Ballinasloe proved to be a happy hunting ground for Captain Geoff Curran, as he won the TRM/HSI New Heights Champion Series last Sunday. Riding Hallowberry Cruz, Curran was one of five double clears in the 16 way jump-off, in a time of 41.73 seconds.

NEW PARTNERSHIP

This was the second good result for this combination of late, having taken the runner-up spot in the Balmoral Grand Prix. Curran took over the ride on the stallion in April this year from Shane Breen. Prior to this Alexander Butler successfuly campaigned the stallion.

Bred by his owner Caroline Byrne from Wicklow, Hallowberry Cruz is a 12-year-old Traditional Irish bred stallion, by Cruising and out of the Clover Hill sired Calcutta Clover.

Byrne and the Minister for Defence took home the winning owner prize and Barry Keogh was crowned winning groom.

Curran also took the runner-up place with Shannondale Rahona. This 12-year-old mare by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan and out of the Cavalier Royale sired dam Cavalier Hill, bred by Monaghan’s Peter Rice, finished less than a second behind Hallowberry Cruz.

Delighted with the win, Curran said: “Both horses are very different to ride, but they handled the challenge well. I had set the time to beat with Shannondale Rahona and basically I took the same lines with Hallowberry Cruz. The stallion is just a bit quicker and the arena suited him. I knew that last fence was catching a few out, so I rode it with caution. Thankfully it paid off. I hope to have both horses at Mullingar next weekend and then I will be going to Hickstead.”

Nicholas Butler finished in third, with Liam O’Meara fourth on Russel Style. Francis Connors and Erne Ladygoldilocks were the last of the double clears, taking fifth.

SJI NATIONAL GRAND PRIX

Tipperary’s Greg Broderick continued his winning streak as he took the Show Jumping Ireland National Grand Prix round at Ballinasloe on Saturday. Riding Dabelle, he lodged the winning round, clear in 42.20 seconds, and took home the winner’s share in the €5,000 Devenish and Rumbles Catering-sponsored class.

A new mount to Broderick this year, the nine-year-old mare Dabelle is by Nabab de Reve and out of the Chin Chin-sired dam, Ta Belle Van Sombeke. She had previously been campaigned up to 1.40m level by German rider Theresa Kamps. Broderick also claimed fourth place with Delight M-G C De Leuze.

Jake Hunter was hot on Broderick’s heels with the 12-year-old stallion Chiricco 2 and finished in second. Hunter, who is based with the Duffy family, moved to Ireland in 2014 after meeting Michael Duffy in the Youth Olympic Games in China.

IMPRESSIVE CAREER

At the age of 21, Hunter has already had an impressive career. He represented Australia at the FEI Children’s International Jumping Competition Final in Colombia, where he was one of the youngest competitors and finished ninth. In 2012, he took the Australian Junior Showjumping Champion title, exactly 30 years after his mother. In 2014, he won a Bronze Medal at the Youth Olympic Games.

Tim MacDonagh slotted into third with the eight-year-old gelding Hollypark Galloway. Bred by John McCann, Hollypark Galloway is by Castlelawn Galloway and out of Whitestown Diamond. McCann has four other offspring registered by the dam. A half-sister, by Touchdown (Gelvins Touch), is competing on the international circuit up to CSI4* level with Dermott Lennon.