The Jumping in the City series has certainly taken off as spectators flocked to Curragheen Stadium in Cork for another evening of top-class show jumping last Friday. This second round of the series boasted a star studded lineup with Olympic medallist Cian O’Connor, fellow Olympian and Cork native Billy Twomey, former World Champion Dermott Lennon and Tipperary’s rising Nations Cup star Greg Broderick battling it out.

The Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix took centre stage with 16 combinations taking on Tony Hurley’s course. This round proved very competitive and in the end it was Kildare’s Alexander Butler riding the Ladycastle Syndicate-owned Vimminka who stole the show with a clear in 41.14.

All eyes were on local rider Billy Twomey, who crossed the line just over a second behind Butler to take the runner-up spot on Sue Davies’ Tinka’s Serenade. Kildare’s Nicola FitzGibbon slotted into third when she partnered Lady Georgina Forbes’ Poker Des Dames to a clear in 44.05 seconds. The next three placings were occupied by Waterford riders with Peter Moloney fourth with Ribanbelle Tame, ahead of Capt Geoff Curran and Shannondale Rahona and Francis Connors and Hyperion.

Amateurs

Sixteen amateur combinations battled it out in the West Wood Ifor Williams Amateur Speed Class. Taking the honours with a clear in 47.87 seconds was Co Down native Victoria McKee on Grahame Forsythe’s Irish Sport Horse Carrigeen Mos. McKee saw off the challenge from Tipperary’s Joanna Penfold as she crossed the line over two seconds slower with King Cruise (ISH). Cork native Johanna Maher galloped home in third with Lissangle Royale Jade (ISH).

Entering into the spirit of the evening, Horse Sport Ireland chair Pat Wall took his place in the lineup when slotting into eighth with Trebor Tell Me More, and thereby qualified for the final of the series, which takes place in Shelbourne Park, Dublin on Friday 26 June.

Puissance Power

As in the previous round, the Devenish Puissance proved to be a real crowd-pleaser. Starting off at 1.70m, three of the six riders went three rounds.

Standing at 2.15m, two riders – Tipperary’s Liam O’Meara with Cisero and Wexford’s Jason Higgins riding Hadine Van’t Zorgvliet – cleared the wall to share the glory.

Daniel Coyle and Fanadwest Rebel finished in third place. In joint fourth place were Billy Twomey and Bellscross Cruisedown and Edward Butler with DK Dreammaker.