Sunday, 9 August saw the eighth round of the Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix take place in Killossery, Dublin.

The top spot was claimed by Wicklow native Mark Finnerty, riding Rory Finnerty’s home-bred All Action, after a clear round in 37.25 seconds. This result now puts Finnerty at the top-end of the leaderboard having added 10 points to his existing tally of nine. He had previously picked up six points in Jag Equestrian and three in Cavan.

The young rider, who is from Redcross in Wicklow boasts an impressive record in the young rider arena. Amongst his good results was being chosen as a finalist in the RDS bursary competition in 2018.

All Action, who was bred by the Finnerty family is a nine-year-old chestnut gelding by Askoll Peter Pan and out of Ballykean Judy by Touchdown.

It was a good day all round for Finnerty, who claimed first place earlier in the day in the 1.20m class with Poshes Legacy.

Taking the runner-up spot on this occasion was Stephen Murphy, riding Brian Murphy’s Lux Z mare Chantelle, after a clear round in a time of 37.96.

Derek McConnell filled two slots in this line-up. Riding Sorcha Hennessy’s seven-year-old mare, Izzy he was fastest of the four faulters in 38.21 seconds for third place. McConnell also took fifth place with Hennessy’s eight-year-old Dothraki Warlord, when he was fastest of the four faulters in the first round (69.94). This combination added an extra seven points to their tally which now stands at 16 points.

Separating McConnell’s placings, when slotting into fourth place was Thomas Foley and Cassido, when they also had a pole on the ground in 39.38 seconds.

John Floody also had one down in the first round aboard the Denyse Hughes-owned Ballyknock Diamond, but had a fast time of 70.70 meaning he took home sixth place.

Third time lucky for Greene and Tipperary

Clare native Joan Greene landed her first win in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix, when she took the top spot in the seventh round of the league at Tipperary Equestrian on Saturday 8 August, coming out on top against 37 other combinations.

Greene was riding the Tim O’Shea-owned Vivendi Tipperary, and they flew home with nothing to add in 37.08 seconds to take the winner’s share of the €2,000 prize in the Tipperary Equestrian-sponsored class.

Bred by her owner Tim O’Shea, Vivendi Tipperary is a 10-year-old mare by ARS Vivendi and out of Wise Girl C. This was the combination’s third Grand Prix since the season resumed. Last month in Barnadown, they produced a double clear round, but finished outside the top six placings.

Delighted with how the day went, Fiona Ryan from Tipperary Equestrian said: “It was a great day with very competitive jumping and Alan Wade set a great course. I was delighted to see all the big names turn out, such as the Army Equitation School, Greg Broderick, Liam O’Meara and Francis Connors, plus many more. I would like to thank all our sponsors, TRI Equestrian, Equipe Saddles, Boomerang.ie and Garrabridge Lighting in Chair.”

Taking the runner-up spot was Kevin Gallagher, who put in a great attempt aboard the GBBS Ltd and Ennisnag Stud-owned ESI Star Struck, when crossing the line clear in 38.09.

Local rider, Greg Broderick followed closely behind when he answered all the questions with the eight-year-old Coolivio PS in 40.73 seconds for third place.

Waterford rider, Gemma Phelan took a more cautious approach with Thomas Hyland’s Coolisheal Lance and the result was a clear in 42.10 for fourth place.

Junior rider Anabelle Heffron and X-Flow Lightyear 2 jumped clear in a time of 43.39 for fifth place.

It was a good outing for the team at GBBS Ltd as Ethen Ahearne took sixth place with Loreana 337. The pair may have had two poles down, but they clocked a fast time of 43.12.