It was another busy night for Munster jumping with the second leg of the Munster Stadium Showjumping taking place last Friday in the Curraheen Park Stadium in Cork.

As in the first round, riders and spectators travelled near and far for an evening of top-class jumping. It began with the hotly contested amateur class and taking the honours and the O’Brien’s Saddlery Munster Stadium Showjumping amateur champion crown was Kilkenny native Patrick Drennan. Riding Randomer, Drennan recorded the winning round of 53.94 seconds. Filling the second spot was the local combination of Joanna B Maher on her own Lissangle Royale Jade, clear in 54.89. Third place on the podium was claimed by Connacht man Keith Cullen riding his own Strattenstown Eliah, clear in 54.97.

The 128cm ponies contested the Coolmore Future Champions class. As expected, this class proved very competitive with five of the 16 starters booking their place in the second round.

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Following some tough competition, it was Tipperary’s Harriet Penfold riding Gelliganol Guinever who claimed the top position on the podium when they delivered the winning clear in 35.75 seconds. Taking the runner-up spot was Kilkenny native Timmy Brennan riding GCS Cutie, clear in 44.15, while third place went to Ryan Sweetnam and The Silver Legend, who crossed the line carrying four faults in 34.52.

The Horse Sport Ireland Grand Prix provided top-class entertainment with 10 of the 16 combinations making it through to the timed round. As in the previous round, the top two places were guaranteed qualifying spots to Shelbourne Park for the Jumping in the City final. It was another good day for Kilkenny riders as Patrick Drennan’s cousin Vincent Byrne took the honours.

Currently leading the National Grand Prix League, Vincent Byrne demonstrated his strength aboard Mr Rockefeller when he delivered a clear in 39.02 to take the win. Claiming the runner-up spot was Donegal man Kenneth Graham riding the Kelda Morgan-owned Lyrical when crossing the line with nothing to add in 39.34. In third place was Waterford’s Francis Connors riding Bobby Flynn’s Hyperion, clear in 42.91 seconds.