Riders were out in force at the Meadows last week to contest the TRM/ Horseware New Heights Champion Series ahead of next week’s final in Barnadown.

It was a worthwhile trip for Tholm Keane as he took second place in the SJI National Grand Prix and then went on to take victory in the TRM/ Horseware New Heights Champion series.

On both occasions, Keane was riding the James Buckley and Caroline Teltsch eight-year-old, Irish Sport Horse stallion BMH Big Time. This stallion has impressed in recent years and was part of the Irish squad at the FEI World Breeding Championships for young horses at Lanaken in 2015 and 2016.

Speaking afterwards, Keane said; “ At the moment we are concentrating on producing the stallion, but the plan is to use him. He has great breeding lines and he has all the qualities that you look for in a stallion for example scope, a good brain, good temperament and he has no problems with the technicality of the courses. I really think this stallion has a bright future”.

On Sunday, 26 combinations lined out to contest the penultimate round of the TRM/ Horseware New Heights Champion Series. From those the top 25% proceeded to the timed round. Placed third in the National Grand Prix the day before with Vimminka, Nicholas Butler upped the ante and the pairing slotted into second place.

This was another good result for the very consistent Vimminka and her owners, Ladycastle Syndicate, will no doubt be looking to the future as the mare has two off-spring just starting their careers.

Dermot Lennon accounted for third and fourth place with Vampire and Calgot Hero respectively.

PATTERSON’S GRAND PRIX JOY

In total 47 combinations lined out for the SJI National Grand Prix and it was young rider Hannah Patterson that took the honours. Riding Daberlina, Patterson was one of 11 to proceed to the jump-off and she was fastest of seven double clears.

On Sunday, Patterson was back in the ribbons when she took victory in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook six-year-old final, delivering the only double clear with Volt Star.

Mikey Pender took the honours in the final leg of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook series in the seven-year-old division and in the five-year-olds.

In the five-year-olds, riding Forty Roses he delivered the fastest double clear in 39.69 seconds. In the seven-year-olds he led the victory lap with HHS Washington.

The overall five-year-old Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series champion was Miss Jolly, ridden by Jessica Burke. Burke also took the six-year-old Irish Sport Horse Studbook series riding Castlelawn Captain Junior. Ger O’Neill and Martin Egan’s gelding Castlefield Vegas won the seven-year-old series.