It was another busy weekend for show jumping around the country with senior, amateur and pony riders all in action in a series of league shows.
Following on from being crowned the SJI National Grand Prix league winner Liam O’Meara returned to the winner’s enclosure when he won the Munster Grand Prix at the Cork Kerry SJI Show last Sunday. Riding Mr. Coolcaum, he lodged the wining clear round in 37.24 seconds.
Patrick Hickey was the only other rider to stay within the 40 second mark. He jumped clear with Quandurina in 39.84 for second. Tholm Keane was fractions behind with Delano W finishing in third. Maura Counihan Jnr and Killerisk Minnie filled fourth place.
Winner of the final leg of the Mervue Equine Leinster Spring Tour, Francis Connors took fifth with Newmarket Clare Lady, ahead of Patrick Joyce and Ballyknock Vivendi Blaze in sixth.
On Sunday Mullingar Equestrian played host to the Mullingar Amateur Show and Midlands Branch Horse and Pony Final.
The Farmers Journal A Championship Final went to Meath man Peter Dargan. He partnered the 18-year-old mare Temple Cruise (Cruising x Temple Court) to a double clear in 32.43. Dargan was chased home by Sharon Ryan and Diamond Pierre, who also put in a foot perfect round in 32.91.
Third placed belonged to Rebecca Norman and Sweet Ebony, ahead of Caroline Ryan and Failte Iroko. Joe Clinton and Gorrion Del Gato also jumped clear to take fifth. Marie Crosse and St Helene completed the line up in sixth.
It was a well worth trip from Leitrim for Deirdre Dolan when she won the National Amateur Dingos Final. She jumped clear in a time of 43.05 aboard Bonnie Miss Sarco. Galway rider Aisling Donoghue was less than a second behind with She Lux Quality.
Donoghue also finished second in the Waltzing Weasel Amateur Derby, behind Brian Cassidy and Looks Easy. Leading the victory lap in the Grand Prix was Joanna Penfold and Playtime Cruise, clear in 35.77.
Johnnie Fitzpatrick and Saunders Beach Ball were runners up and Penfold returned to take third place with King Cruise.