NOW in its second year, Munster Stadium Jumping has grown from strength to strength with large crowds travelling to the Limerick Greyhound Stadium to see top class showjumping last Friday.
As last year, the corporate hospitality was fully booked and general admissions were up on last year’s numbers. Despite what turned out to be a wet evening, the arena held up well to the demands and spectators were treated to nail-biting competition over the four classes.
First up, the 1.10m riders took to the James Tarrant-designed course with 14 combinations battling it out for the €2,000 prize fund on offer. Following some tough combination, it was Carlow rider Lisa Doyle who took the top place on the podium. Riding Corland’s Clipper, Doyle was one of seven riders to proceed to the jump-off and lodged the winning clear round in 29.21.
Kerry rider Sharon Clifford was almost three seconds behind with Belisima in 31.57 for second place. David Moran was the last of the double clears with Toby in 34.53 for third, and Patrick Joyce was fastest of the four-faulters with Glyntown Blake in 30.32 for eventual fourth.
Danielle Lillis slotted May Clover Kylie into fifth place when crossing the line with four faults in 32.31, ahead of Andrew Byrne and Hunters Lodge Puissance, who also had a pole on the floor in 33.14.
Next up, pony riders kept spectators on their toes as they put in some gallant attempts to take home the spoils in the €2,000 128cms 1.05m Future Champions.
James Derwin has certainly been on form with a host of good results in the Coolmore Stud Pony Premier and he added to his profile when he took the honours in Limerick. Riding Ballyknock Master Roan, the Co Westmeath rider posted the winning clear round in 30.58.
For those looking to find a favourite in this class, it was a difficult task with 12 of the 17 combinations maintaining clear sheets after the first round. Of the 12 in the jump-off, six delivered double clear rounds. In second place was Ulster rider Matthew Conlon and The Silver Legend when crossing the line in 31.40.
Little divided the next placings as Sarah Fitzgerald and Knockmenagh Rocco came home in 31.43 for third, ahead of Aine Shortall and Toorboy Tommy in 31.80. Aoife Whelan took a more cautious approach with Boom Box and kept all the poles in their place in 33.01 for fifth. Marta Hughes Bravo and Little Miss Big Time completed the top-six line-up when they also put in a faultless performance, clear in 34.87 seconds.
GRAND PRIX
The feature event, the Horse Sport Ireland-sponsored Grand Prix saw 14 combinations battled it out for the €8,000 prize fund. James Tarrant built a fair track and with riders well up the challenge, eight proceeded to the jump-off. Taking the win was Darragh Ryan and Zuidam who was fastest of three double clears in 39.14 seconds.
Owned by Paul Carr, Zuidam is a 13-year-old stallion by Guidam out of the Indoctro-sired mare Our Mexico. This gelding is no stranger to success in this type of competition having won the Underwriting Exchange with Greg Broderick last year in Shelbourne Park.
This combination has been in good form having won the SJI National Grand Prix in Ballinasloe last month. Prior to going to Ballypatrick, the gelding was campaigned with much success by Daniel Coyle.
No stranger to pressure, Ger O’Neill delivered a clear with Eamonn Murphy’s nine-year-old stallion Dondoctro Ryal K in 40.77 for second place.
Munster rider Paul Beecher once again is proving to be a dominant force on the national circuit and he didn’t disappoint on home soil as he delivered the last double clear in 49.67 with his partner Seryna’s Ikona V.’T Recht Eind for third place.
One of the hot favourites, Greg Broderick put in a fast round with Veronica Tracy’s Daify, but four faults in 41.11 meant a fourth place finish for this pairing. Following a successful show at Mullingar International, Australian rider Jake Hunter added to his Irish record when he took fifth place with the Stallion Company’s 14-year-old stallion Canturado, four faults in 54.76.
Sixth were Jessica Burke and Gamble On Diamond, who also had one of the ground, in a time of 58.58.
Jumping under the lights, the amateur riders brought the evening to an exciting close in the final class, the Westwood Trailers-sponsored Inter Provincial Amateur Team Competition. Taking the win was the Munster home team of Loretta Enright (Lantender), Niall McGrath (Riogrande), Derrick Burke (Tyreda Chip) and Aisling Mcgrath (Ti Amo Darcy).
In second place was the Leinster team of Daniel O’Shea (Kinmar Night), Gillian Blanche (Bellegrove Prima Donna), Darragh McMahon (Sunnyside Boy) and Sara Gorman (Take a Gamble).
In third place was the Connaught team of Debbie Norman (Sweet Ebony), Paul Tarpey (She Luz Quality), Vanessa Sweeney (Vanessa’s Pride) and John Cullinan (Katzenjammer).
The individual win went to Munster rider Niall McGrath and Riogrande.