Exciting prospects shine at JAG Equestrian

The Showjumpers’ Club Spring Tour got off to a great start last Sunday at JAG Equestrian, with 40 going to post. Of those, 20 combinations progressed to the jump-off.

Jamie Landers was victorious riding Georgina Forbes’ Castleforbes Violette, when clear in 34.75 seconds. Castleforbes Violette is a 10-year-old gelding by Vivaldo Vh Costersveld and out of the Pamphile sired dam, Quaylin Castleforbes.

Under the command of Michael Duffy in 2017, he moved up to Grand Prix level and competed up to CSI2* in Europe. Landers took over the ride in 2018 and the pair have clocked up placings up to 1.35m and have also taken in some international shows at CSI2* level.

Exciting prospects

Another exciting prospect for 2019 is Aoife McCabe’s Paciro. Ridden by Thomas O’Brien they secured the runner-up spot. The gelding is by Pacino (BWP) out of Ramiro View (ISH), by Ramiro B, and was bred by Patrick Flanagan from Leitrim. Last year this combination impressed, winning the seven-year-old ISH Studbook show jumping league and finishing second in the Grand Prix in Galway.

It came as a surprise, that this gelding was not chosen to represent Ireland at Lanaken last year. Previously campaigned by his owner Aoife McCabe in the aged classes and up to 1.35m level, he qualified for the RDS the year previous. Without a doubt, O’Brien will be aiming this horse at the National Grand Prix’s in 2019.

Olive Clarke put in an impressive clear in 35.52 seconds for third aboard Lauren Kardel’s, Aimoise Valiere. Bred by Michel Verbeeck, this nine-year-old French mare is by Quaprice Boimargot Quincy and out of the Veneur Du Montois sired dam, Gerboise Du Montoi. Although a relatively new partnership, they have featured in the international line-up’s in CSI1* in Cavan and Millstreet.

The mare was previously campaigned by Jake Hunter and Belgian Michael Joly.

It was well worth the trip for Landers, as he also filled fourth place with Moira Forbes’ Valtor De Blagny. Another French bred, the 10-year-old skewbald gelding is by Limbo and out of the Fetiche Du Pas sired dam, Opale De Blagny. Landers has been campaigning this horse for over four-years with consistent results on the National circuit up to 1.35m level.

Young rider success

Part of Showjumping Ireland’s academy in 2018, Luke Garrigan put his first points on the board and claimed the Botanica Ireland young rider prize, when he took fifth with MHS La Scala, clear in 35.94.

JAG has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Garrigans. In 2018, Luke’s brother Matt took the honours in the National Grand Prix also with MHS La Scala.

MHS La Scala comes from a long line of show jumpers. Bred by the late Ita Brennan, the 11-year-old mare is by Verdi and out of the Cavalier Royale sired dam, Lady Ligustra. She is a half-sister to Ballypatrick Mystique (Heritage Fortunus), who was campaigned by Greg Broderick to Grand Prix level.

MHS La Scala, was previously ridden by Eddie Moloney and Greg Broderick.

Kildare young rider, Stephen Murphy completed the top-six, when he jumped clear with his father Brian’s Chantelle. Murphy will be one to watch in 2019. In 2017 he won the 1.20m Mervue Equine Leinster league, with Exelsoir Van De Noordheuve and Chantelle.

Bred by Gerry Traynor, the 10-year-old mare is by Lux Z out of the Errigal Flight-sired dam, Texaco’s Delphine. Traynor has had much success with this mare, breeding eight foals from her. The mare’s full sister, Luxs Curios, is owned by Brian Murphy and was campaigned by Michael and Stephen Murphy with much success. Another full sister, Birchwood Holly has also been successful for the Murphy family.

Vickie Anderson and her mount Zack failed to make the line-up after securing a place in the in the jump-off, but did take the Equijump Ltd Leading Pro/Am prize.

Results

•1: Lady Georgina Forbes’ Castleforbes Violette. Jamie Landers (0/0 34.75)

•2: Aoife McCabe’s Paciro. Thomas O’Brien (0/0 35.07)

•3: Lauren Kardel’s Aimoise Valiere. Olive Clarke (0/0 35.52)

•4: Moira Forbes’ Valtor De Blagny. Jamie Landers (0/0 35.68)

•5:Luke Garrigan’s MHS La Scala. Luke Garrigan (0/0 35.94)

•6: Brian Murphy’s Chantelle. Stephen Murphy (0/0 36.01)