THE penultimate leg of the Gain Alltech Autumn Grand Prix Series took place last Saturday at Wexford Equestrian and, once again, young riders dominated the line-up, taking three of the top six placings in the €4,000 class. Wexford Equestrian pulled out all the stops with an overall prize fund of almost €7,000 and a new set of aluminium show jumps, designed by Pat Peare. The course of fences included tulips, chess pieces, multi-coloured horses, lighthouses and playing cards to name but a few.

Leading the victory lap was Leinster young rider James Brennan. Riding MHS Drops of Jupiter, he lodged a clear in a time of 32.82 seconds. This combination has only got stronger and proof of this is that the pairing took third place in the same Grand Prix 12 months prior. This nine-year-old mare is owned by Sinead Brennan and was bred by Thomas Brennan. She is by Luidam and is out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam Gowran.

A field of 34 went to post in this 1.35m class and, from those, 13 booked their place in the timed round. A further three combinations missed their place against the clock when incurring a single time fault.

Following a good weekend in Millstreet, where they finished third in the final Grand Prix, Jenny Connors returned to the line-up, this time to claim the runner-up spot with Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, coming home with nothing to add in 33.96. Owned by Francis, Jenny and Kate Connors and bred by John Warner, the 11-year-old is by Dondoctro Ryal K and is out of the Ars Vivendi-sired dam, Carrigshawn Vendi.

Young rider Billy Sinnott answered all the questions with Macgyver in a time of 35.80 for third place. This nine-year-old gelding was bred by Andrew Ramsey and is by Golden Dream and out of the Libero H-sired dam, Julia Des Brumes. This combination has jumped up to 1.50m level and finished just outside the top six in the Premier Series in Cavan after delivering a double clear in the summer show. The have also been placed at National Grand Prix level on more than one occasion.

Following up

Winner of the Grand Prix qualifier and final Grand Prix in Millstreet, Daisy McNamara added to her record, taking fourth with Caspetito Z in a time of 36.85. Owned by Martha McNamara, the 13-year-old gelding is by Cassio Vh Sonnishof and is out of the Hors La Loi II-mare Zaire.

A clear from Niamh O’Connor Barry and her own Drumiller Vegas in 36.98 saw them take fifth place.

This 11-year-old Cardento gelding was bred by Paul Dillon out of the Rockhill Clover-sired dam Meabhs Clover. Last month, the combination finished fifth in the 1.40m Grand Prix in Cavan.

Gemma Phelan and Vicarstown completed the top six line-up when they kept all the poles in the cups in a time of 37.02. Owned by Beechfield Stables Ltd, this nine-year-old stallion is by Luidam out of the Darco-sired mare Flower E.

Collecting the prize for the highest-placed seven/eight-year-old was the mount of junior European champion Jack Kent, Castlefield Alice, when they finished just outside the top 10 with one on the ground. Owned by Racecourse Farm Ltd, the mare is by Conthargos and out of the Chacco-Blue-sired dam Chacca Rouge.