FRANCIS CONNORS UP’S THE ANTE WITH WIN AT CHARLEVILLE

Francis Connors (left) pictured here at the 2009 Newcastle Horse Show where he claimed his 11th National title

If reigning champion Francis Connors goes on to win his twelfth National Grand Prix title later this year, he may well look back on this weekend (June 26th & 27th) as the turning point of the season.

After picking up valuable points when finishing third in Saturday’s round at West Clare, the Waterford native moved up a gear at Charleville Show in Co Cork by filling the top two places on the podium. Seven of the twenty one starters managed to jump fault free in the first round with Thurles born Greg Broderick, league leader Paul O Shea and Francis Connors, all managing to be double handed in the clock round. Having finished runner up the day before at West Clare, Broderick seems to have run into good form but one fence down with both ‘Mrs Quinn’ and ‘Ballypatrick Flight’ cost the Tipp rider his shot at glory but he still picked up a good share of the 7,000 euro on offer from sponsors Charleville Show, when finishing in fifth and sixth places.

Limerick’s Paul O Shea who is set to leave Ireland at the end of 2010 for a new challenge riding in the United States, looks like being in with a real chance of winning the National League before he departs and added to his points total with a fourth place finish aboard Castlefield Eclipse and also filled 7th spot with Day Dream St Ghyvan Z.

The only lady rider to make it into the jump off was Anne Marie Fitzpatrick and she was fault free again against the clock with ‘Finders Keepers’ to finish an excellent third place at the finish.

However the day belonged to the Waterford rider who has almost taken sole ownership of the National Grand Prix title, his winning  double clear round with ‘Westwinds Cirracruise’ in 38.60 seconds was comfortably ahead of the nearest challenger who ironically was Connors himself with ‘Lundy Lad’.

It could hardly have been a more punishing weekend for Tholm Keane however, having held the lead on the league table before heading away on International duty, Keane now finds himself slipping to third place after his two nearest challengers O’Shea and Connors both won a round each this weekend. 
 
FULL RESULT 
1. Francis Connors, Westwinds Cirracruise ; C/C 38.60
2. Francis Connors, Lundy Lad ; C/C 40.21
3. Anne Marie Fitzpatrick, Finders Keepers 2 ; C/C 44.05
4. Paul O Shea, Castlefield Eclipise ; C/C 52.62
5. Greg Broderick, Mrs Quinn ; C/4 39.69
6. Greg Broderick, Ballypatrick Flight ; C/4 45.26
7. Paul O Shea, Day Dream St Ghyvan Z ; C/4 56.59
8. Mark O Sullivan, Amigo ; 4/  83.00
9. Francis Connors, Lismore Coasting ; 4/  83.10
10. Seamus Hayes, Twister ; 4/  85.53
 
21 Starters
 
7 Through to Jump-Off
 
League standings following today's Round
1. Paul O Shea 43 points
2. Francis Connors 41 points
3. Tholm Keane 33 points
 
   
2010 National Grand Prix League sponsors TRM and its associated distribution company TRI Equestrian have 55 employees in their state of the art manufacturing and logistics facility in Newbridge, as well Ireland’s largest retail store based at the Curragh. For more info visit  www.trm-ireland.com

PAUL O SHEA LANDS WEST CLARE GRAND PRIX

West Clare Grand Prix winners Paul O Shea & Day Dream St Ghyvan pictured with from Left to right, Rita Fitzgerald (Paul's Grandmother) Kathleen O'Shea (Paul's Mother) Joan Keane Chairperson of Munster region of ShowjumpingIreland. James O Shea (Paul's Father ) Emma Hayes (Groom) & Fr John O'Shea (Paul's uncle)

Paul O Shea took full advantage of League leader Tholm Keane’s absence, by winning round ten of the TRM Mational Grand Prix League at West Clare show today (Saturday June 26th), and in the process jumped to the top of the league table.

A very generous 7,000 euro was on offer from sponsors ‘Killrush Credit Union’ and of the 26 starters, 13 made it through to the jump – off.  Edward Doyle was triple handed in the clock round and grabbed a large share of the prize money when finishing with three mounts in the top 10 with Catherine Doyle’s ‘Flexing’ best of the trio in fourth place at the finish. Reigning champion Francis Connors is ominously climbing the league table and again picked up points today with a third place finish with ‘Westwinds Cirracruise’.

Tipperary’s Greg Broderick is juggling his show jumping career with his duties as a race- horse trainer and showed he is multitalented by claiming runner up spot at West Clare with the Laughton’s Flight sired ‘Mrs Quinn’
But using his position as last to go in the jump-off to full advantage, Limerick’s Paul O Shea had almost a second to spare over his nearest challenger when taking victory with Paul Clarke & Michael Walsh’s ‘Day Dream St Ghyvan’.

The TRM National Grand Prix league stay’s in the Munster province tomorrow Sunday where Charleville Co Cork hosts round eleven with 25 combinations set to do battle.
 
1. Paul O Shea, Day Dream St Ghyvan ; C/C 36.86
2. Greg Broderick, Mrs Quinn ; C/C 38.79
3. Francis Connors, Westwinds Cirracruise ; C/C 39.96
4. Edward Doyle, Flexing ; C/C 41.70
=5. Anne Marie Fitzpatrick, Finders Keepers 2 ; C/C 42.75
=5. Sinead Kennedy, KEC Alicante ; C/C 42.75
7. Edward Doyle, Taloubet ; C/C 43.08
8. Padraig Judge, Hello Spider ; C/C 44.96
9. Gemma Phelan, Kilcannon Brigade ; C/C 46.11
10. Edward Doyle, Samgemjee ; C/4 40.81
 
26 Starters
 
13 Through to Jump-Off
 
League standings following today's Round
1. Paul O Shea 37 points
2. Tholm Keane 33 points
3. Francis Connors 31 points
 
   
2010 National Grand Prix League sponsors TRM and its associated distribution company TRI Equestrian have 55 employees in their state of the art manufacturing and logistics facility in Newbridge, as well Ireland’s largest retail store based at the Curragh. For more info visit  www.trm-ireland.com

Pony Premier Galway

After a gap of two years the Pony Premier returned to Galway County Show which basked in glorious sunshine. An undulating part of the field was used as the arena which gave Brendan Duffy plenty of scope when building the courses.

The 128’s were first on and from an entry of 28 there were 10 clear rounds through to the second round, from this 6 went into the jump off.  Susan Fitzpatrick was first to go on Lisard Bualdh Bos this pair going clear in a time of 40.00, the next two combinations Kate Derwin on ‘Toorboy Tommy’ and Kieran Barry on ‘The Nutcracker’ both dropped a pole in 59.40 and 37.01. Then followed Susan Fitzpatrick on her other mount ‘Mickybo’, this combination going clear in a time of 39.26 beating herself and setting the pace for Luke Garrigan on ‘My Little Sweetheart’ and Cormac Foley on ‘Little Jack Spratt’, the former unfortunately being eliminated and Cormac going clear in 40.60 to take third spot.

There were 34 starters in the 138 division from which 11 jumped into the second round with 8 of these going into the third round.  Paraic Kenny on ‘Woodfield Rain’  emerged the winner in this class jumping clear in a time of 41.73 with Grace Allen on ‘Scarletts Billy The Kid’  a very close second jumping clear in 41.94, third place went to Kerry Taggart on ‘Sakama Chezni’ also clear in 47.38 with Lucy Allen and ‘Lough Gill’ taking fourth spot having picked up 4 faults in 50.84.

The 148 class was slightly reduced in numbers as Bertram Allen and Shane Kenny  had taken the opportunity to compete at Bishop Burton in England, where the Pony Europeans are being staged. Shane won the big class on Saturday riding his team pony ‘More Clover’ with Bertram taking second on his team pony ‘Acapella Z  ’and on Sunday Bertram won the big class with ‘ Acapella Z’.

Also travelling were Emma O’Dwyer with her two ponies Jacknall Street and Kalim De Montlieu and Jeremy Sweetnam with Allihies Fir Baoi and Next Riot, this pair were competing in Hagen in Germany where Emma won a class on Jacknell Street and was 8th in the Grand Prix on her other pony.

The other team members were in Galway, where Kate Macdonagh riding  ‘Bertas Clover’ won the Premier with Michael Duffy and ‘Sligo Saddlery Cottage Flight’ taking second place with Tom Foley  being sidelined this week due to a bad fall the previous weekend.

Michael also took third place on ‘Sillogue Darkie’ with Jessica Lee riding ‘The Ballylee Joule’ taking fourth having picked up 4 faults in the jump off as did other local girl Lauren Delahunty and ‘Bertie Brown’ who took fifth place.

The Starfinder class had 41 starters from which there were 11 clear rounds.  Once again the top spots were divided between Michael Duffy and Kate Macdonagh with Michael  taking first place on Matt Dillon’s ‘Aroma’, jumping clear in 36.53 just ahead of Kate on ‘Killtura Lad’ also clear in 38.41. Third place went to Colm O’Hagan on ‘Manninard Seabird’ clear in 41.93 with fourth going to Matt Garrigan on ‘Dr Spot’ clear in 42.54.

The next Pony Premier will be on Friday 16th July at Maryville, Co Cork where the European Team members will be jumping prior to leaving for the Championships.

CLARKE TAKES GALWAY COUNTY GRAND PRIX

Olive Clarke added to her already very consistent season by taking her first major win with her new mount Cruisings Mickey Finn at Galway County in the ninth leg of the TRM National Grand Prix League.

The pair who have been highly placed throughout the season in the Chippison Spring Tour, Premier Series and National Grand Prix League and now moves Clarke  into second place on leaderboard at the halfway stage. 

One of 10 clear from the first round, Clarke had the pleasure of a late draw on the Cruising Stallion and they produced a thrilling round to ensure them of victory in the €3,000 Supermacs sponsored event.  With just five double clears, Clarke stopped the clock in 36.85 to ensure the victory well over a second clear of Clem McMahon and Sean Mulkern's Minne Clover.

McMahon was a winner of an International class in Mullingar on this son of Clover Brigade.  Their time of 38.44 was good enough to slot them into second.

Recent Ballinamona Grand Prix winners, Lucy Buchanan and Cavalier Andy took third.  Always a consistent combination, they broke the beam in a time of 44.44 to take third just ahead of another recent winner, Padraic Judge.  Again placing with Hello Spider, Judge took a steady clear round of 47.88 to take fourthand that moves Hello Spider to the top of the Horse's Leader Board for the TRM National Grand Prix League.

Young Rider Cian Melia took fifth place and received a rug from Pegus Horse Feeds for his efforts.  This puts him one step closer to the Pegus Horse Feeds Development League final at the Young Rider National Championships which now boasts a Prize Fund of €8,000.  Another Young Rider, Jessica Burke took sixth with Vitesse and adds to her impressive tally of results so far this season.

Next weekend sees a double header in the TRM National Grand Prix League with West Clare and Charleville.

TRM National Grand Prix League
Galway County Sponsored by Supermacs
1 Cruisings Mickey Finn O. Clarke 0/0 36.85
2. Mini Clover, C. McMahon, 0/0 38.44
3. Cavalier Andy, L. Buchanan, 0/0 44.44
4.Hello Spider, P. Judge, 0/0 47.88
5. Little Miss Bungowla, C. Melia, 0/0 49.83
6. Vitesse, Jessica Burke, 0/4 40.94
7. Steinberg, R. Kerins, 0/4 43.04
8. Cool Diamond Ruby, R. Creaven, 0/4 43.83

10 clear 1st round

KURTEN SCOOPS CANNES JUMP OFF OPENER

JESSICA Kurten threw down the gauntlet on the opening night (Thursday) of the five-star Global Champions' Tour at Cannes in France with a decisive win in the evening's big jump-off feature class.

Riding her signature mare 'Castle Forbes Libertina', the Antrim-born 40 year-old was one of 15 through to the jump-off, but easily saw off French runner-up Philippe Rozier and Germany's third-placed Daniel Deusser with a scorching time, to collect 8,000 euro in prize money.

Afterwards Kurten said: “Today Libertina was particularly wonderful, it was an honour and a pleasure to be her partner.”

Kurten is joined at the French Global Champions' Tour venue by fellow Irish riders Denis Lynch and Billy Twomey, and all three are expected to challenge some of the world's top riders and horses in a bid for points and a share of the massive 285,000 euro prize fund available in Saturday night's Grand Prix.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI5* CANNES FRANCE JUNE 10-13 2010

CSI 5* - PRIX GENERALI
Table A against the clock - with one Jump Off
FEI Art. 238.2.2, 1m50
Thursday, June 10, 2010

1) Castle Forbes Libertina; Jessica Kurten (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 36.15
2) Randgraaf; Philippe Rozier (FRA) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 37.90
3) Cabreado S.E.; Daniel Deusser (GER) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 38.60

45 starters

O'CONNOR SECOND IN SWISS GRAND PRIX WHILE TWOMEY TAKES LEADING RIDER PRIZE

IRELAND'S Cian O'Connor, riding Dr. Michael Smurfit's mare 'K Club Lady' finished second in the Swiss Grand Prix at St.Gallen this afternoon (Sunday), jumping one of only two double clears in the 47 strong field.

Cork's Billy Twomey with 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' finished fourth with two time faults.

With twelve through to the second phase of the competition, O'Connor was first to go of the clear rounds and opted for a careful approach, finishing with zero faults on the board, but was eventually out-paced on time by last man in, Germany's Carsten-Otto Nagel on 'Corradina', who took the 54,000 euro first prize.

Afterwards O' Connor said: "After a less than perfect first round in the Nations' Cup on Friday it was great to be able to show that the mare can produce a double clear at this level, which is really new to her. She's as careful as a kitten, but has the heart of a lion, and in my opinion is one of the best vertical jumpers around. I am delighted with her performance today.

Meanwhile, following a successful show Billy Twomey received the Leading Rider Award this evening (Sunday) at the prestigious five-star show in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

With some of the world's top riders in contention for the award, the 33 year-old Corkman produced an almost relentless string of top five results over the three days of the show, finishing with a fourth place in the Longines Grand Prix today (Sunday).

Twomey also contributed a vital clear round to Ireland's team effort in the St. Gallen Meydan Nations' Cup, helping them to finish fourth of ten teams.

He received a cheque for 11,000 euro tonight to go with his Leading Rider Trophy.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO5* ST. GALLEN SWITZERLAND JUNE 3-6 2010

Grand Prix Longines
International Jumping Competition
Table A in two Rounds (Art. 273.3.3)
1m60
Sunday, June 6, 2010

1) Corradina; Carsten-Otto NAGEL (USA) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 50.98
2) K Club Lady; Cian O'CONNOR (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 53.73
3) Opium VS; Marc HOUTZAGER (NED) Faults 1.00/1.00 Time 61.06
4) Je T'Aime Flamenco; Billy TWOMEY (IRL) Faults 1.00/1.00 Time 63.77

47 starters

IRELAND FINISH FOURTH IN SWISS NATIONS' CUP

Billy Twomey and Je T'Aime Flameco (left) provided Ireland with their sole clear round at St Gallen this afternoon.

THE IRISH show jumping team staged a notable second-round comeback today (Friday) to climb from their half-time sixth place to finish fourth in the Swiss Nations' Cup at St. Gallen.

The points gained by today's result also saw Ireland jump two places in the Meydan Nations' Cup leaderboard, putting them in fourth position amongst the world's ten best show jumping teams.

On a course made doubly difficult due to the effects of violent rainstorms yesterday, clear rounds from any of the competing teams were not frequent, but Billy Twomey delivered one near the end of the competition with 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' to help Ireland climb past the Swiss and the Dutch.

Darragh Kenny and 'Obelix' had five faults in the first round, while Shane Breen with 'Carmena Z' also produced five in each round. Both Billy Twomey and Cian O'Connor and 'K Club Lady' racked up nine faults in the first round, but both improved second time out, O'Connor touching just one pole in his final round.

Team Ireland Equestrian's show jumping manager Robert Splaine said from St. Gallen this afternoon: "It was an absolutely top class performance today by the team on a tough course, and in very testing conditions. Billy Twomey gave us a spectacular clear round at a crucial time to leapfrog over the Swiss.

"Cian O'Connor made a great comeback in the second round with his mare, while Shane Breen delivered a solid performance in both rounds. Darragh Kenny also gave us a score that counted in the first round.

"It's worth noting that the Swiss fielded their championship team this afternoon, but we finished ahead of them. It was a very, very solid performance by the Irish team today."

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO5* ST. GALLEN SWITZERLAND JUNE 3-6 2010

NATIONS CUP OF SWITZERLAND
Table A in two Rounds (Art. 264)
1m60
Friday June 4, 2010

1) FRANCE 8
2) GERMANY 13
3) GT. BRITAIN 19
4) IRELAND 28
Shane Breen (Tipperary); Carmena Z 5/5
Darragh Kenny (Offaly); Obelix 5/16
Cian O’Connor (Meath); K Club Lady 9/4
Billy Twomey (Cork); Je t'Aime Flamenco 9/0
5) SWITZERLAND 30
6) SPAIN 32
7) USA 39
8) NETHERLANDS 42
9) SWEDEN 33 (First round only)
10) POLAND 44 (First round only)

The 2010 Meydan Superleague series, which features the world's ten best teams competing at the world's top eight show jumping venues, concludes at the Dublin Horse Show in August. Ireland is currently fourth in the league table after finishing fourth today in St. Gallen.

IRISH PONY RIDERS RACK UP SECOND NATIONS' CUP WIN IN SIX WEEKS

IRELAND'S pony team were victorious in the Nations' Cup at Wierden in the Netherlands this afternoon (Thursday), adding a second gold medal to their April triumph in the French Nations' Cup at Fontainebleau.

Ireland was leading with a zero score at half-time in the eight-nation Wierden contest, and added just four faults in the second round to come home well clear of runners-up Belgium, who finished on 13 faults in total.

Two of the Fontainebleau team, Shane Kenny from Co. Wexford and Co. Clare's Tom Foley, contributed clear rounds to today's score, while Kate McDonagh from Galway added another. Enniscorthy's Bertram Allen, however, anchored the Irish team's score with a superb double clear round on 'Acapella Z'.

Horse Sport Ireland's High Performance Coach Ian Fearon said from Wierden after today's win: "I am very happy with the home trials, for they gave me the team to come here, and from which we have won our second Nations' Cup this year. From here we go home and prepare for the European Championships. This was an outstanding performance from my ponies and riders as this was the European trials for the Dutch team, so the tracks were very challenging."

PONY SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIOP WIERDEN NETHERLANDS JUNE 3-6 2010

NETHERLANDS NATIONS' CUP
Two Rounds (Art 264)
Thursday June 3, 2010

1) IRELAND 4 faults
Bertram Allen; Acapella Z 0/0
Kate Macdonagh; Imagine If One (ISH) 0/4
Shane Kenny; More Clover (ISH) 8/0
Tom Foley; Dibidoe 0/-
2) BELGIUM 13 faults
3) NETHERLANDS 16 faults

Eight nations competed.

JUDGE TAKES BALLIVOR GRAND PRIX WEST

Padraic Judge receives his rosette from Fergus Dixon of Dixon Sand and Gravel who were sponsors of the Ballivor Grand Prix

There may have been showery weather in Ballivor in county Meath today (Sunday), but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the large crowd of spectators that watched the eighth round of the TRM National Grand Prix ShowJumping league.

Making the long journey from the west, Mayo Native Padraic Judge aboard Hello Spider left all in his wake as he delivered the only double clear round in a seven- way jump- off, in 48.65 to take the honours in the Dixon Sand and Gravel €6,000 sponsored Grand Prix. This was the second Grand Prix placing of the year for the combination, having been one of only two combinations that delivered a double clear round in the leg at Cavan earlier in the season to take the runner-up spot on that occasion.

Speaking after the class, the winner said: “I am thrilled with the horse as the course was difficult and big enough in the jump-off.  It is a fantastic show, one of the great traditional shows and it is one that I always wanted to win. Some great riders have won here in the past as it was always considered as one of the most competitive. Hello Spider is proving very consistent and I hope to aim him at the remaining Premier Series and perhaps a foreign show later in the year”.

Going early in the timed round, Kildare rider Edward Doyle set the fastest time (40.10) on his home bred Samgejee, however with one pole on the floor, he had to settle for second place in the final line-up.  Out of his former International show jumping mare Flex, this eight- year-old stallion, has proved very consistent in both the aged classes and on the National Grand Prix Circuit.

Riding her own, nine-year-old gelding H Two, Linda Courtney looked set for the challenge, however suffering a similar fate to those that went before her, she crossed the line with four faults in 40.74 for eventual third.

Following her second placing in the 1.40 metre international speed class in Mullingar show last weekend, Annemarie Fitzpatrick was keen to continue this good show of form. Recording four faults, with her husband Harry’s Finders Keepers in 42.20, the pairing slotted into fourth.

Local rider Alexander Butler and Carton Free accounted for fifth place, while Stephen Smith and Laraghlease Western Desert took sixth.

BALLIVOR NATIONAL GRAND PRIX SPONSORED BY DIXON SAND & GRAVEL
1. Padraic Judge riding Nuala and Padraic Judge’s Hello Spider 0/0 48.65
2. Edward Doyle riding Catherine Doyle’s Samgejee 0/4 40.10
3. Linda Courtney riding her own,  H Two, 0/4 40.74
4. Annemarie Fitzpatrick riding Harry Fitzpatrick’s Finders Keepers, 0/4 42.20
5. Alexander Butler riding Raymond Donohoe’s Carton Free 0/4 43.43
6. Stephen Smith riding Robert Hancock’s Laraghlease Western Desert  0/ 45.99

BUCHANAN TAKES FIRST NATIONAL GRAND PRIX WIN OF 2010

 Vahe Bogassin of Ballinamona and Marita Connors representing TRM present Ballinamona Grand Prix winner Lucy Buchanan with her winners rosette. (Sonya Dempsey)

In one of the most unusual Grand Prix’s on the National circuit in recent years, Northern Ireland’s Lucy Buchanan made the long trip south to Balinamona, Co Waterford a profitable one when winning the seventh round of the TRM National Grand Prix League with her own and Irish Bearings Ltd 'Cavalier Andy'.

Alan Wade’s first round course looked at first glance to be nothing out of the ordinary and after first into the ring, young rider Mili McIntyre posted a clear round with Vrenske Drum Vh Juxschot, it appeared that a healthy jump –off was on the cards. However to do so would be to underestimate the undoubted talent of the Kilkenny born youngster, who made light work of the testing course. What followed afterwards was an extraordinary  competition with just two more clears from the 32 remaining competitors.

Without doubt the most unlucky round of the day came from local rider Mark O Sullivan who left all fences intact with ‘’Amigo’’ but agonizingly picked up a single time fault to leave the pair in fourth place at the finish. League leader Tholm Keane was another who failed to make the jump off but by posting the fastest four- faults of the day with Redmills Krafty Jack, picked up some valuable league points when finishing fifth just ahead of Clem Mc Mahon and Minnie Clover.

Reining National Grand Prix League champion Francis Connors left it to his last mount of the day, Westwinds Cirracruise to get to grips with the track and was perfectly placed in the clock round to grab another win on home soil.

First to go in the second round, Mili McIntyre knocked two rails in a time of 48.34 and when Lucy Buchanon also picked up eight faults with Cavalier Andy, you would have bet your house, car and shirt off your back on Francis Connors taking the winner Rosette but unbelievably he went on to knock the first two fences of the jump off and eventually conceded defeat when another rail fell before the finish.

A consistant performer throughout his career, Cavalier Andy has been a prolific winner for Buchanan for many years and scored numerous wins as a youngster in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series. Bred in Co Antrim by Linda Courtney, the eleven year old gelding by Cavalier Royale looks set to continue to impress in the years ahead.
Tholm Keane still heads the league table on 32 points with Limerick’s Paul O Shea just 6 points behind in second, while Francis Connors moves up to third on 24 points.
 
 FULL RESULT
 
    Rider                             Horse                                Faults                         Time
 
1. Lucy Buchanan,        Cavalier Andy;                         C/8,                         45.38
2. Mili McIntyre,            Vrenske Drum Vh Juxschot;     C/8,                         48.34
3. Francis Connors,       Westwinds Cirracruise;            C/R,
4. Mark O Sullivan,       Amigo;                                     1/  (first round only) 90.21
5. Tholm Keane,           Redmills Krafty Jack;               4/ ,                           84.19
6. Clem Mc Mahon,       Minnie Clover,                         4/ ,                           80.94
7. Tholm Keane,           Warrenstown Well Aware,          4/                            84.19
8. Sean Walsh,             Kimberlite,                               4/ ,                           85.03
9. Paul O Shea,            Primo Level,                            4/                             86.72
10. Paul O Shea,          Day Dream St Ghyvan,             8/                             80.11
 
32 Starters
 
3 Through to Jump-Off
  
                                                                     
2010 National Grand Prix League sponsors TRM and its associated distribution company TRI Equestrian have 55 employees in their state of the art manufacturing and logistics facility in Newbridge, as well Ireland’s largest retail store based at the Curragh. For more info visit  www.trm-ireland.com

TULLOCH WINS MULLINGAR INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX

English riders certainly proved to be a strong force at Mullingar International  2* event this weekend.  Finishing off on a good note for the British side, Vikki Tulloch took the honours in the €20,000 sponsored supporters Club Grand Prix today (Monday). 

Riding her own Soliegette, twenty-six-year-old Vicky Tulloch was best of an eight way jump-off. Starting off at a blistering pace, the rider did not let up and her daring gallop to the last paid off as she clocked the winning time of 39.24 to clinch victory.  This is the second win for Tulloch, having claimed the Vodafone Balmoral Grand Prix last month.

Speaking after the class, the winner said: “It was a fantastic show and the riders and organisers were very nice and helpful. I produced this horse myself so I am delighted at the way she went. Hopefully I will come back to Ireland next, maybe with some new horses too. I saw Paul go and I knew I just had to go for it, but I knew that I could trust the mare”

Continuing his good show of form, Limerick native Paul O’ Shea, took second place with Paul Clarke’s and Martin Walsh’s Cascaletto St Ghyvan Z. Second last to go, the combination crossed the line fractions behind in 40.36. Overall it was a good weekend for O’ Shea, as he picked up leading Irish rider of the show.

Former World Champion, Dermott Lennon riding Lisa Rosbotham’s Valent, looked up for the challenge. The combination’s experience showed as he skilfully took all the tight lines to clock 40.72 for eventual third place.

Northern rider Edward Little riding David’ Prentice’s Kalvinretto slotted into fourth when delivering a clear in 43.61.

In fifth place was Eddie Moloney, riding his own Slievenora, clear in 45.38, while current National Champions Nicola Fitzgibbon and Puissance accounted for sixth place, picking up 4 faults in 39.60.

ShowjumpingIreland Premier Series Grand Prix
Part of CSI 2* GP in Mullingar -
1 Vicky Tulloch/Soilegette (GB) 0/0 32.94
2 Paul O'Shea/Cascaletto St Ghyvan Z 0/0 40.36
3 Dermott Lennon/Valent 0/0 40.72
4 Edward Little/Kalvinretto 0/0 43.61
5 Eddie Moloney/Slieveanorra 0/0 45.38
6 Nicola FitzGibbon/Puissance 0/4 39.60