LOCAL rider Lauren Adams (17) proved to be a popular winner of the Gain Alltech and SJI Grand Prix in Wexford last Saturday. Riding Gary Adam’s Caddie Z, the junior rider delivered the winning round in 38.43 seconds.

Speaking afterwards, Adams said: “We bought Caddie just before Dublin last year and she has been a very clever and consistent mare for us. It’s tricky at the moment to manage horses and the Leaving Certificate, as my teachers keep giving me loads of tests!

“I’m lucky to have a good team behind me, with my mum keeping the horses fit while I’m in school and I’ve been getting extra training down at Ballypatrick Stables with Brian Cassidy as well. Brian keeps things very simple, which is great for Caddie because she is simple to train and doesn’t like complicated exercises. With her it’s all about containing her power and keeping her obedient. I was delighted with how well Caddie rode and jumped for me down in Wexford. Orla and Pat always put on a great show and it’s a lovely facility,” the winner added.

This 10-year-old Zangersheide mare is by Cicero Z out of the Diamant De Semilly mare Orane Du Noyer. The combination has clocked up a series of good results, which include qualifying for the 2025 Dublin Horse Show in the Young Rider division (1.35-1.40m). They also won the Connolly’s Redmills Munster Grand Prix in Maryville in July. On the European circuit, they were part of the winning Junior Nations Cup team at Compiègne (FRA). They were also part of the team that finished second in the Nations Cup in Opglabbeek CSIOJ-NC-Y. At the same show, they finished sixth in the 1.40m Grand Prix.

Decent prize fund

With a prize fund of €4,000 up for grabs in the feature class, 34 combinations took to the arena, with seven advancing to the second round. Young riders led the way, securing five of the top six placings. Throughout the day, both young riders and young horses were prominent across the results, while in the lower grade classes, amateur riders featured strongly in the line-ups.

Fellow junior rider Alanna Fagan and the eight-year-old stallion Billy Hastings (Cevin Z x Andiamo Z), owned by her father Robert, followed closely behind Adams, coming home with nothing to add in 40.08 to secure second place.

Young rider James Brennan and MHS Drops of Jupiter was the only other double clear in 42.90 for third place. Owned by Sinead Brennan and bred by Thomas Brennan, the eight-year-old mare is by Luidam out of the Cavalier Royale-sired Gowran Lady. This combination had top 10 placings at Millstreet CSI2* and Mullingar CSI2* this year.

Young rider Max Foley put in a good time with Marion Hughes’ seven-year-old HHS Kingston, clocking 40.57, but it came at a price as he had one on the ground for eventual fourth. This seven-year-old home-bred gelding is by Obrigado Van Overis out of the Luidam mare HHS Tiffany. The pair have been consistently placed in 1.35m and aged classes.

Gemma Phelan also proved out of luck when she crossed the line carrying four faults aboard Thomas Hyland’s eight-year-old mare Greenacres Cicero (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Cavalier Royale), bred by Michael Callery, in a time of 42.30 for fifth place.

Sixth place belonged to Leinster young rider Anna White and SBH Diamond In the Rough, when they had one on the ground in 43.21. Bred by John Kearney and owned by Feargal White, the 11-year-old mare is by Diamond Roller out of the Metropole mare Zalsa. The mare was campaigned previously by her former owner, Barry Griffin, up to 1.35m level.

Paddy O’Donnell opted for the safer routes with Alberta Capital Limited Conway’s eight-year-old gelding Castleconnell Candy Man (Sligo Candy Boy x Mermus R), but the Waterford rider crossed the line with four faults in 48.65 for seventh place.

Home-bred winner

The earlier 1.20m class saw 62 combinations battle it out for €2,000 prize fund and 22 of those delivered double clears. Taking the win was Gemma Phelan on the Suma Stud-owned and bred six-year-old Sumas Lumen, when they came home in 31.59. The winner is by Ard VDL Douglas out of the Master Imp mare Cill Mhuire Imp. Phelan added to her haul when she also took fourth with Thomas Quigley’s six-year-old Kds Flashdale Khan with a double clear in 33.57.

Gemma Phelan and Sumas Lumen won the Gain Alltech 1.20m at Wexford Equestrian \ Michael O’Brian/Horse Sport Images

Young rider Emily Moloney chased Phelan home aboard Cruising On The Ridge and a foot-perfect round in 32.59 saw her secure the runner-up spot. Lauren Adams and Caddie Z filled third place when they came home with nothing to add in 33.05. James Brennan also featured in this line-up, taking fifth with the six-year-old Mhs Zenyatta when they stopped the clock in 35.17. Fractions behind when clocking 35.18 was Jemma Kirk with her own seven-year-old Diamantino Z for sixth place.

Win for Doyle

Amateur rider Lisa Doyle was back in the winnings for another week, this time taking the TRM-sponsored 1.10m class. Riding the ever reliable Ballinaguilkey Dignified, she came home clear in 31.08. Fellow amateur rider Lorraine Younge (AA) took the runner-up spot when she kept all the poles in place in a time of 34.55 aboard her own Adieu Flight.

Young rider Alisha Vard and her own Lookout Bundaburg took third with a clear in 34.55, while amateur rider John Halley (AA) and Newtown City Lights were fractions behind in 34.74 for eventual fourth. Emily Moloney and the Marti Rudd-owned Monbeg Sapphire slotted into fifth with a clear in 37.39. Gemma Phelan and the Beechfield Stables-owned five-year-old Rossmount Clover Putte slotted into sixth (37.47).

Amateur rider Jenny Doran (AA) took the win in the SWAA Insurance Brokers 1m class, when she partnered her own Horseplay Clover Star to a clear in 32.56. Over two seconds behind was Thomas O’Shea and the Hannah Wood-owned five-year-old Corraghoe Goal in 35.05.

Shane Dalton took third place with Olivia Roycroft’s four-year-old Tytown with a clear in 36.26. Lorraine Younge (AA) and Adieu Flight accounted for fourth place with a clear in 36.62, ahead of fellow amateur rider Lorraine MacGuinness (A) and Horseware Kinmar Night (37.19). Paddy O’Donnell completed the top six with Nanina Di Brita’s four-year-old Mister Ballinacoola (40.18).