CAVAN’S Camryn Clarke put another win on the board in the Premier Performance National Grand Prix last Sunday. Riding Conto De Reve, owned by his mother Victoria, he was the fastest of just two double clears in a time of 34.98 seconds.

This duo had won the round at the Mullingar Summer Horse Championships earlier in the month. The 11-year-old Hermes de Reve gelding was bred by Noleen Kieran out of Odessa IV (KWPN) by Conto. Conto De Reve has been a dependable partner for Clarke and just two years ago they were part of the winning Junior Nations Cup team at Sentower.

Calculated performance

Just 20 combinations went to post and, from those, seven booked their place against the clock. The second double clear was delivered by Shane O’Reilly and the eight-year-old BWE Special Rose, when they put in a calculated performance. Second to go, O’Reilly started well as he took the inside line to the oxer at fence eight. He took a longer line to the double, but made up the pace to the last, coming home in 38.85 to take the lead and eventually second place.

Owned and bred by Brian McConville, this mare is by I’m Special De Muze and is out of the Camilo De Haar Z-sired Kilcorig Rose. This combination finished third in the 1.35m Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour at the Flavours of Fingal show.

First to go against the clock, young rider Alex Finney put in a very fast round with her mother Jean’s Newberry Cleverleaf, but four faults at the oxer just after the double in a time of 35.51 saw them fill third place. Bred by Simone Schmid, the 12-year gelding is by Non-Stop out of the Gold De Becourt mare Meave De Kergane.

Jonathan Smyth and Crystal Graf also had four faults at the oxer at 12, but a slower time of 36.03 saw them take fourth place. Owned and bred by Anthony Doherty, the gelding is by Lux Z out of Lady Graf (Graf Magna).

Shane O’Reilly took another share of the prize fund when he knocked the penultimate vertical with Lancer Luck (Castleforbes Lord Lancer x Coevers Diamond Boy) in a time of 36.23 for fifth place. The 11-year-old is owned by Brian McConville and bred by Thomas Whelan.

Rounding up the top six was Rachel Chapman aboard her own Os Pouilly Fusse (Peppermill x Perigueux) when they had four faults at the oxer after the double and came home in 47.38.

Clarke and Conto de Reve are now up to second place on the leaderboard with 20 points, behind Francis Connors and Carrigshawn Vendi Royal (31 points) ahead of this weekend’s final round at the Irish Breeders’ Classic.

1.30m

Winner of the 1.30m was young rider Cara McFadden and the seven-year-old Orville Jack, when they were the fastest of six double clears in 34.67. Lee Grifferty and Supreme Intent took the runner-up spot when clear in 35.57.

Aoife Owens and Omard Connery slotted into third when clear in 37.91, ahead of Ausra Clarke and Janco-V who kept all the poles in place in 42.41. Jonathan Smyth added to his takings when he partnered Louieland to a clear in 43.33 for fifth, while in sixth was Niamh O’Connor Barry and Greenannanstown Silver Service (46.56).