THE Wexford Equestrian two-day Grand Prix Show’s 1.35m Karlswood Stables LST class on Friday, which was supported by Friends Of Wexford EC - Semalease, Paddy O’Donnell and Thompson Sport Horses - saw 35 combinations go to post and, from those, eight double clears were delivered.
Sven Hadley has certainly been having a good run of form and this continued in Wexford, as he took three of the top six placings in this €2,000 contest. Hadley clinched victory when he delivered a clear with his own eight-year-old, Maximum Numero Too HSH, in a time of 34.21. He then took third with the Hibernia Horses-owned Carthe 7, when he put in another clear in 36.64, and then also claimed fourth place with Tom McGurk’s Kannan Contessa, when he kept all the poles in their cups in a time of 36.80.
Patrick Hickey put in a great attempt with his brother William’s seven-year-old, W.F River, but their time of 34.81 would see them take the runner-up spot. A clear from Francis Connors aboard the Martello Sporthorses-owned, Martello Chapella, in 37.08, saw them slot into fifth, ahead of Jim Donohoe and Culdearg Clover Lad, who came home with nothing to add in 38.41.
Junior win
In the Garyrichard Stud-sponsored 1.20m Karlswood Stables LST class, it was junior rider Edie Codd who claimed victory, when she partnered Hannah Wood’s eight-year-old HDI Restless to a double clear in 32.22. Master against the clock, Hadley took the runner-up place with a clear round aboard John Deegan’s Machnus Lux in a time of 36.84.
Not content with the runner-up position, he also took third with Maximum Numero Too HSH, with another clear in 37.31. Patrick Byrne was back in the ribbons, this time taking fourth with BGS Stormbreaker, clear in 37.89.
Laura Walshe also added to her tally, taking fifth with Ballinaguilkey Heritage, with a clear in 38.05. Completing the top six was Shane Kenny and Romeo vd Bisschop, when they came home with nothing to add in 40.48.
Home-bred success
The BLF Sporthorses 1.10m Karlswood Stables LST class attracted a big field, with 51 going to post in the two-phase class and it was amateur rider Laura Walshe (AA) who came out on top. Riding the home-bred Ballinagulkey Heritage, they delivered a double clear in 31.48 seconds.
Taking second place and the €100 prize for the leading young rider was Brona Keane and Krafty Krackers, with a clear in 33.55. Third place belonged to Laura’s sister, Lisa Doyle and another home-bred, Ballinaguilkey Dignified with a clear in 36.08.
Slotting into fourth was Wexford rider Patrick Byrne, who was riding another home-bred belonging to Lisa Doyle, Ballinaguilkey Zorro, clear in 38.14. Junior rider Ava Kelly and BLF Emmy took fifth with a clear in 42.67, ahead of Alex Donohoe and the six-year-old, Martello Sundance, clear in 43.54 in sixth.
1.20m
Winner of the 1.20m Mervue Equine Summer Series was Shane Kenny and Romeo Vd Bisschop, when they were fastest of 16 double clears in 35.61. Chasing Kenny home was Patrick Whelan and Chilena Blue PS, in a time of 38.19.
Third place belonged to Edie Codd and HDI Restless, in 38.72, ahead of Sophie Richards and Boleybawn Blue in 39.83 in fourth. Fifth place belonged to Ruben Foley and Ludini, in a time of 40.98, while Eoghan Fahy and Corlina Dw Z completed the line-up, crossing the line in 41.73 for sixth.
Four-year-olds
Taking victory in the four-year-old class was Meabh Bolger with her own Mistral Vert, when they were awarded 68.5 marks. Owned by Bolger and bred by Daniel Vallee, the French-bred is by Chellsini Z and out of Qualite Verte. This was the combination’s first outing.
Paddy O’Donnell took the runner-up spot with his own Lissavorra Nitro, when the judges awarded the combination 62.5 marks. Bred by John Nicholas, this gelding is by Imnotaftraid Fortuna and out of Lissavorra Triple C.
Third place went to Shaunagh Thomson aboard the Jim Doyle-bred Metalbridge Coleen on a score of 59.5. This mare is by SHS Soco Blue and out of Luxs Sky.
Michael Moran and Daytona LG Z took fourth place on 57.5 marks. This Zangersheide mare is by Diarado and is out of Comtesse Z.
Junior rider Chloe Walsh took fifth place with the Andrew Byrne-owned HL Rock N Reve, on a score of 55.5. This gelding goes back to the Hermes De Reve line on the dam side, by Comtesse Z and out of Starling.
Completing the top six line-up was Gavin Ryan on his own home-bred, Dear Bunnikins on 53.5 marks. A mare, she is by Lagans OBOS Quality and is out of Dear Robin.