Galway native, Jessica Burke lodged her first win in the 2018 SJI National Grand Prix series, last Sunday at CoilÓg Equestrian. Riding the Express Trend (ISH), she was one of only two double clears, in a time of 41.18 seconds. Bred and owned by Clare man, Liam Nicholas, the gelding is an eight year-old by Future Trend and out of the Condios sired mare, Condios Express.

The dam has six offspring at present. Nicholas has opted for Future Trend as a choice of stallion on two occasions, Mermus R twice, and Tyson and Nash Me once. Burke has produced the gelding from the beginning and has had much success in the aged class and the ISH Studbook Series. Last year, the combination were part of the Irish Squad that travelled to the Young Horse World Championships at Lanaken. This year the they finished seventh in a Table A in Millstreet CSI 1*.

Taking the runner-up spot was Louis Gates-Hardiman and Erasmus vd Heffinck, when clear in 49.78. Owned by Beatrice Gates-Hardiman, Erasmus vd Heffinck is a 14 year-old Belgian bred gelding, by Cartier vd Heffinck and out of Anka van ‘t Lozerhof.

Waterford’s Gemma Phelan was unlucky to have two on the floor with Rory Costigan’s GRC Acapella, but a fast time of 42.31 saw her take third. Darryl Walker accounted for the next two slots, taking fourth with Sandra Duffy’s Caliva Charca MM Z, carrying eight faults. He took fifth with his own CCS Otomatic. Gerard Clarke and Kellswater Crimson were sixth.

Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour

On Saturday, Mikey Pender put his first points on the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour leaderboard, when won in CoilÓg. Riding HHS California, he was almost three seconds faster than his closest rival, when clocking 25.28 seconds.

Bred by Marion Hughes, HHS California is an eight year-old mare, by Heritage Fortunus and out of A Touch Of Grey. The mare also took third place in the Leinster Summer Tour in Barnadown earlier this summer with Marion Hughes in the saddle. Marta Hughes also qualified her for the Children on Horses class in the RDS.

In the 1.20m division, victory went to John Floody when he kept all the poles in place with Donevan Erkindale, in a time of 33.43. Owned by Kevin Thompson and Geralyn Thompson, the 10 year-old Dutch bred gelding is by Unaniem and out of Faust Z. Under Floody’s command he has been consistently placed up to 1.30m level.

Placed second in the round in Ballivor, Sarah Gorman went one better as she took the honours in the 1.10m division. Riding her own Take A Gamble, the Wexford rider lodged a clear in 29.08. It has certainly been a busy few months for Gorman, having also qualified for the amateurs at Dublin Horse Show at the first qualifier at Warrington. Bred by Celia Farrell, the 14 year-old gelding is by Ard VDL Douglas and out of the Kiltealy Spring sired dam, Cherry Grove.

A full brother, Sir Thomas went on to compete on the eventing circuit in the UK.