AFTER a year’s absence from the showjumping calendar, Ballivor Horse Show made a welcome return last weekend with a host of classes on the schedule at their new venue at Longwood. Last Sunday, defending SJI National Grand Prix Champion Liam O’Meara secured his place on top of the leaderboard when he took the win. Although this was the first win in the series for the Tipperary native, two runner-up places had placed him in a strong position in the early rounds of the league.

Bred by Baden Powell, Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight is a 10-year-old by Jacomar out of the Errigal Flight-sired mare, Curraghraigue Errigal. Broken by O’Meara’s father and produced by Liam, the gelding has proved very consistent at any test. As a five and six-year-old, he won at Millstreet International. As a seven-year-old, he moved up to Grand Prix level with ease and continued to feature in the line-ups. As an eight-year-old, the horse qualified for Dublin Horse Show and went on to win a qualifier in Simmonscourt. Last year, he was instrumental in O’Meara winning the overall league title.

A delighted O’Meara said: “I was lucky to have two in the jump-off as it allowed me to judge the pace with my second horse. I watched Paddy (O’Donnell) go and I really thought that I had done enough. With Jack, he is very fast against the clock, so I could push him. I think I made up the time in the turn back to the third last verticle.”

Of the show, he commented: “It is a great privilege to win at this show as great riders over the years have all competed and won here. It was my first time competing at Ballivor and there was a great atmosphere, as well as being very well run. It’s always nice to get to jump our horses on grass and today was an ideal day for it. I am delighted that its back on the schedule. Full credit to the organising committee that worked hard to bring it together.”

In total, 23 combinations took on the James Tarrant-designed course and from those, five proceeded to the jump-off.

The first clear was delivered by the first in, Paddy O’Donnell and Swingtime. Following, their foot-perfect performance, a further four joined them in the jump-off.

Pathfinder against the clock, O’Donnell didn’t hang around with Swingtime and a good turn to the double and then later to the penultimate vertical, saw him set the time to beat, clear in 47.57. Bred by Michael O’Loughlin from Kerry and now owned by O’Donnell’s partner Maria Dagg, Swingtime is a 10-year-old gelding by Ars Vendi and out of a Harlequin Du Carel-sired mare, Annabeg Dolly.

Next up, Liam O’Meara got his first look at the course with Mr Coolcaum. Setting off strong, he took a similar line to O’Donnell, but failed to take the lead when lodging a clear in 47.61, for eventual third.

Jonathan Smyth and Charlton Clio was next to take it on. Like those before him, he took the necessary tight turns, but a clear in 47.86, saw him take fourth. Bred by Peter Mulrine from Donegal, the mare is by JJS Br Charlton and out of the Clover Hill-sired dam, Admiran Clio.

A clear from Darryl Walker and the Sandra Duffy-owned Caliva Charca MM Z (Calido I x Vanna Van Het Voorhof) in 49.69, saw them account for fifth.

Last to go with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, O’Meara knew what was required to demote O’Donnell from the poll position. Setting off in a blistering pace, he first negotiated a very tight line to the double, but it was towards the end of the course that he made up the time and managed to shave off over three seconds off the target, crossing the line clear in 44.46.

John Floody proved out of luck when faulting in the first round at fence 10 with Brian Kieran’s stallion, HTS Blackrock (Rhyne Clover x Marilyn D Chin), but a fast time of 76.18, saw him take sixth.