THE Connaught league kicked off last Monday with large numbers flocking to Galway Equestrian to support this regional league. As in previous years, there was a strong turnout for the Derryronane Stud-sponsored 1.35m class, with 40 combinations taking it on.

A good supporter of his regional league, Shane Goggins claimed the opening round, when he partnered Jack Galey’s Boleybawn Cayman to a clear in 42.19. Bred by Ronan Rothwell, the 14-year-old gelding is by Cassidee and out of the Ard VDL Douglas-sired dam, Boleybawn Riverto.

From the original starters, 10 booked their place against the clock and four double clears were delivered. Last year’s champion, Sven Hadley, came closest to catching the winner aboard Tom McGurk’s home-bred Kannan Contessa, but their time of 45.70 proved good enough for second.

Shane Goggins took another share of the €3,000 prize fund, when he delivered another clear in 47.96 with Gerard Lynch’s eight-year-old home-bred, LPF Dream of Hope. This eight-year-old mare is by Asti Spumante and out of the Duca Di Busted-sired dam, The Grey Duchess. This combination also featured in the line-up in Millstreet last week.

Eventer Cathal Daniels played it safe with CSF Andrew and it paid dividends, as he lodged a clear in 53.81 for eventual fourth. This was the first outing for this pairing, with the gelding being previously campaigned by John McEntee. Daniels also took sixth place with Satelittenflieger K, when he crossed the line with four faults in 44.52. Another new combination, the 11-year-old gelding is by Stolzenberg.

Dividing Daniels’ placings was Aoife McCabe, who had one on the ground with Heritage Enigma in a time of 43.85. Bred by Anne-Marie O’Gorman, the 11-year-old mare is by Eldorado Van De Zeshoek.

Premier Performance 1.20m

The Premier Performance 1.20m class attracted the largest number of competitors, with 51 combinations battling it out. Taking the win in this two-phase class was recently crowned Spring Tour champion, Sven Hadley, when he delivered a clear in 34.16 with HSH Harper Du Seigneur. Riding under the Duffy’s umbrella, Cathal Daniels was back in the line-up, this time taking second with Madame B, with a clear in 35.78. Third place belonged to Zaid Ali Raad and B.E Flygold, with a clear in 36.19. Ali Raad also accounted for fifth place, when he delivered a clear with the Hadley Sporthorses-owned Canchouetta PS, with a clear in 37.79. Shane Goggins also collected in this class, as he partnered his own Clooncalagy Bobby to a clear in 37.22 for fourth place. Rounding off the top six, was James Derwin and Newmarket Victor, with a clear in 38.74.

Flexineb 1.10m

Winner of the 1.10m class was young rider Finn Reynolds and the eight-year-old Technical Tom, which was bred in Galway Equestrian. The partnership left their rivals behind when they left everything standing in a time of 33.36. Amateur rider Tara Brandon (AA) delivered a clear with BEC Phoenix in a time of 34.54 for second place. Zaid Ali Raad and BE Flygold also took a place in this line-up, coming home clear in 34.68 for eventual third. A clear from Nadine Carey and Sacre Bleu in 36.83 saw them take fourth, ahead of Liam Lynskey and his own eight-year-old, Jazmine Blue, in fifth with a clear in 36.94. Derek Shaw and VMS Dallance Cruise, were less than a second behind in a time of 37.23 for sixth place.

Amateur League

In the Connaught Showjumping amateur league, just two double clears were delivered in the class and fastest of those was from Shauna Wilson (A) and her own Omard Hannah in a time of 41.45. Aoileann Nic An Iomaire (AA) went for the safer lines with Kingsday Eurohill, and it paid off as they kept the poles in place in 58.88. Fastest of the four-faulters in the second round in 32.02 was Katy Nolan (A) and I’m A Quality Clover for third place.