IT was a busy weekend for riders as they travelled to The Meadows Equestrian in Lurgan to contest two of the opening rounds in the Top Spec Autumn Grand Prix series.

Last Saturday, 32 combinations contested the 1.35m Grand Prix and of those, seven delivered double clears in the class which carried a €2,000 prize fund.

It was a class dominated by northern riders as they filled five of the top six placings.

Leading the victory lap on this occasion were Jonathan Smyth and Charlton Clio, when they delivered a double clear in 31.70 seconds.

Bred by Peter Mulrine from Co Donegal and now owned by Richard J. W. Smyth, Charlton Clio (ISH) is an 11-year-old mare by HHS BR Charlton and out of the Clover Hill-sired mare Admiran Clio.

Mulrine has registered 10 offspring from the dam and three of those are by HHS BR Charlton. The breeder has also used stallions such as Mermus R, Je T’aime Flamenco, Luidam, Red House Condor and Seabrook (USA).

Under Smyth’s command, Charlton Clio has proved successful at home and abroad. In August this year, the combination were part of the team that finished fifth in the Young Riders European Championships at Samorin. Before this they formed part of the young rider team that finished second at Hagen.

Frank Curran’s decision to play it safe with Afrika saw him deliver a clear in 35.72 for second place. Owned by Heffron Equine, the 12-year-old gelding is by Convertor and out of a Carthego-sired dam, Stutbuch.

Philip Gaw and Ardnacashel Coovella also delivered a clear, in a time of 36.71 for third. Bred by Co Down breeder Janice Reddy, the nine-year-old mare is by Luidam and out of a Harlequin Du Carel-sired dam, Prominence. Reddy has three other offspring registered from this dam.

Co Down rider Ronald Ross and Gilbo VD Gulden Z crossed the line clear in 38.37, for eventual fourth. A Belgian-bred, the 10-year-old gelding is by Griseldi out of a Heartbreaker mare, Rialto 11 Van De Guden.

Peter Smyth’s clear with Shenanigans in 38.99 seconds was him slot into fifth. Another promising horse for Smyth, the nine-year-old-gelding is by Heartbreaker (KWPN) out of a Centro-sired mare, Wonder Why.

It was a well worthwhile trip from Kildare for Peter Flanagan who completed the top-six line-up aboard Bua Gan Noctadh, when last of the double clears in 39.62. Owned by Emily Horgan and bred by Dr. Noel Cawley from Co Kildare, this gelding is well related. The dam, Ballinakill Clover, has proved to be a very successful one for Cawley, with numerous offspring who have gone on to compete at the highest level. Bua Gan Noctadh is by the world-famous Cruising sire Flexible and is a full-brother to BP Hybernia, Golden Exchange, Atomic Mouse and Cruise On Clover, to name but a few.

WIN FOR McENEANEY

Winner of the four-year-old class was Conor McEneaney and Shanroe Peeters (Dallas VDL x Shanroe Sapphire) when awarded a score of 95.

Jonathan Smyth also featured in this line-up when he took second with the Willie Craig-owned Fyfin Gold (Ramiro B x Gold Sally), on a score of 86.

Just three points behind were Alison Irwin and Candy Lane (Sligo Candy Boy x Castlemly Lass)