THE sun came out for the Wexford Equestrian two-day Grand Prix Show last Friday and Saturday, with good numbers being recorded in classes across the schedule.

On Saturday, the Mary Barry’s and Harmony Solar 1.40m Grand Prix saw 19 combinations battle it out. In the end, the win went north, as young rider Camryn Clarke delivered the winning round of clear in 36.90 aboard Conto De Reve. This pairing has been on the mark in recent weeks, claiming victory in the 1.40m two-phase in Mullingar CSI2*. 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 will no doubt be looking to book their place at Dublin Horse Show over the next few weeks, having got to the third round in Mullingar. Last year, Clarke won the 1.25/1.30m Championship aboard Sydney PMD.

Wexford Equestrian has always proved to be a happy hunting ground for Francis Connors and it was that way again, as he took the runner-up spot. Riding Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, he kept all the poles standing in 40.30 seconds. This pairing recently finished as runners-up in the 1.35m Connolly’s Red Mills Grand Prix in Ballylawn. 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 is 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.

Liam O’Meara and his own stallion, Sir Jim Jim accounted for third, when they delivered a clear in 40.96. This 11-year-old is by Boherdale Clover and is out of the Errigal Flight-sired dam Glenaguile Flight, which O’Meara campaigned up to Grand Prix level. This line goes back to Ballinvella.

Nothing to add

Waterford’s Gemma Phelan and the seven-year-old Lance Corporal came close to catching O’Meara, coming home with nothing to add in 41.15. This gelding is owned and bred by Louise Thompson and is by Corporal VDL out of the Jai Ho-sired dam, LV-Firefly. The combination has been consistently placed in the DAFM classes this year and claimed sixth place in the TRM Grand Prix in Warrington.

Little divided the next placing as Sophie Richards and the Maurice Cousins-owned Monbeg Balou crossed the line clear in 41.24. This nine-year-old gelding was bred by Brendan Doyle and is by Balou Du Rouet and out of the Zacharov TN-sired dam, ESI Balou.

Completing the top six was young rider, Ciaran Foley and Roger De Mariposa, with a clear in 41.59. Bred by Koen and Alexander De Brabander and owned by Thomas Foley, the nine-year-old Belgian warmblood is by Vegabond De La Pomme and is out of the Air Jordan-sired dam, Angela Z. This was the first Grand Prix for this combination, with Foley taking over the reins from Sean Monaghan and before this Susan Fitzpatrick.