Defending National Grand Prix Champion, Liam O’Meara, extended his lead in this year’s league. O’Meara claimed the top prize in Charleville Show on Sunday. The show is proving to be a happy hunting ground for the Tippearay rider, this is the second year that he has taken the win in the Cork venue.

O’Meara was the fastest of six double clears in a time of 39.68 riding his own 14 year-old traditional Irish Sport Horse Mr Coolcaum. The gelding was bred by Kevin Farragher from Galway and is by Coolcaum Hill and out of the Indian Ruler sired mare, Ranch Lady. This win has helped cement O’Meara’s position on the top of the National Grand Prix leaderboard.

A gallant display from Mayo young rider, Ciaran Nallon and Zaronda 11, left them in second place in a time of 41.18. Owned by Pat Squibb, Zaronda 11 (KWPN) is a 14 year-old mare by Kojak and out of the Concorde sired mare, Pandora. Nallon took over the ride in March having been previously campaigned by British rider Jessica Hewitt. The combination have gelled well and took third place in the Grand Prix in Portmore. Nallon is aiming to qualify the mare for the RDS young rider section having narrowly missed out in a place in Barnadown.

A clear round left Kilkenny rider Vincent Byrne in third with Mr Rockefeller. Bred by Bart O’Connor, Mr Rockefeller is a 14 year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, by Ard Vdl Douglas and out of the Kings Servant sired dam, Kings Aire. Francis Connors filled the next two spots. He delivered his best round with Primo Bella Swan to finish fourth. Owned by Michael Hayden and Paul O’Shea, Primo Bella Swan (HOLST) is a nine-year-old mare, by Clearway and out of the Caretino sired mare, Ulana 11.

Connors took fifth place with Newmarket Clare Lady. Bred and owned by Billy Daly, Newmarket Clare Lady is a 10 year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, by Newmarket Jewel and out of the Cavalier Royale sired mare, Newmarket Clare. The dam has been successful for Daly, with 12 offspring registered. Her progeny have gone on to be successful both in showjumping and eventing.

Paul Beecher delivered the last of the double clears to finish sixth with Ikona V.’T Recht Eind (Deauville De La Vie x Butterfly Vd Ruitershoeve). Tallow native Beecher who is a native of Tallow, spent the start of the season on the European circuit with much success and has only recently returned to Ireland to compete on home soil.

FLAVOURS OF FINGAL

The Mervue Equine Leinster League took centre stage at the Flavours of Fingal/Fingal Harriers Horse Show in Newbridge House, Donabate. As in the previous rounds, the league attracted large numbers, with close to 150 combinations battling it out in the Joe Duffy BMW sponsored rounds.

On Saturday, the 1.35m section put riders to the test. The top three riders all kept the poles in place, but time penalties decided the placings. Wexford rider, Sophie Richards, took the win. Richards finished with just one time penalty riding Gradje O. Stacey Babes occupied the next two slots. She was fastest with BP Castlefield, when incurring two time penalties, while three time penalties with Kelly De Regor, saw her take third.

Victory in the 1.10m went to Andrew Byrne and Hunter’s Lodge Puissance. The combination had a clear round in 24.69 seconds. There was less than one second between the top three placings in the class. Jamie Lander and Castleforbes Victoria were clear in 24.73 to take second, while Laura Carrick and My Fox Lass, took third when clear in 24.86.

Young rider, Gavin Smith led the victory lap in the 1.20m division. Riding Mullinroe, he galloped home in 33.32 seconds to take home the winner’s share of €500 in the Joe Duffy sponsored class. Along with the red rosette, ha also took the leading young rider prize. Little separated the next placing as Kirsten Fynes and Oscars Peaches, who was fractions behind in 33.61, for second. Abigail Stanford wasted no time with MJM Vanity Fair and a clear in 35.34 saw her take third.