Emer Bermingham

Action in the SJI Autumn Grand Prix league moved north with two rounds taking place at the Northern Indoor Championships in Eglinton.

On Friday, victory stayed north as Tyrone rider, Peter Smyth jumped clear in 28.58 with Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick. Owned by Robin Bingham and bred by Dorothea Wilson, the nine-year-old mare is by Limmerick and out of Go Luckey (Lux Z).

Donegal rider, Simon Scott was second with Ploverfield Lilyana, clear in 28.91. Bred by Frank O’ Connor, this nine-year-old mare is by Eurocommerce Pittsburg and out of Ploverfield Lastnews (Last News).

Third place went to Liam O’ Meara and Russel Style, clear in 29.54. Frank Curran also had a quick clear round, stopping the clock in 29.66 to finish fourth with Ardragh Chekoff. Robert Harrison also jumped clear with Landlystes Rubina but in the slightly slower time of 32.38 for fifth. Simon Scott completed the line-up with Master Millar (clear in 34.96).

On Sunday, National Grand Prix Champion Liam O’ Meara added to his tally this season when he won the 1.40m Grand Prix, putting him at the top of the leaderboard on 22 points. Riding Oldtown KC, he delivered the winning round of clear in 30.41. Longford rider, Robert Harrison was second with Landlystes Rubina, clear in 31.56. This 11-year-old Danish bred mare is by Heartbeat and out of Niquinta. Katie Conlon and Ping Ball were third, when clear in 33.70. On Saturday, Conlon won the 1.30m speed with The Interpreter. Not content with the win, she also finished second in the same class with Bally Kingdom Clover.

In the 1.40m Grand Prix Richard Kerins jumped clear with Korena Byrne’s Small Change in 34.48 for eventual fourth. While Peter Smyth finished fifth with Roscrib de Ross, clear in 34.58 and Brendan Murphy and Milchem Gorgeous were clear in 35.73 for sixth place.