BARNADOWN Showjumping’s three-day May Show came to an exciting conclusion last Sunday as Tholm Keane stormed to victory in the latest leg of the The Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix series, riding BMH Big Time. The duo lodged the winning clear in 39.65 seconds in the feature class which was sponsored by Ballywalter Farms.

Bred by Paula Abbey from Co Carlow and now owned by James Buckley and Caroline Teltsch, BMH Big Time is a 10-year-old stallion by Luidam out of the Cavalier-sired dam, Magestic Cavalier. He is a full brother to BMH Showtime, campaigned by Edward Doyle up to Grand Prix Level. This is the second good result for this combination of late, having finished second in the Showjumpers Spring Tour this year in Barnadown.

Speaking after the win, a delighted Keane said: “Barnadown has always been very lucky for me and it was again on Sunday. The arena looked and rode very well. It’s always nice to jump in a grass ring of this standard.

“The course really suited my horse, as he is very big and has a big canter, so I could keep him moving forward. I made up time throughout the course, taking six strides from one to two. The narrow oxer in the middle of the arena demanded careful attention. I then opted to do seven to what was the triple. I got a good shot to the penultimate and took a stride out to the last.”

FOCUS on new heights

Keane added: “The plan is to focus him at the TRM/HSI New Heights Champions Series and hopefully take in a few shows in Belgium and France.

“This year, I have great support from Mervue Equine and Clippers Ireland, and hopefully I can continue to clock up results for my loyal owners, James Buckley and Caroline Teltsch.”

Equally as pleased with the day, Barnadown’s Maurice Cousins said: “It was a very busy show and it was wonderful that the weather took up for the weekend.

“The riders were full of compliments for the arena and they were pleased that it stood up so well to the rain on the Wednesday before. I would like to thank our sponsors Ballywalter Farm Stallions, who have sponsored our Grand Prix for a number of years now.”

COMPETITIVE

In total, 61 combinations battled it out for the €4,000 Ballywalter Farm Stallions-sponsored class and from those, seven double clears were delivered. Course designer John Doyle built a fair jump-off track, which began with a strong oxer to a vertical.

Riders then needed to negotiate a tight left turn to the oxer in the middle of the arena. The last line gave riders plenty of scope to make up time, as they took on a vertical to the final oxer.

Kilkenny young rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy also kept all the poles in place with Louis D’Or, in a slower time of 40.38 for second place. The 15-year-old gelding is by Landcapitol out of a Grannus-sired mare Gina.

This combination got off to a good start this year, finishing fourth in the final of The Showjumpers Spring Tour in Warrington and qualifying for the RDS Young riders in Cavan just a few weeks ago.

Placed third in the Mervue Equine Leinster Tour on Friday, Stephen Murphy and Chantelle were back in the ribbons as they took another third place, clear in 40.50. Bred by Gerry Traynor, Chantelle is a 10-year-old mare is by Lux Z out of Texaco’s Delphine.

Traynor has had much success with this mare, breeding eight foals from her. The mare’s full sister Luxs Curios, who is owned by Brian Murphy, was campaigned by Michael and Stephen Murphy with much success. Another full sister, Birchwood Holly has also been a big success for the Murphy family with a series of good results with his owner Patrick Murphy and Eoghan Murphy.

Already in the line-up in the 1.35m Mervue Equine Leinster Tour last Friday, Kevin Gallagher and Flexibility picked up another rosette when they maintained a clean sheet, albeit in a slower time of 41.01 for eventual fourth.

Accounting for fifth place was Tipperary-based American rider, Kerry McCahill and Vatson Sitte, clear in 41.65. This 14-year-old Belgian gelding is by Cardento out of the Contender-sired dam, Casta Sitte Z. McCahill trains with Greg Broderick at Ballypatrick Stables.

Completing the top six line-up was Edward Doyle riding Gina Prescott’s Billy Guilder, clear in 42.15. The last of the double clears was delivered by Steven Smith and Gradje O, in a time of 46.14.