It was a busy weekend in national show jumping circuit, with both the north and south of the country hosting a leg of National Grand Prix league.

In Omagh on Saturday, Alexander Butler won the TRM/HSI New Heights Champion Series at Omagh. Riding Eldorado (KWPN), he lodged a double clear in a time of 33.69 seconds.

Owned by James Egan, the nine-year-old gelding is by Zapatero VDL and out of the Kojak sired dam, Pimernel. The combination finished sixth in their first round of the series in Ballinasloe. Earlier in the year they were in action on the European circuit, competing in Opglabbeek and Arezzo CSI3*. In June, they won the Grand Prix in Mullingar CSI2*.

Darragh Ryan added to his tally when he partnered Rincoola Rua into second place. Owned by Alexander Butler, Rincoola Rua is an 11-year-old mare by Diamant de Semilly and out of Rincoola Abu.

Dermott Lennon and the Irish Sport Horse MJM Pursuit also delivered a foot perfect performance, but was fractions off Ryan’s time of 35.01. Bred by Cyril Ferguson and now owned by MJM (IOM) Holdings Limited. This nine-year-old mare is by Aldato (KWPN) and out of a Limmerick mare, Mountain Mist. Slotting into fourth place, was Jake Hunter and the Sandra Duffy-owned Cento Blue. Hunter was named as the top placed young rider and received a €100 TRI Equestrian voucher.

Claiming fifth place was Tholm Keane and BMH Big Time (Luidam x Majestic Cavalier). The nine-year-old stallion was bred by Paula Abbey and is now owned by James Buckley and Caroline Teltsch. A full brother, BMH Showtime, bred by Cara Mcloughlin, was campaigned on the national and international circuit up to Grand Prix level by Edward Doyle. Completing the top six line-up, was Rebecca McGoldrick, who was riding her own Fleur IV (Chatman x Marco Mara).

National Grand Prix Omagh

On Friday in Omagh, as part of the TRM/HSI New Heights Premier Series, the National Grand Prix took centre stage. A number of local sponsors funded the class, including The Silverbirch Hotel, Dillon Bass Ltd and Powers Whiskey. Defending champion Liam O’Meara increased his lead in this year’s standings lodging a clear round in 42.22 seconds with Mr. Coolcaum to win the class.

Of the 40 starters there were six double clears. John Floody and HTS Blackrock, were fractions behind in 42.61 to finish second ahead of Peter Smyth and CHS Krooze in 42.62. In fourth was Emily Turkington and Jay Gatsby (ISH). The eight-year-old gelding, bred and owned by Cormac McKay from Tyrone, is by Gatsby and out of a Loughries Quiet Man sired mare, Tullydraw Lady.

Philip Gaw finished fifth with Ardnacashel Coovella. This nine-year-old mare is by Luidam and out of a Harlequin Du Carel sired dam, Prominence. She was bred by Janice Reddy and is owned by Derek Gaw. Last year, Reddy registered a full brother and has two others from the mare.

Peter Smyth and Roscrib de Ross filled sixth place. Bred by David Henry and owned by William Todd, Roscrib de Ross is an eleven-year-old gelding, by Varo and out of the Flagmount King sired dam, Diamond Clover Betty.

Cork Summer Show

On Sunday, Liam O’ Meara extended his lead in the National Grand Prix series when he took his second win of the weekend at Cork Summer Show. Riding Mr Coolcaum he clocked the winning round of clear in 33.75 seconds.

Tim MacDonagh finished a close second with Tick Tock Tina. Bred by Brendan Noone from Galway and owned by Jackie Lee, the 11-year-old gelding is by Beowulf and out of the Diamond lad sired Coevers Diamonds Sister. Tick Tock Tina is a half-brother to Diamonds for Douglas (Ard VDL Douglas x Covers Diamonds Sister) who has had was campaigned on the International circuit by Alexander Butler and before this Joan Greene.

Winner of the Munster Grand Prix the day before, Sven Hadley and Sumas Taloubet were back in the ribbons, claiming third. In fourth place was Darragh Ryan and his own Oasis Spirit. Bred by Siobhan O’Sullivan this eight-year-old mare is by Cobra and out of the Lux Z sire dam, Ballycaple Merry Breeze. Shane Goggins and Wrangler 11 took fifth ahead of Francis Connors and Newmarket Clare Lady.