Victory in the inaugural TRM/Horseware New Heights Champion Series at Louth County Show, last Sunday belonged to Rio Olympian, Greg Broderick. Riding Pearl Bledron’s Charmeur the Tipperary rider lodged the winning round when clear in 44.99 seconds and took the winner’s share of the €10,000 on offer.

Charmeur (KWPN) is a 10-year-old gelding by Calvaro Z out of the Heartbreaker-sired mare Wirkeness. A new partnership, having only taking over the ride in February, Broderick took over campaigning the gelding at Vejer de la Frontera CSI3* and later in Cagnes-sur-Mer CSI3*. Prior to this the gelding was campaigned by Kayleigh Watts with much success up to CSI4* level.

International course designer, Tom Holden set the challenge for the 28 starters, with nine of those proceeding to the raised jump-off track.

Returning from international duty in Vejer de la Frontera, Sophie Dalm and Remake Lande impressed when they delivered a clear in 47.78s for second. Fresh from his international duty in Vilamoura, Max O’Reilly Hyland and Ahmed Du Calvarie lodged a clear in 48.31s for third place.

In fourth place was Damian Griffin and Tabby when they finished up last of the double clears in 49.95s. Winners of the final round of the Connollys Red Mills Spring Tour in Warrington, Nicholas Butler and Vimminka found themselves back in the ribbons when they finished fastest of the four faulters in 44.09s for fifth. His brother Alexander Butler proved that the time could be beaten when he clocked 45.43s with Hallowberry Cruz, but four faults meant a sixth place finish for the pairing.

SJI National Grand Prix

On Saturday, action kicked-off in the National Grand Prix with 58 combinations battling it out in the Show Jumping Ireland National Grand Prix league for their share of the €5,000 on offer. Taking the honours was Donegal rider Kenneth Graham riding George having crossed the line with nothing to add in 38.10 seconds. Little separated the top three placings with all three coming home within the 39 second barrier.

Owned by William Lapsley, George is a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Touchdown out of the Clover Hill-sired mare Solas Dubh. Last year, the combination impressed when they took the honours in the Gain/Alltech Grand Prix at Cavan. This year they started off strong when they took sixth place in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour in Cavan in March. Prior to this the gelding was produced by Kelda Morgan from the age of three having been bought at Cavan sales.

Tom Holden set the challenge and with riders up to the task 12 of those proceeded to the timed round. Graham was chased home by Neal Fearon who lodged a clear with Cohiba VDL in 38.44s.

Winner of the Spring tour in Mullingar, James Hogg demonstrated his talent when he slotted into third place with Always On My Mind when clear in 38.67s. It was a well worth trip from Waterford for Gemma Phelan as she delivered a clear with Loughnavatta Indigo in 39.29s for eventual fourth.

Kenneth Graham was back in the ribbons this time claiming fifth place with his own Lyrical when clear in 39.29s. Matt Garrigan’s decision to play it safe with MHS La Scala paid off when he was the last of the fault-free rounds in 41.68s for sixth place.

Mervue Equine Leinster Tour

Louth County also played host to the opening round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Tour and, as expected, there was a good following for both the 1.20m and the 1.35m section. Alexander Butler got his weekend off to a good start when he took the honours in the 1.20m division. Riding Eldorado, he lodged the winning round of clear in 36.03 seconds.

Close behind was Ellen Hughes and Hard Times who lodged a clear in 37.81s, ahead of William Anderson and Iroko Molly in 37.94s. In fourth place was Michael Cave and Mirdads Allamdu Lillah, clear in 39.54s, while Sean Kavanagh and Finsceal Indianna slotted into fifth, clear in 41.55s. Nicholas Butler completed the line-up when he crossed the line with nothing to add in 41.61s with Nimbostratus.

In the 1.35m division, Neal Fearon added to his tally when he clocked the winning round with FTS Elliot when clear in 38.30s. James Hogg was just over a second behind with Interpreter in 39.36s, while reigning champion Francis Connors slotted into third with Capitol Cruis in 40.51s.

Young rider, Kelly Taggart accounted for fourth place when she partnered HTWO to a clear in 45.40s, ahead of John Floody and Shalamar Cassino in 46.48s.