The TopSpec Autumn Grand Prix kicked off last weekend at the Meadows Equestrian Autumn Grand Prix Show. On Saturday, the Lurgan venue played host to a 1.35m Grand Prix with a start list of 32 combinations. The Autumn Grand Prix is always an opportunity to see new horses step up a level. The class was dominated by northern riders, they filled five of the top six placings on the first day.
The TopSpec Autumn Grand Prix kicked off last weekend at the Meadows Equestrian Autumn Grand Prix Show. On Saturday, the Lurgan venue played host to a 1.35m Grand Prix with a start list of 32 combinations.
The Autumn Grand Prix is always an opportunity to see new horses step up a level. The class was dominated by northern riders, they filled five of the top six placings on the first day.
Fastest of the seven-way jump-off was Jonathan Smyth and Charlton Clio. They delivered a double clear in 31.70 seconds. Bred by Peter Mulrine from Donegal and owned by Richard J W Smyth, Charlton Clio (ISH) is an 11-year-old mare by HHS BR Charlton out of the Clover Hill sired mare, Admiran Clio.
Mulrine has registered ten offspring from the dam and three of those are by HHS BR Charlton. Two full-sisters include Charlton Chloe, who is jumping on the Children on Horses circuit, and Admiran Oh Me, who jumped up to 1.20m last year.
Under Symth’s command, Charlton Clio has proved successful at home and abroad. In August this year the pairing where part of the team that finished fifth in the Young Riders European Championships in Samorin.
Double clears
The remainder of the line-up all jumped double clears, with time proving to be the deciding factor. Frank Curran and Afrika finished in 35.72 for second. Owned by Heffron Equine, the 12-year-old gelding is by Convertor and out of a Carthego sired dam, Stutbuch.
Philip Gaw came third with Ardnacashel Coovella in 36.71. Bred by Janice Reddy, the nine-year-old mare is by Luidam and out of a Harlequin Du Carel sired dam, Prominence. Reddy has three other offspring registered from this dam.
County Down rider Ronald Ross piloted Gilbo VD Gulden Z to fourth. The ten-year-old Belgian-Bred gelding is by Griseldi and out of a Heartbreaker mare, Rialto 11 Van De Guden.
Peter Smyth filled fifth with the nine-year-old Shenanigans. The gelding is by Heartbreaker (KWPN) and out of a Centro sired mare, Wonder Why.
Kildare’s Peter Flanagan finished the line-up riding Bua Gan Noctadh, when he was last of the double clears in 39.62. Owned by Emily Horgan and bred by Dr. Noel Cawley, this gelding is well related. The dam, Ballinakill Clover, has proved to be a very successful dam for Cawley, with numerous offspring competing at the highest level. Bua Gan Noctadh, is by the world famous sire Flexible.
1.40 Grand Prix
On Sunday, victory in the 1.40m went to John Floody and HTS Blackrock, when double clear in 33.90. Bred by his owner Brian Kiernan, HTS Blackrock is an 11-year-old stallion by Rhyne Clover out of a Diamond Chin mare, Marilyn D Chin.
Philip Gaw partnered Ardnacashel Coovella to second. Darryl Walker’s trip to Lurgan proved worthwhile. He jumped clear with Caliva Charca MMZ for third. Owned by Sandra Duffy, the Zangersheide 10-year-old mare is by Calido I and out of the Bon Ami sired mare, Vanna Van Het Voorhof.
Jonathan Smyth followed up on Saturday’s success. He finished fourth with Mulvin Lui. Fifth went to Charlene Clingan and Ardtana Flash Forward. Bred and owned by Trevor Clingan, the 10-year-old mare is by Luidam and out of a Flagmount King sired mare, Artana Flagmount Queen.
Sixth went Peter Smyth and Roscrib de Ross. Bred by David Henry and owned by William Todd, the eleven-year-old gelding, by Varo and out of the Flagmount King sired dam, Diamond Clover Betty.
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