NIAMH McEvoy capped an extraordinary summer season in style when crowned Irish national show jumping champion at the Irish Breeders’ Classic last Saturday. The young rider dominated the Plusvital Premier Series, remarkably winning all but one of the seven rounds. She won the first round with Rock Warrior, the third and fourth leg with Flora Du Mesnil, and the second, penultimate and final leg with Olympic GL FVD.
“It has been a great year and what a way to top it off,” McEvoy said after her final victory.
“I have always wanted to win the National Championship. Two years ago, I came second to Mikey Pender and that made me want it even more. All the horses have performed so well and I am delighted for all the owners and thank them for allowing me to ride their animals.
“I would like to thank my groom Lisa Bushaway for all her help and I was delighted she won the leading groom prize, as she really deserves it. I would also like to thank the team at Ballypatrick,” added McEvoy, who won on a total of 37 points with the 11-year-old gelding and finished second in the overall league with Flora Du Mesnil (28 points).
“I am now taking a week off and the plan will be Lanaken and then a trip to Europe. Hopefully, we will also go back to America towards the end of the year.”
Thrilling final round
The stage was set for what was an exciting Plusvital Premier Series finale in the Irish Horse Board Arena at Barnadown where, despite biblical rain over the course of the week, the ground held up perfectly. Some 44 top combinations battled it out in the €15,000 class on Saturday afternoon to see who would be crowned the national champion.
Ending the season as she started, on a high note, McEvoy took the honours with Olympic GL FVD and took third place with Flora Du Mesnil. Owned by Keith Ennis, the winner is an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Galisco Van Paemel, who McEvoy has been riding since May 2024.
Flora Du Mesnil (Copin Van De Broy x Echogene Lat) is a newer recruit to her string at Greg Broderick’s Ballypatrick Stables and is owned by Broderick’s GBBS International. Winner of the five-star Dublin Stakes at the Dublin Horse Show last month, this pair came into the final round as one of the favourites.
A total of eight contested the timed round and first to take it on was Clem McMahon with the Hilton Farm-owned eight-year-old Carneyhaugh Unison. The pair faulted at the second fence, but made an impressive recovery and crossed the line carrying four faults in 42.77 to finish in eighth place. Bred by Patrick Breen, the mare is by Cornet Obolensky out of Carneyhaugh Allegro.
Mikey Pender proved that the time could be beaten as he came home in a time of 34.04 with HHS Los Angeles, but he faulted at the penultimate fence and, in the end, had to settle for fourth place. Bred by Marion Hughes, this 11-year-old mare is by Le Roi out of the Cavalier Royale mare China Cavalier. This combination finished as runner-up in the Sport Ireland Classic at the Dublin Horse Show.
Next up, young rider Rhys Williams and the eight-year-old Ulex Jt Z faulted at the first fence and after that the kept all the poles standing, coming home in 40.66 for eventual sixth. Owned by Williams Sport Horses, this eight-year-old gelding is by Untouchable 27 out of the Plot Blue dam Prada Jt Z.
Conor McMahon and Sea Shanghai were next to take it on and he too faulted at the first fence - a vertical. The combination didn’t put a foot wrong for the remainder of the course to finish in 41.23 for seventh place. Owned by James and John Meade, the nine-year-old gelding is by Christian out of Top Class (Top Of the World).
Standard
All eyes were on next to go, Niamh McEvoy and Flora Du Mesnil, and they delivered the first clear of the jump-off in 40.53 to set the standard for the remaining few.
Jonathan Smyth had his eye on the win as he took it on with Mulvin Lui, but a tight turn back to the penultimate oxer resulted in four faults and a time of 40.17 eventually proved good enough for fifth place. Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig own the 15-year-old gelding by Luidam.
Ethen Aherne put in a great attempt with Dermot Walsh’s LVS Goldrush, delivering the second clear of the class in 38.59, which saw him temporarily take the lead and eventually finish in the runner-up spot. Bred by Heritage Bloodstock, the nine-year-old gelding is by Stakkato Gold out of Arcadia Lvs Z (Arko III).
Last to go, McEvoy had one last chance to take the win with Olympic GL FVD. She started off strongly and got a great turn from the oxer at seven to the double. A tight turn back to the penultimate oxer and on to the last saw her shave fractions off Aherne’s time, clocking 37.88 to take the win and €4,500 prize money.
Plusvital Premier Series final results
1 Niamh McEvoy Olympic ‘GL’ ‘FVD’ 37
2 Niamh McEvoy Flora Du Mesnil 28
3 Susan Fitzpatrick Valisco PS 25
4 Cathal Daniels Cappog Tomy 23
5 Ethen Ahearne VS Goldrush H 17