VETERAN Harry Marshall once again proved the wonderful diversity of the sport of show jumping when he saw off stiff competition from two of Ireland’s top young riders to win the €2,000 1.35m Cavan Grand Prix last Sunday.

Riding his own 10-year-old mare Tango E.T. (Cornet Obolensky x Laughton’s Flight) the Northerner proved best of the 53-rider strong class to secure the victory. Fifteen combinations produced a clear first round to progress to the jump-off against the clock, just six of these recorded a double clear.

The first double clear came from Shane McCloskey riding his own HHS Emerald (Emerald Van’T Ruytershof x Acorado), bred by Marion Hughes. He broke the finish beams in a time of 42.53 for eventual sixth place.

Just before McCloskey’s round, Harry’s daughter-in-law Savannah Marshall jumped her round aboard Flambeau. Having recently returned to the saddle after a long lay off through injury, she unfortunately had a fall but thankfully was okay and will, no doubt, be back for another try soon.

Ninth to have a go was Marshall. He guided Tango E.T. to an impressive second clear, recording a time of 35.53 for the win.

Catriona Fallon and Freddy Bear then matched with their fault-free round in 43.70 for fifth place. Emma McEntee, riding her father John’s Dutch-bred gelding Hobalo, also left all the poles in place in 37.70 for fourth.

Camryn Clarke and Conto de Reve (Hermes De Reve x Conto), bred by Noleen Kieran, as the penultimate pair, were clear in 36.37 which put them into eventual third place. Last to go, Harrison Blair riding Rockmount Farm’s Belgian-bred gelding L’Esprit Hero Z came closest to catching the leader, stopping the clock at 36.25 for second place.

Speed win

David Campbell’s Derryinver Truffle was partnered to victory in Saturday evening’s feature 1.35m speed class at the Cavan August three-day show by Catherine Thornton.

Of the 42 combinations that lined out over the Gueorgui Gueorguiev and Stuart Clarke-designed track, just 15 provided a clear round.

By Tornesch out of Icing (by Cruising), the gelding broke the finish beams in a time of 67.35 to secure the win. Shane O’Reilly and Brian McConville’s Lancer Luck (Castleforbes Lord Lancer x Coevers Diamond Boy), bred by Thomas Whelan, took the runner-up spot in 70.85.

April McCrea, riding her own mare Princess Premier (Hold Up Premier x Ard Vld Douglas), bred by John Rooney, was third in 71.02.

William Hickey’s seven-year-old Uzara’s Up To Date (Comthago x Up To Date) was guided into fourth by Patrick Hickey, while Paddy Eames and the eight-year-old Top De Semilly (Diamant De Semilly x Porsche) took fifth in 74.80 for breeder Raymond McCaughey and owner Elizabeth Eames.

Sixth place went to young rider Matthew Conlon aboard Marble Arch Equine Ltd’s French-bred gelding Dik Star De La Chenee in 75.36.