Tipperary’s Seamus Hayes ended his summer season on a winning note as he took the honours in the final round of the Show Jumping Ireland National Grand Prix league.

Riding Kavalli Di Magico he lodged the winning round of clear in 41.54 seconds. Owned by the Hayes’ and bred by Daniel, David and Davinia Smet, Kavalli Di Magico is a seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of the Flamenco de Semilly-sired Wamenco. Speaking after the win, Hayes said; “I was delighted with how the horse jumped today. I bought him as a five-year-old from Belgium and I have produced him slowly. I bought him because I always liked the sire Emerald Van’t Ruytershof.

“I felt that he had great natural ability and I always said if some of his progeny came my way I would purchase it. He is a very easy going horse and just switches on in the ring. For me, he has the same character as the sire. My aim was to qualify him for Dublin this year and he did that.

“He has been very consistent and jumped clear every day in Dublin.

“I also took him to Valencia and he was very good taking two wins in the young horse classes.”

Hayes may have took the final win, but Liam O’ Meara added more points to his tally as he finished fastest of the four faulters in 39.89 for fifth place with his own Mr Coolcaum (Coolcaum Hill x Ranch Lady).

O’MEARA

unbeatable

O’ Meara became unbeatable much earlier in the league, but in typical O’Meara fashion he was looking to add one more victory to his impressive record.

The Tipperary rider dominated the league, finishing on a total of 92 points, double the points of his closest rival, Francis Connors.

In total O’ Meara had clocked up seven wins, two runner-up places and two minor placings.

Mr Coolcaum clocked up four of those wins and finished as leading horse, while his second horse, Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight (Jacomar x Curraghraigue Errigal) was responsible for three of the wins.

O’ Meara said; “ It has been a great season for me and all the horses jumped very well, both the younger and more mature horses. It is really a family affair and I would like to thank all of my family for their help and support. It’s a victory for all of us and all had a role to play.”

SECOND PLACE SHOWDOWN

It was a good turn-out for the final round of the series with 49 declaring and of those 16 took on the James Tarrant designed course.

Taking second place were Louis Delplace and Lowhill Showdown when delivering a clear in 44 seconds.

Bred by Shane Walsh and owned by Martin Walsh, Lowhill Showdown (ISH) is an eight-year-old gelding by Carrick Diamond Lad out of the Touchdown-sired mare Lowhill Cruisedown.

Shane Walsh has registered nine offspring from the dam, off which eight are by Carrick Diamond Lad and the oldest progeny is by Master Imp.

In third place was local rider Alan O’Regan riding Freedam.

Bred by Ronan Tynan and now owned by Frances O’Regan, Freedam is an eight-year-old gelding by Guidam out of the Furisto-sired mare, Warrenstown Betty.

Tynan has registered six offspring from this mare and on three occasions has crossed the mare with his own stallion Warrenstown You which is back on the circuit with Tholm Keane this year.

Freedam’s half sister by Warrenstown You Two is currently competing on the eventing circles with James O’Haire at CCI3* level.

Only recently the pairing also finished seventh at Millstreet international.