DESPITE downfalls of rain, the 1.40m North Star Grand Prix saw 71 combinations battle it out for a share of the €4,000 prize fund. Even in the difficult weather conditions, only split seconds divided the top placings. Taking the win was Susan Fitzpatrick, when she guided her own Hector De Kezeg to a clear round in 37.38.

Owned by Fitzpatrick, the nine-year-old French-bred stallion is by Diamant De Semilly out of Vas Y Donc Longane. This combination has been on form of late, claiming a win at Mullingar CSI2* in the 1.40m Speed class and a third in the 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier. In June, they finished 10th in a 1.45m Two phase in Paris CSI5* GCT/GCL and 12th in the 1.45m Table A class. Fitzpatrick took over the ride in 2025 from Swiss rider Morgane Dassio.

Defending National Grand Prix Champion Francis Connors once again topped the league standings, securing the 2026 title with Carrigshawn Vendi Royal after another impressive season. The partnership finished on a total of 42 points. Camryn Clarke and Conto De Reve were Connors’ closest challengers, finishing as runners-up on 30 points, while Liam O’Meara and Cevann claimed third place on 25 points.

Speaking after the class, Connors said: “It’s always a great privilege to win the National Grand Prix league. I have won it many times, and it never gets old. There were some very consistent combinations competing in the league, so it’s never an easy one to win. It has been a great season and Carrigshawn Vendi Royal had a brilliant season.”

Carrigshawn Vendi Royal is owned by Francis, Jenny and Kate Connors. The 11-year-old mare was bred by John Warner and is by Dondoctro Ryal K and out of Carrigshawn Vendi. The mare was purchased by her current owners as a six-year-old and she has progressed through the ranks with wins at Grand Prix level. This pairing finished second in the last round at Mullingar and claimed a win in the round at Charleville, second in Maryville, fourth in Bannow and Rathangan, second in Wexford and, last week, fourth in Hollypark.

From the original starters, 24 booked their place against the clock and 15 delivered double clears.

Jessica Burke followed closely behind Fitzpatrick, with Liam Nicolas’ Fly For You, when she kept all the poles standing in a time of 37.86. This 11-year-old mare is by Quaprice Boimargot Quincy and is out of the L’arc de Triomphe-sired dam, Vedette Lande. This combination finished fifth in the Plusvital Premier Series in the round in Cavan and earlier in the month took sixth in the 1.40m international class at Millstreet CSI2*. This is a new mount for Burke, who took over the ride from English rider Skye Higgin in April.

Winner of the National Grand Prix in Cavan, Camryn Clarke and Conto De Reve added to their record when they delivered a clear in 38.17 for third. Owned by Victoria Clarke, the 13-year-old gelding is by Hermes De Reve and out of the Conto-sired dam, Odessa IV. This pairing is no stranger to success at this level with a string of good results this year, which include a win in the 1.40m in Millstreet CSI2* and a win in Mullingar CSI2* in the 1.40m two phase.

Runner-up in the round at Hollypark, Jill Greene also featured in this line-up, taking fourth with Hazel, with a clear in 39.25. Hazel is a 14-year-old mare, by Glasgow Vh Merelsnest and out of the Berlin-sired dam Bloody Mary.

Fifth place was filled by young rider Aidan O’Brien, who was riding Daniel Coyle’s Gisborne VDL. This combination kept everything standing in a time of 40.16. This 15-year-old stallion is by Zirocco Blue VDL and is out of the Goodtimes-sired dam, Alpen Roos VDL. Under the command of Daniel Coyle, Gisborne VDL competed in the international classes at the Dublin Horse Show and took a 12th-place finish in the Sport Ireland Classic. Under O’Brien’s command, he was part of the Irish young rider squad that took third in the CSIOY-NC-Y in Hagen and part of the winning team in Compiègne.

Young rider Coen Williams and Dominante Z rounded off the top six, with a clear in 40.24. Owned by Williams Sport Horses, the nine-year-old mare is by Dominator Z and is out of the Darco-sired dam, Aube Mystique De Catope. This combination was also part of the young rider team that took third in the CSIOY-NC-Y in Hagen.