Female riders continued to make their presence felt in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix series, with Rebecca McGoldrick taking top honours in the second leg of the series at Kernan Equestrian in Co Down last Saturday (11 July).

Riding her own Belgian Warmblood, Horatio Van Erpekom, McGoldrick clocked the winning round of double clear in 36.22 seconds.

Horatio Van Erpekom is a 13-year-old, by Kannan and out of the Udarco Van Overis sired dam, Cheyenne Van Erpekom.

McGoldrick, who was born in Toronto, Canada trains with Dermott Lennon and was competing in her first National Grand Prix of the year.

In total, 43 combinations went to post at the Armagh venue. Eight of those delivered clear rounds to secure their place in the timed round. With the pressure on, just four combinations lodged double clears against the clock.

Junior rider, Francis Derwin was less than a second behind McGoldrick with Carol Gee’s MHS Fernhill Showtime, when clocking 37 seconds to take the runner-up spot. Accounting for third place was Dermott Lennon riding his own Athletix Hero Z, stopping the clock in 39.58.

Fitzpatrick double

Following on from her win in the opening leg of the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix at Galway Equestrian Centre two weeks ago, Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick extended her lead even further on Sunday (12 July) when claiming top spot again in the third round of the series at JAG Equestrian in Kildare.

Fitzpatrick was riding her Galway winning mount, 11-year-old Verdict de Kezeg and set the winning standard of clear in 42.76.

The gelding is by Diamant de Semilly and out of the Vas Y Donc Longane sired dam, Hazelle de Rhuys. Fitzpatrick, who had previously been out of action with a broken collar bone before the COVID-19 lockdown, took over the ride from a Swiss friend, Ines De Melo, who is taking a break from competition to attend university.

Course designer, Tom Holden set the challenge for the 32 starters and of those, seven proceeded to the jump-off track.

Local rider, Edward Doyle put in a gallant attempt with his own Billy Kat, but a clear in 47.26, proved only good enough for second place. Sixth in the round in Galway, Paul Beecher added to his points total when he took third place with Caruso 568, after a clear round in 49.40.

Lynch second in French Grand Prix

Tipperary’s Denis Lynch recorded a runner-up finish in the €100,000 Grand Prix at Grimaud on France’s Côte d’Azur last Sunday (12 July).This was the second time in 24 hours that Lynch and the Onyx Consulting-owned stallion Cristello finished as runners-up, having also taken second place in Saturday’s 1.50m competition at the same venue.

Mullingar Equestrian Horse Sales will host a Select Auction of Hunters and Eventers on 4 September. A selection and video day will take place on 11 August. In order to be eligible, horses and ponies should have been born in Ireland and have a proven track record in either the hunting field or eventing.

The Stepping Stones to Success League held annually at Wexford Equestrian Centre has been rescheduled and will begin next week on Tuesday 21 July. The league highlights eventing stars of the future which are judged on performance, confirmation, trainability and future potential. The 2020 league has a prize fund of €12,000.

A Stepping Stones To Success online auction will be held via the Equine Auctions Ireland platform on 1 and 2 September and is open to four and five-year-olds, thoroughbreds of any age and ponies.

Entries are now open and to be eligible for the auction the horse must attend two qualifiers and the viewing day or final of the Stepping Stones League.

The auction will be limited to 30 lots, if oversubscribed the judging criteria from the league will be utilised to select the final catalogue.

The entry fee is €80 and includes a professional competition and flatwork video, in hand presentation video and professional photograph from the league. In addition to the online resources, it is also possible for virtual or in-person trials to be arranged.

To view upcoming auctions catalogues visiteai.auction.com or contact Maria on 0860210137.

All information on the Stepping Stone League and criteria can be found on steppingstonestosuccess.ie or by phoning Orla on 086 3902309.