Winner of the New Heights Champions Series in 2017, National Champion Greg Broderick made his mark on this year’s TRM/HSI New Heights Champions Series, as he took the win in the opening round in ‘The Meadows’ today (22nd April). Riding Duco, the Tipperary rider was one of only two double clears in a time of 47.69 seconds.

Owned by Mary Ellen De Ruschi, Duco (KWPN) is a 10 year-old gelding by Vigaro, out of Upperlaine. Duco made his appearance on the National circuit this April, under the command of Darragh Ryan in Warrington and before this, he was campaigned by Broderick in Vejer de la Frontera CSI4* in March.                                           

As expected there was a good turn-out for the opening round, with 40 riders going to post. Of the original starters, 10 proceed to the timed round.

Prolific winner in the pony and young rider ranks, Ciaran Nallon demonstrated his talent when he delivered the only other double clear with Arkino Z, in a time of 48.33 for second place.

No stranger to this type of pressure, Dermott Lennon kept all the poles in place with Gelvins Touch in the first round, but four faults in a fast time of 43.26, saw him finish as the fastest four faulter, and as a result took third place.

Winners of the Henry Murray & Co. sponsored SJI Grand Prix the day before, Kenneth Graham and George, were back in the line-up. This time, the combination had an unlucky four faults in the first round, but a clear in the second round in a time of 43.75 seconds, proved good enough for eventual fourth.

Captain Geoff Curran delivered a clear round in the first round aboard Shannondale Rahona, but four faults against the clock in 44.04, saw them slott into fifth place.

Returning from Opglabbeek CSIOJ, Kate Derwin and AHG Whiterock Cruise Down also put in a solid performance in their first ever Champion Series. The pairing incurred four faults in the first round, but made no mistakes in the second, stopping the clock in 46.49, for eventual sixth place. Derwin is no stranger to success in the pony arena, with a host of results at home and abroad. The Athlone teenager took the silver medal at the European Championships at Kaposvár in Hungary aboard Cull Ban Mistress and formed part of the Gold Medal winning team, alongside Ciaran Nallon.

Results TRM/ HSI New Heights Champion Series

The Meadows 22nd April 2018

1st: Greg Broderick, Duco (0/0 - 47.69)

2nd:Ciaran Nallon, Arkino Z (0/0 - 48.33)

3rd:Dermott Lennon, Gelvins Touch (0/4 - 43.26)

4th:Kenneth Graham, George (4/0 - 43.75)

5th:Cpt. Geoff Curran, Shannondale Rahona (0/4- 44.04)

6th:Kate Derwin, AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (4/0 - 46.49)

7th:John Mullingan, Cornetto 10 (0/4 - 47.72)

8th:Jack Ryan, Cavalier Teaca (4/4 - 44.27)

9th:Anna Carway, Ajaccio (0/8 - 50.72)

10th: Greg Broderick, Ballypatrick Flamenco (0/15 - 70.89)