GLENAMADDY in Co Galway played host to the fourth round of the Connaught leagues last Saturday, with 37 going to post in the Derryronane Stud 1.35m Connaught ShowJumping Grand Prix. It was another good week for Stephen Gibbons, as he clinched another victory with Cassius Z, having won the week before in Headford. Gibbons also won in the round at Duffy’s aboard Ceide Candy Heart.

Without a doubt, it has been a great month for Gibbons, as he was crowned leading young rider at Mullingar CSI2*. He and Cassius Z put in a super performance at Mullingar, claiming two wins and a third-place finish. Cassius Z is a 15-year-old stallion by Canabis Z and out of Ginger Sari.

In what was an exciting 12-way jump-off, Gibbons lodged the winning round when clear in 37.15 seconds. Not content to just take the win, Gibbons also took third place with the eight-year-old Ceide Candy Heart, with a clear round in 38.52. Owned by Jane Gibbons and bred by Mary Walsh, this gelding is by Garryduff Jar Of Hearts and is out of the Sligo Candy Boy dam, Ceide Heather Honey.

Separating Gibbons’ placings was Cian Harrison and his own eight-year-old, Lackaghmore Zirocco, with a clear in 38.31. This gelding is by Zirocco Blue and out of the Cormint-sired dam, Bagirah. The combination was unlucky at the round at Duffy’s, as they delivered a double clear round, but finished just outside the top six.

Little divided the placings, as Pataire Crawford and Jackstar galloped home with nothing to add in 38.71. Jackstar is a KWPN gelding by Zavall and is out of the Sheraton-sired dam, Zimalia. In April, the pairing won the 1.35m class at Cavan’s three-day Horse Show and also finished sixth in the speed class.

Young rider Sarah Fitzgerald and Oh So Special accounted for fifth, when the eight-year-old crossed the line with nothing to add in 39.76. Owned by Annette Fitzgerald, the gelding is by I’m a Special De Muze and is out of Otesse Rouge. The combination has proved consistent at 1.35m level.

Junior rider Cian McMunn and Oberon Van’t Lohof completed the top six, with a clear in 40.04. Owned by Breda McMunn, the 12-year-old stallion is by Eldorado van de Zeshoek and is out of the Winningmood Van De Arenberg-sired dam, Ditto. This combination will be heading to the Dublin Horse Show, having won the 1.35/1.40m qualifier in Mullingar.

Winning performance

Following a great show in Wexford Equestrian the day before, Sven Hadley returned to the winner’s enclosure to lead the victory lap in the Premier Performance 1.20m class. Riding HSH Harper Du Seigneur, he delivered the winning round of clear in 32.74 seconds. Shane Goggins, who has also featured strongly in the Connaught Leagues, was back, this time taking second with Clooncalagy Bobby, delivering a clear in 33.18. Third place belonged to Derek Shaw and VMS Dallance Cruise, when they kept the poles in place in 33.79. Last week’s winners, Zaid Ali Raad and BE Flygold accounted for fourth place, with a clear in 34.37. A clear from Gabriel Slattery aboard John Byrne’s Tangelos Touch in 34.67 saw them take fifth, while in sixth place was Cora Sharkey and Lisboy Mermus, clear in 35.03.

1.10m

Claiming the 1.10m section was amateur rider Tara Brandon (AA), when she was the fastest of 31 double clears in 30.39. Derek Shaw and VMS Dallance Cruise took the runner-up spot, when they followed closely behind in 30.58. Orla Dixon and Ravens Mister Rolo took third, clocking 30.75, while in fourth was Katie Nallon and the Bob Sweeney-owned Aganix Summer Tokyo Drift, in a time of 31.44. Slotting into fifth was Ava Finn and Dakota X with a clear in 31.55. Orla Dixon added to her tally, claiming sixth with Prada Royale when stopping the clock in 32.30.

Amateur battle

The amateur class saw 18 combinations battle it out and, in the end, just four double clears were delivered in the seven-way jump-off. Taking the win was Karen Boylan (A) and GRC Blue Ice, when they stopped the clock in 37.87. Claiming the runner-up spot was Caroline Devine (A) and Captain Devine, in 38.61, while in third was Marie-Claire Rogers (A) and Eris M2S, in 39.68. Accounting for eventual fourth was Breda Perrin (A) and LKS Bianca in 40.08, ahead of Liam Hennessy (A) and Leanorth Grey Matter, who finished as the fastest four-faulter in 39.40. Rounding off the top six was Rachel Mahon (A) and Stralongford Christine, who also had one down in 42.53.