THE 1.50m Plusvital Premier Grand Prix took centre stage in the main sand arena at Cavan Equestrian Centre on Sunday, during their June Five-Day Summer Horse Show. While the sunshine provided the perfect backdrop for this top-class competition, the day was also marked by a poignant moment as riders, officials and spectators observed a minute’s silence in memory of Patricia Nicholson, Emmet Kane, grandson of Brian Gormley, and Shane Dalton.

Claiming victory in the third round of the €15,000 Plusvital Premier Series was Clem McMahon aboard the Hilton Farm-owned Carneyhaugh Unison. Bred by Patrick Breen, this nine-year-old mare is by Cornet Obolensky and is out of the Don Juan De La Bouverie-sired dam, Carneyhaugh Allegro. Earlier in the year, this combination had been in the placings in Vejer de la Frontera CSI3* and Oliva CSI3*.

A total of 44 combinations took on the Christian Wiegand-designed course, and he got it right, with 12 contesting the second round and eight of those delivering double clears.

Pathfinder

First to go aboard Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, Francis Connors set the bar high, delivering the first double clear. Connors set a good pace and got a good turn back to a big oxer across the arena on to a tall vertical. He then negotiated a tight line back to the double, which was a yellow vertical to an oxer out and then on to a vertical. The Waterford rider stopped the clock in 40.47, which would later prove good enough for sixth place. Carrigshawn Vendi Royal is owned by Francis, Jenny and Kate Connors, the 11-year-old mare was bred by John Warner and is by Dondoctro Royal K and is out of Carrigshawn Vendi. This pairing recently took the runner-up spot in the Wexford Grand Prix.

Just three horses later, the lead changed hands, as Francis Derwin and Parvati AEG lowered the target to beat, with a clear in 39.75. Derwin was fast from one to two, an oxer to a vertical, but in particular to the oxer across the arena. He then negotiated a tight line back to the double and on to the vertical, which saw him gain the pace needed to take the lead. This 11-year-old mare is by Arezzo VDL and is out of the Darco-sired dam, Sabrienne.

Jessica Burke maintained a good pace throughout the course and, although she kept it tight, she failed to catch the leader, coming home with nothing to add in 40.15 seconds for fifth. Owned by Liam Nicolas, the 11-year-old mare is by Quaprice Boimargot Quincy and is out of the L’arc de Triomphe-sired dam, Vedette Lande.

Eye on the win

Winners of the round in Mullingar, Jason Foley had his eye on the win, as he took it on with the big-striding Cute Face. Although he kept it tight and was quick across the ground, he just wasn’t quick enough back from the double to the penultimate vertical and crossed the line in 39.80 for third. Owned by Chedington Equestrian and Ellie Guy, Cute Face is a 12-year-old gelding, by Christian 25 and out of the Argentius-sired dam Almeeda.

Francis Derwin returned with Flexi K and again took a series of tight lines, but he had to settle for eventual fourth. Bred by Knightfield Stud, this 12-year-old gelding is by Flexabill and out of the Luidam-sired dam, Deeply Dippy.

Last to go, all eyes were on Clem McMahon, as he took it on with Carneyhaugh Unison. McMahon meant business from the start, as he took out a stride from one to two, this, matched with a great turn back to the next oxer, saw him up on target. A very tight turn back to the double and on to the penultimate vertical saw him clock the winning time of 38.17.