian Leading Rider prize for the second time.

Former National Champion Trevor Breen steered the impressive Cruising Stallion Oldtown KC into fourth place.  The 7 year old has recently moved up to Grand Prix level and looks to be a very exciting performer for the remainder of the season.

Damien Doyle brought Walterstown Cruise out to finish fifth while league leader Gerard Clarke gained some much needed points ahead of the final leg on Sunday. 

HSI Chippison Spring Tour - Warrington Equestrian

€3,000 kindly sponsored by Warrington Equestrian Centre

1st Cruisings Micky Finn/Clem McMahon O/O 33.50
2nd Chatsworth Dan/Eddie Moloney 0/0 35.14
3rd T'Darco/Hayley Dunne (YR) 0/0 36.24
4th Oldtown KC/Trevor Breen 0/0 39.09
5th Walterstown Cruise /Damien Doyle 0/0 39.73
6th Iquem Du Plessis/Gerard Clarke (YR) 0/4 32.73.

21 to Jump Off.

TRI Equestrian Best Young Rider - Hayley Dunne.
SJI Best Turned Out - Oldtown KC/ Trevor Breen.

The Chippison Spring Tour is kindly supported by: John & Marie Burke; Horse Sport Ireland; TRI Equestrian; ShowjumpingIreland; Jumpinaction.net; Darragh Equestrian Solutions.

WILLEM AND PETER SMYTH SHINE AT THE HOME OF CHIPPISON

The 12th leg of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour moved to the home of the title Stallion Chippison at Clare Equestrian Centre where northern raiders Peter Smyth and the 8 Year Old Willem prevailed in the Ennis sunshine.

With 25 combinations through to the jump off, it was sure to be a fast and exciting round and none better than Peter Smyth to be the one at the head of affairs. 

Having been placed already in the Series, Smyth went one better than his previous runner up placing with Mary Barron's gelding and stole the limelight by just over one second.  The Strabane rider was runner up in the Kingsland Autumn Grand Prix League at the end of 2010 having posted some solid results with Willem and Mary Barron's other good performer Hermione Iv. 

Hot on Smyth's tail was 11 time National Grand Prix League Champion Francis Connors with Sean Hayden's Lundy Lad.  The pair have produced some good results from a small number of outings already this year and this will certainly be a combination to keep an eye on during the summer months.  Their double clear in a time of 39.53 saw them take second spot.

Ger O'Neill has enjoyed some very good results all through the Chippison Spring Tour and with Z Wellie 72 on Sunday he produced another fine effort.  Gerard O'Brien's exciting stallion has been one that has caught several eyes with his excellent jumping technique and he showed that he holds a lot of pace by stopping the clock at 39.83 just short of Connors' time.

The Young Rider's again entered the fray with Michael Duffy moving into fourth place with his mother, Kathryn's Killard Horizon.  While Liam O'Meara and Cisero slotted into fifth with another Young Rider, Shane O'Reilly in sixth with JB Master Glen Bar.

The Final two legs of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour will take place next weekend at Warrington on Saturday with the final leg on Sunday in Coilog.

HSI Chippison Spring Tour - Clare Equestrian
€2,500 kindly sponsored by Clare Equestrian Centre

1st Willem/Peter Smyth   O/O 38.26
2nd Lundy Lad/Francis Connors 0/0 39.53
3rd Z Wellie 72/Ger O'Neill 0/0 39.83
4th (Killard Horizon/ Michael Duffy YR 0/0 42.10
5th Cisero /Liam O'Meara 0/0 43:54
6th JB Master Glen Bar/Shane O'Reilly YR 0/0 43.59.

25 to Jump Off.

TRI Equestrian Best Young Rider Michael Duffy.
SJI Best Turned Out Oldtown  KC/ Trevor Breen

The Chippison Spring Tour is kindly supported by: John & Marie Burke; Horse Sport Ireland; TRI Equestrian; ShowjumpingIreland; Jumpinaction.net; Darragh Equestrian Solutions

GORDON CRUISES TO MULLINGAR SUCCESS

Young Rider Jonathan Gordon claimed his first Senior win when taking the 11th leg of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Saturday in the self sponsored €2,500 class riding Leo Carey's impressive Cruising gelding Mt Cruise.

The winners of the Pegus Horse Feeds Young Rider Final last summer at the National Young Rider Championships, Gordon cruised to his first win in a tightly fought 12 way jump off and was one of just 4 double clear rounds over Tom Holden's track.  This pair broke the beams in a time of 37.82 which could not be matched.

Closest to Gordon came another Young Rider, Robert Harrison.  The Longford was the winner of the Mullingar leg of the Tour in 2010 and came close to pulling off a good double with Team Harmony Chelto Z, who was the Best Turned Out on the day.  Harrison set the early pace with a time of 38.73, however Gordon's time was marginally quicker to knock Harrison off the top spot.

Captain Michael Kelly gave himself a better chance of catching the overall leader Gerard Clarke with a third place finish on the Minister for Defence's Lough Foyle to bring the gap to 11 points.  Already a winner on two occasions on the Tour, Kelly will need some good results again in next weekend's Final two legs, Saturday's result give Kelly a realistic chance.

Jack Doyle posted his first top 6 finish of this year's Chippison Tour with Gerard Campbell's Catch Me If You Can and they slotted into fourth as the last of the double clear rounds.  Mayo's Alex Duffy posted the fastest four faults in the jump off with Tiernan Gill's Flogas Ucorado B while Trevor Breen steered Peter Boardman's Andino Z into sixth place.

HSI Chippison Spring Tour 11th leg at Mullingar Equestrian Centre
€2,500 kindly sponsored by Mullingar Equestrian Centre

1st Mt Cruise/Jonathan Gordon YR O/O 37.82
2nd Team Harmony Chelto Z/Robert Harrison YR 0/0 38.73
3rd Lough Foyle/ Capt Michael Kelly 0/0 40.73
4th Catch Me If You Can/Jack Doyle  0/0 43.48
5th Flogas Ucorado/Alex Duffy 0/4 39.78
6th Andino Z/ Trevor Breen 0/4 41.58
12 in Jump Off.

TRI Equestrian Best Young Rider - Jonathan Gordon.

SJI Best Turned Out Team Harmony Chelto Z/ Kealy McGann

The Chippison Spring Tour is kindly supported by: John & Marie Burke; Horse Sport Ireland; TRI Equestrian; ShowjumpingIreland; Jumpinaction.net; Darragh Equestrian Solutions

CLARKE TAKES A HAT TRICK WITH WIN IN BARNADOWN

Meath based Yung Rider Gerard Clarke brought off a well deserved Hat Trick of wins in the HSI Chippison Spring Tour at Barnadown on Sunday winning with his own Kellswater Crimson.

In a very exciting 17 horse jump off, Clarke had the advantage of being last to go.  The turn back to the double, fence 3 in the shortened course, proved to be the most decisive with several combinations going around the vertical which was fence two on the course. 

Having won for the previous two weeks at Kernans and at Cavan last Sunday, Clarke extended his lead at the top of the table to 48 points to give him a 17 point lead with just 4 legs remaining.  For his troubles, Clarke also picked up the Leading Young Rider prize for the third week running.  Clarke's time of 38.32 was good enough to knock Ger O'Neill off the top spot and he claimed the bulk of the €2,500 on offer from Carlow Foods Ltd.

Ger O'Neill steered Paul O'Byrne's stallion Cassidee into second to jump him ahead of John Floody on the leaderboard.  Having taken fourth earlier in the Tour with Cassidee at Kildare International, O'Neill has also claimed placed efforts with It's Gold and Ger O'Brien exciting stallion Z Wellie 72. 

Clem McMahon slotted into the next two places with Aaron McCusker's Wilywonty taking third while, a new mount for McMahon, Cruisings Micky Finn took fourth. 

Eleven times National Grand Prix Champion Francis Connors took fifth with Alice Kehoe Crusing mare, Westwinds Cirracruise.  While Feaha Moore put her first points on the board with her own HTS Coille Mor Chin in sixth.

HSI Chippison Spring Tour - Barnadown

Kindly Sponsored by Carlow Foods Ltd

1st Kellswater Crimson/Gerard Clarke (YR) 0/0 38.32
2nd Cassidee/Ger O'Neill 0/0 38.70
3rd Wilywonty/Clem McMahon 0/0 38.75
4th Cruisings Micky Finn/Clem McMahon 0/0 38.99
5th Westwinds Cirracruise/Francis Connors 0/0 40.72
6th HTS Coille Mor Chin/Feaha Moore 0/0 43.69.

16 to Jump Off.

TRI Equestrian Best Young Rider Gerard Clarke.
SJI Best Turned Out James Chawke &Balouvet

The Chippison Spring Tour is kindly supported by: John&Marie Burke; Horse Sport Ireland; TRI Equestrian; ShowjumpingIreland; Jumpinaction.net; Darragh Equestrian Solutions.