ACTION in the Connaught leagues continued last weekend, with Tubberbride in Sligo playing host to the horse leagues and Enniscrone hosting the pony leagues.

In Tubberbride, there were good entries across the four leagues. The feature event, the 1.35m Derryronane Stud Connaught Show jumping Grand Prix on this occasion was sponsored by Gain Horse Feeds and saw 38 combinations battle it out.

Taking the win was junior rider Cian McMunn and Lisboy Emerald, when he was fastest of nine double clears in 33.58 seconds. Bred by Michael McDonagh, this 12-year-old gelding is by Emerald Vant Ruytershof and is out of the Lux Z-sired dam, Hollypark Lux Alright.

Speaking after the win, McMunn said: “I am delighted with the win. We won the Grand Prix last year here and also qualified for the young rider 1.40m last year, so he is very consistent. He is naturally fast and quick in the turns. I was good from one into the turn back at two. I then got a good turn to the double and to the second last vertical. I galloped to the last, which paid off. I definitely made up the time in the second part of the course.

“My second horse, Bellevue Celestial, is owned by my sister. She has a good few ponies at the moment, so I said I would campaign her for a while. I was first to go with her, so I got to have a look at the course, which helped.”

Not content with the win, he also took the runner-up place with Bellevue Celestial, when coming home in 34.49. Bred by Ruth Loney, the 11-year-old mare is by Luidam and is out of the Limmerick-sired dam, Bellevue Bird Of Paradise.

Triple-handed in the class, McMunn also delivered a clear with KEC Klassique, but their time of 52.86 saw them finish in ninth.

Third place was occupied by Katie Nallon and MVS Celtic Emperor, when they were fractions behind in a time of 34.87. Owned and bred by Seamus Heverin, the nine-year-old gelding is by Celtic Hero Z and is out of the Lux Z-sired dam, Vitae Lux.

Pataire Crawford and her own Jackstar accounted for fourth place, crossing the line in 35.43. This is the second fourth-place finish for this combination in this league, taking fourth in the round at Glenmaddy. The 12-year-old gelding is by Zavall and is out of the Sheraton-sired dam, Zimalia.

A clear from Orla Dixon and Castlelawn Lux Special in 39.43 saw them take fifth place. This 10-year-old gelding was bred by Michael John Morris and is by Castlelawn Captain Junior and out of the Je T’Aime Flamenco-sired dam, Lux Flamenco.

Junior rider Conrad Sweeney and Monty Python De L’Amite, rounded off the top six, coming home in 41.67. This 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding is by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof and is out of the Mr Blue-sired dam, Dutch.