CAMRYN Clarke ended the Gain Alltech Grand Prix Series on a high note as the young rider rode to victory in the final leg at Emerald’s two-day Autumn Grand Prix Show last Sunday aboard Conto De Reve. The combination put in a very fast round in the eight-way jump-off, coming home in 37.40 seconds.

Speaking after the win, Clarke said: “It was a real good final and Emerald did a fantastic job with the show. I was last to go in the jump-off, and I was chasing Max Foley who put in a fast round ahead of me. The horse is naturally fast so I didn’t put any more pressure on him, and we just got in ahead of Max. We will be at our home show next week and then we have a break. I plan to head to Wellington, Florida in the New Year and return for the national season.”

Conto De Reve is an 11-year-old gelding by Hermes de Reve, who was bred by Noleen Kieran out of Odessa IV (Conto). Conto De Reve has been a dependable partner for Clarke in this series, claiming the round in Garranemore in October and a win in the 1.35m Grand Prix at the Cavan September Indoor Championships. Just two years ago, they formed part of the winning Junior Nations Cup team at Sentower Park.

Remembered

There was strong support for the final leg, with 51 competitors going to post over the John Doyle-designed course. Amid the excitement of the final, the atmosphere turned reflective for a moment as a minute’s silence was held in memory of Harriet Penfold, and all riders wore black armbands in her honour.

Fellow young rider Max Foley came closest to catching Clarke, coming home with nothing to add in 38.62 seconds aboard the seven-year-old HHS Arezzo. Owned and bred by Bravo Hughes, HHS Arezzo is a gelding by Luidam out of the Cavalier Royale-sired HHS Chantilly Lace. This combination has proved very successful at this level and amongst their good results is a win in the RDS qualifier at Mullingar.

John McEntee accounted for the next two placings in this line-up. The Co Down rider delivered his best result with the eight-year-old SJ Oblensky, crossing the line with nothing to add in 42.96 seconds for third place. Owned and bred by Sean Jordan, this gelding is by Cornet Oblensky out of the Saracen Hill-sired Right Direction.

McEntee also kept the poles in place with the Dermott Lennon and Gerry Marron-owned For Kinmar Hero Z, stopping the clock in 43.22 for eventual fourth. Bred by Marron and Luc Henry, this nine-year-old stallion is by For Pleasure out of the Aganix Du Seigneur mare Alana Hero Z.

It was a worthwhile trip for Sven Hadley from Galway as he accounted for fifth and sixth places. Riding his own 10-year-old stallion Phenomene Bleu Vdm, he put in a very fast time, clocking 38.94, but it came at a price as he finished on four faults. Bred by Famile Bruggerman, the breeding stallion is by Diamant De Semilly out of the Nabab De Reve dam Nuance Bleue Vdm Z.

Riding Faminia Straumann’s Quantino, Hadley also finished on four faults but in a slower time of 41.77 for sixth. This 14-year-old stallion is by Quarz out of Zagora T (Coriano).

It was a busy weekend for the Kildare venue with over 500 entries over the course of the show, which included an amateur class and speed classes.