Maryville will no doubt prove to be a memorial venue for Waterford’s Gemma Phelan as she landed her first win in the TRM/Horse Sport Ireland New Heights Champion Series there last Sunday. Riding GRC Acapella, she was one of two double clears and had the fastest time of the day.

Bred and owned by Rory Costigan, the eight year-old gelding is by Luidam and out of the Aldato-sired, Ballydoolagh Amiee Sunrise. This combination claimed fourth in the series at Tattersalls, third in the National Grand Prix in Coilog and fifth in the opening round in the National Grand Prix in the Meadows.

From the 23 starters six went through to the second round. Jessica Burke riding Express Trend (ISH) delivered the only other clear round. This eight-year-old gelding is by Future Trend and out of the Condios sired mare, Condios Express. He is owned and bred by Liam Nicholas.

Burke produced the gelding from a young age and was successful in the aged class and the ISH Studbook Series. Last year, they travelled as part of the Irish Squad to the Young Horse World Championships at Lanaken. This season they won the SJI National Grand Prix in Coilog.

Third place was shared between Dermott Lennon riding MJM Pursuit and Darragh Ryan riding Rincoola Rua. Both combinations delivered clears first time out, but incurred four faults in the second round. in a time of 43.12.

Joan Greene and CSF Vinze added four faults to their first round score for fifth. Bred by Patrick Connolly in Galway and owned by Tim O’ Shea, the nine-year-old gelding is by Luidam and out of the Cruising-sired dam, CSF Telly Cruise.

Madeline Roberts Allen went into the second round aboard Daroento Vdl (KWPN) on zero penalties, however, eight faults in the second round in a time of 62.50 left her in sixth place. Owned by the rider, the Dutch bred stallion is a 10-year-old by Cardento and out of Laranda.

NATIONAL GRAND PRIX

On Saturday Matt Garrigan lodged his second National Grand Prix win. Garrigan partnered Contino 56 to a clear in the 15 way jump-off in a time of 40.88 seconds. Bred by Mohr Maike, the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding is by Contender and out of Ellina II.

In 2017 Garrigan was accepted into the Young Rider Academy [YRA]. Run by the European Equestrian Federation [EEF] the programme offers some of the top underage riders, between the age of 18 and 23, the opportunity to train at a leading stables for six months.

The riders are also educated in communications and business, as well as instruction in veterinary and legal issues related to showjumping.

Darryl Walker and Kiss N Fly also delivered a clear, albeit it in the slower time of 43.13, leaving them in second. Liam O’ Meara added his point tally finishing in third with Curraighgraigue Jack Take Flight. With three legs remaining in the league, O’ Meara has a commanding lead on the leaderboard. He holds poll position with Mr Coolcaum on 56 points and second place with Curraighgraigue Jack Take Flight on a total of 38 points. Darryl Walker and Kiss N Fly are third on 29 points.

Wexford rider, Patrick Hickey took fourth place with Martini Van Overis Z. Hickey. Hickey has just completed his Leaving Certificate and is qualified for the Young Rider division in the Dublin Horse Show.

He comes from a family steeped in equestrian success, his grandfather, Michael Hickey, won the RDS Supreme Hunter Championship six times. His other grandfather, Billy McKeever, was Master of the Louth Foxhounds and competed at Badminton Horse Trials. His uncle Michael competed on the Aga Khan team in the 1970’s and his brother William is showjumping in America. His cousin, Mark McAuley, has represented Ireland on many occasions on Nation Cup Teams.

This is the second time that Garrigan and Hickey have gone head to head at Maryville. In July, Hickey took the RDS young rider qualifier with Martini Van Overis Z, while Garrigan and Contino 56 took the runner-up spot.