THE 1.35m Harriet Penfold Memorial Grand Prix at Garranemore attracted a massive entry of 98 of Ireland’s top riders lining out for the €8,000 prize pot. Little divided the top places in the Grand Prix, with the top five in the 20-way jump-off coming home within 40 seconds. Claiming victory was Darragh Ryan aboard his own Lady Blue Du Pont Letot, when they were fastest of the eight double clears in a time of 38.57.

Lady Blue Du Pont Letot is a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Chacoon Blue and out of the Qoby De Saint Aubert-sired dam, Faience Du Pont Letot.

Jack Ryan came closest to catching the winner, when he came home in a time of 38.68 aboard the Northlawn Farm-owned Calgrafi Dwb to take the runner-up spot. The 11-year-old mare is by Bogegardens Grafs Stakkato and is out of Caleo.

Liam O’Meara and Cevann took third place when they galloped home in 39.34. The combination were winners of the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour in Maryville. Owned by O’Meara, the 12-year-old gelding is by Cevin Z and out of the Kannan-sired dam, Bellini. Cevin Z has a consistent record and, amongst his good placings with O’Meara, was third in the national Grand Prix in Hollypark last year, along with placings in the Munster Grand Prix.

Jason Foley and Chedington Hazy Toulana slotted into fourth, when they stopped the clock in 39.69 seconds. The 14-year-old mare is by Toulon and out of Mariska.

Harry Wood took fifth with Be Eskada, when they clocked 39.78. Owned by Anna Carway and bred by Breen Equestrian, the 11-year-old mare is by Cornet Obolensky and out of the Caretano-sired dam Silverstra.

Darragh Ryan claimed another place in the line-up with his own eight-year-old Chaque Vie Vt Willbeke Z, when they opted for the longer routes, delivering a clear in 47.85. Bred by Claire Parez, the Zangersheide mare is by Chacoon Blue out of the Vigo D’Arsouilles-sired dam, Vigas Diamant Vt Willbeke Z.

1.20m

The Move Right Therapy & Robert Buckley-sponsored 1.20m class saw a win for recently-crowned TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour Champion Sven Hadley. Riding his own HSH Harper Du Seigneur, he lodged a clear in 60.89 to claim the winner’s share of the €1,000 on offer. Not content with the win, Hadley also took fourth with Make It Easy HSH, when he delivered another clear in 63.04. Darragh Ryan returned to the line-up taking two places. He delivered his best result with Elain Glasheen’s Ballygerald Blue Belle, when clear in 61.77 and fifth with Gillian Walshe’s Currency, with a clear in 68.56. Eddie Moloney divided Ryan’s placings, as he guided Kilcreene Enterprises’ Star Van De Heffinick to a clear in 62.96. Rounding off the top six was Paul McDermott and Lagans KBS Calvo Lad, clear in 69.68. The leading young rider of the round was Connaught’s Saga Gunnersson and Gallahad, who finished eighth.

1.10m

Leading the victory lap in the 1.10m Carey Elite Showjumps class was amateur Laura Walshe when she was fastest of the 25 double clears in 28.86 aboard the home-bred, Ballinaguilkey Heritage. Fellow amateur rider Emma Walsh chased Walshe home, when she crossed the line with her own seven-year-old, Carrow Cornet in 31 seconds. Third place was occupied by junior rider Claire Hyland and Holly Cobra in 33.58, while in fourth was Saga Gunnersson and the eight-year-old Absolute Fern in 34.40. Young rider Olivia Shanahan and Cooleyhill Bonzo C took fifth when they came home in 35.76, while in sixth was Marta Hughes Bravo and the eight-year-old HHS Chinagirl in 36.11.

Amateur

Derek Burke (AA) took the win in the BB Equestrian-sponsored amateur class, when he partnered ever-reliable Tyreda Chip to a clear in 42.23. Edel Kelly (A) claimed the runner-up spot with Agustina, when clear in 46.11, ahead of Willie O’Dea (A) and Canadian K, clear in 47.93. Accounting for eventual fourth was Ciara Kelly (A) and Juan Amigo when they were fastest of the four-faulters in 38.36. Fifth place belonged to Karen Macgrath (A) and Monocular, when they also had one on the ground in 43.59.