CONNORS WINS 11th TITLE AS KEANE TAKES THE FINAL LEG

Tholm Keane on Warrenstown You 2 on their way to winning Sunday's Bloxham Stockbrokers Grand Prix in Newcastle.

It was a  thrilling finish to the SJI  National Grand Prix at Newcastle show today (Sunday), as Francis Connors and Tholm Keane battled it out, to decide who would claim the 2009 National Grand Prix title. The two Waterford riders are familiar rivals at this level, having been at loggerheads since 2007. Last year just a single point separated both riders at the final and spectators once again were not disappointed, as they watch both riders put in their best efforts to clinch the title.

Following two intensive rounds, it was Francis Connors that claimed his eleventh title. Waterford native, Connors had an eleven point lead going into the final leg, were points and a half were up for grabs. A seventh place with Lundy Lad in the €10,000 in the Bloxham Stockbrokers and Fund managers sponsored grand prix aboard Sean Hayden’s Lundy Lad, was enough for Connors to regain his title and the €6000 purse as winner of National Grand Prix Champion.

A delighted Connors (Pictured right) said: 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.

Tholm Keane put in a gallant effort, and his efforts paid off as he landed the honours in the final leg on Ronan Tynan’s on Warrenstown You 2, when coming home clear in 39.75. The win today, left Keane on a total of 88 points, but Connor’s placing put him just a half a point ahead.  Keane may have had to settle for the runner-up position but he did not go home empty handed and collected €3000 for his efforts plus the lion’s share of the €10,000 for the final leg. Ronan Tynan’s stallion, Warrenstown You 2 was also crown the leading horse of the League

Speaking afterwards, Keane (Left) 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”.

Taking the runner-up spot was Kells Native, Alexander Butler aboard John Higgins’s Keeford Top Cat. Butler used his late draw to the best advantage to take the tighter lines and clock 40.26.

Former World Champion, Dermot Lennon and slotted into third with J.W Rosbotham’s Hallmark Elite with another double clear round in 42.60.

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CONNORS AND KEANE SET FOR BATTLE AGAIN IN FINAL LEG AT NEWCASTLE

The final of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League takes place this Sunday at the Newcastle Horse Show where Francis Connors and Tholm Keane are set to do battle for the third year running for the title of National Grand Prix Champion.

The two Waterford riders have been at loggerheads since 2007 where they first went all the way to the final leg of the league.  Last year just a single point separated both riders at the finish of yet another fascinating Grand Prix League.

Although Francis Connors looks set to collect his 11th National Grand Prix Championship, Tholm Keane still remains with a chance of collecting the title.  However he must finish first or second; ‘’I am hoping for a good final and I hope we both get into the jump off for a great Grand Prix.

With his most recent win coming in the most recent leg in Iverk, 10 times Champion Francis Connors goes into Sunday’s Grand Prix full of confidence.  Looking forward to Sunday, Connors commented; ‘’It could easily go the other way if Tholm wins or comes second and I have a bad day.  It’s been close for the last three years so I couldn’t begrudge him if he (Tholm) does it.  It could fall either way on the day.’’

So the curtain comes down on Sunday on the Outdoor league with a fascinating two day in Newcastle where they boast a total prize fund in excess of €27,000.  Sunday’s €10,000 Bloxham sponsored Grand Prix is sure to be hotly contested with six of the top seven in the league taking part in what is sure to be one of the best Grand Prix of the season.

As Francis Connors embarks on what is likely to be yet another League success, Tholm Keane will not be going without a chance.  His four wins in the last five Grand Prix shows that he is in top form and will not go down without a shout.

BREEN OPENS AUTUMN SERIES WITH A WIN IN CAVAN

Tipperary's Trevor Breen made a great start to the 2009 ShowjumpingIreland Autumn Grand Prix League when winning the opening leg at the Cavan Indoor Championships late last night.

The 2008 National Champion recorded the top score in a 17 way jump off from 71 starters in the Gala sponsored event for €4,500.

Riding Karen Swann’s Adventure De Kannan, Breen broke the beams clear to record his first Grand Prix win of the year.  This horse has been quite successful throughout the year including a win in the Hickstead Speed Derby at the famous Hickstead Derby Show in early July.

Taking second on this occasion was the Minister for Defence’s Kiltoom who was again ridden by Captain David O’Brien.  Able substitutes in the Meydan Nations Cup in Aachen during the summer month, O’Brien and the daughter of Cajetano provided yet another double clear round to slot into second.

Former National Speed Champion, Peter Smyth took the next place with Hygie Du Golfe.  Just ahead of Captain David O’Brien who also took fourth place with Mo Chroi.  Alexander Butler took fifth and sixth with John Higgins’s Keeford Topcat and Harold McGahern’s Will Wimble.

The next leg of the ShowjumpingIreland Autumn Grand Prix League takes place on October 4th in Kernan’s Equestrian Centre. 

Next Saturday and Sunday see’s the Newcastle Horse Show taking place with the Final of the ShowjumpingIreland National Grand Prix League taking place on Sunday.
 
Class number 36  GRAND PRIX - SPONORED BY Gala, Dublin Road, Longford
      1 Trevor Breen on Adventure De Kannan (Karen Swann)
      2 Captain David O'Brien on Kiltoom (Minister for Defence)         
      3 Peter Smyth on Hygie Du Golfe (Pat Podmore)
      4 Captain David O'Brien on Mo Chroi (Minister for Defence)
      5 Alexander Butler on Keeford Topcat (John Higgins Snr)
      6 Alexander Butler on Will Wimble (Harold McGahern)
      7 Conor Swail on Cara Touche (Norman Allen)
      8 Cian O'Connor on Markopaulo (Stephen O'Connor Cian O'Connor)
 
61 Starters
17 In Jump Off

WIN FOR CONNORS AS HE CLOSES DOOR ON KEANE CHALLENGE

Francis Connors receiving his prize from Gareth Connolly of Connolly's Redmills, sponsors of the Iverk Grand Prix

Waterford's Francis Connors took a huge step towards claiming his 12th National Grand Prix league title at Iverk Show in Piltown Co Kilkenny today (Saturday), after finishing in first place after an 8 way jump off to claim the lions share of the 3,000 euro on offer from sponsors Connolly's Red Mills

Despite the glorious sunshine overhead, the ground conditions at Iverk were extremely difficult with many partnerships running into trouble when trying to turn as the sod gave way underneath.

Of the 8 combinations that made it into the jump off, the two riders battling it out for the league title, Francis Connors and Tholm Keane had one each safely through. Limericks Paul O Shea was the early pace setter with Camiro de Haar but his time of 41.10 always looked beatable. Tallow Co Waterford's Paul Beecher dually obliged with Loughnatusa WB finishing clear in 40.85 second which was to prove good enough for 3rd place at the end.

Francis Connors went all out aboard Westwinds Cirracruise, aware that some fast combinations were to follow and the grey mare produced a superb display stopping the clock clear in 37.03 seconds. Cashel's Trevor Breen almost steered Always Cullohill into the lead finishing just two tenths of a second slower to go into second place. Last to go was the in form Tholm Keane looking for his 5th straight league win and he posted what was by far the fastest time of the day (34.93) with Warrenstown Well Aware but 2 fences on the floor saw them drop to 8th place overall.

Afterwards a delighted Francis Connors commented, ''she (Westwinds Cirracruise) tried her heart out for me today despite the underfoot conditions, the pressure was really on after Tholm's recent results and this was a really important win. Cirracruise will get a well deserved day turned out in the paddock tomorrow''.

This result means Tholm Keane will have to win at Newcastle in a fortnight and hope Connors finishes outside the points, if he is to land his first National Grand Prix title, anything less and Francs Connors will again lift the coveted crown.

SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE IVERK SHOW SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER
FULL RESULT
1.FRANCIS CONNORS, WESTWINDS CIRRACRUISE (ALICE KEOHE) C/C 37.03
2.TREVOR BREEN, ALWAYS CULLOHILL (JAMES COSTIGAN) C/C 37.23
3 PAUL BEECHER, LOUGHNATUSA WB (TIM BEECHER) C/C 40.85
4 PAUL O SHEA, CAMIRO DE HAAR Z (RONNIE HOLLINGER) C/C 41.10
5 STEPHAINE FINNETTO, HERACROSS (HIGHFORT STUD) C/C 42.11
6 DEREK Mc CONNELL, MACUSHLA R (TOM McGURK) C/C 52.12
7 LISA O FARRELL, THE BODYGAURD (SEAMUS HUTCHINSON) C/4 44.40
8 THOLM KEANE, WARRENSTOWN WELL AWARE (RONAN TYNAN) C/8, 34.93
9 THOLM KEANE, REDMILLS KRAFTY JACK (RONAN TYNAN) 4/- 78.82
10 DAVID BLAKE, FABIENNE (MICHAEL BLAKE) 4/- 84.48

KEANE MOVES TO WITHIN TWO POINTS OF CONNORS

Tholm Keane and Warrenstown You 2 (Left) were in the winners enclosure again on Sunday following their win in Barnadown

Tholm Keane moved to within two points of 10 times National Grand Prix League Champion Francis Connors when taking his fourth successive Grand Prix in Barnadown on Sunday.

The Waterford native took full points with Ronan Tynan's Narcos Stallion Warrenstown You 2 with a double clear round in a time of 38.94 to take the honours in the Barnadown Equestrian Shop sponsored class.

Having had such a good run of late, Keane has secured a full 40 points over the last four legs to move to just two points behind Connors. 

Killkenny rider, Ger O'Neill put in another solid performance when taking second with the consistent I Caeser.  Vincent Digby's gelding produced a fine double clear effort to slot into second place with a time of 40.38.

Ten times National Grand Prix Champion Francis Connors took enough points to stay in front in the league when slotting into third place.  Riding Lundy Lad, the pair continued their good run of form for the season when compeleting another double clear in 41.08.  Both horse and rider remain on the top of their respective leader boards with one leg remaining.

SHOWJUMPING IRELAND NATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEAGUE-BARNADOWN EQUESTRIAN, SUNDAY 6th SEPTEMBER
FULL RESULT
1 THOLM KEANE ON WARRENSTOWN YOU 2 (RONAN TYNAN) C/C 38.94
2 GER O'NEILL ON I CAESAR (VINCENT DIGBY) C/C 40.38
3 FRANCIS CONNORS ON LUNDY LAD SEAN HAYDEN C/C 41.08
4 MIGUEL BRAVO ON HERITAGE FORTUNA (ANN HUGHES)
5 SHANE CONNELL ON CARINO (PATRICIA CONNELL)
6 STEVEN SMITH ON DARGLE KA CHING (RICHARD SHEANE & STEVEN SMITH)