The much anticipated Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Premier Series got under way at Barnadown Equestrian on Sunday last, 19 July.

Carlow’s Jason Foley claimed top honors with the Irish sport horse Castlefield Vegas who is owned by Martin Egan and Ger O’Neill. The 10-year-old gelding is by Cassino (SWWB) out of Clarkes Quiet Optimistic (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN) and was bred by John Clarke from Co Cavan.

Foley, who won the gold medal at the Young Horse World Championships last year when aged just 18, was in superb form and also filled the runner-up position with the Jim O’Neill-owned Castlefield Cass. It was an incredible day for Kilkenny-based Castlefield Sport Horses, as Castlefield owner Ger O’Neill also took third place at the finish with MHS High Hopes.

Competitive

The HSI-sponsored series, which carries a total prize fund of over €50,000 and is the pinnacle of national show jumping in Ireland, had a competitive turnout, with 46 horses and riders jumping across the day. Of those 46 combinations, 12 jumped clear to go through to the jump-off round.

Stephen Murphy with Chantelle and Capt Geoff Curran with Glengarra Wood shared fourth place after both finishing in 43.65, while Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Galloway completed the top six with a time of 44.16. The next leg of the Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series will take place at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on 2 August.

Doonaverragh powers Elizabeth to Grand Prix

The fourth installment of the Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix took place at Barnadown Equestrian last Saturday (18 July) and for the fourth time, the top spot was claimed by a talented female rider.

International event rider Elizabeth Power delivered the winning round on board her own Doonaveragh O One. The 19-year-old gelding who is by High Roller and out of the Diamond Lad sired dam, Doonaverragh Diamond is showing no signs of slowing down for Power having delivered many impressive results for the Co Meath rider, including a first place finish in the Theraplate Championship at last year’s Dublin Horse Show.

Close finish

On Saturday, a total of 86 combinations took on the track at the Wexford venue and of those, 25 were successful in securing a place in the jump-off. Drawn midway through the list of jumpers, Power left nothing to spare as she clocked the impressive time of 39.50 and took home the winner’s share of €4,000.

Jonathan Smyth was only a fraction behind with Crystal Tom, clocking 40.66 for second place. There was nothing between the next placing as Raphael Lee Jr partnered Captain Marko to a clear in 40.97 for third.

Former World Champion, Dermott Lennon had his eye on a win as he put in a great attempt with his own Athletix Hero Z and despite all the poles staying in place, the combination’s time of 41.23 would later see him take fourth.

Fifth place went to Jenny Rankin with Barry O’Connor’s Gentleman-Time. Kilkenny’s Vincent Byrne took sixth place with the Michael Hayden and Paul O’Shea-owned Ganturano.