A WIN in the SJI National Grand Prix league in Galway Equestrian last Sunday for Liam O’Meara means that the defending champion is now unbeatable in the league for the second consecutive year.

O’Meara dominated the league, recording five wins placed in 14 rounds.

Delighted with the win, Liam O’Meara said: “It’s been a great season and thankfully all the horses have been on top form. It is great to know that I have the league won going into the final as it takes the pressure off. I was slow to start off in the league, but then picked up the pace. Having two horses at this level makes it easier as you know you have double chance of getting the win.”

Regarding the show, O’Brien added: “I would like to thank the O’Briens who did another excellent job in running the show this weekend.”

In total, 27 combinations went to post in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds penultimate round and from those, eight proceeded to the jump-off.

First to go, Jessica Burke put it up to the rest, when she set the time to beat with Captain Cruise in 49.05 seconds. Next up, Darryl Walker, who is currently lying third on the leaderboard, was looking to add points to his score on the leaderboard. Riding Kiss N Fly, he got a good shot to the double and then back to the Bluegrass vertical, and a clear in 41.75 saw him temporarily take the lead and then eventual third.

All eyes were the next combination of Liam O’Meara and Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight. O’Meara set off in his normal pace and made up the time from the start. A good turn to the double, matched with a great pace from the Bluegrass vertical to the penultimate oxer, saw him clock the winning time of 39.33.

Joseph O’Brien and CV Santander proved out of luck when they faulted at the penultimate oxer and crossed the line in 40.89 for sixth. Bred by Vincent Hodgins from Galway and now owned by Kenneth Feeney, CV Santander is a nine-year-old mare by Womanizer out of the Coevers Diamond Boy mare, Killnalahin Pride.

Jessica Burke returned with her second mount Norway venture and another gallant attempt saw her better her own time, clocking 39.65 for second place. Burke’s pathfinder round with Captain Cruise would later see her also take eventual fourth.

Also double-handed in the jump-off, Liam O’Meara kept all the poles in place with Russel Style, but two time faults (51.06) saw him take fifth place.

Last to go with Sandra Duffy’s Caliva Charca MM Z, Darryl Walker proved out of luck when faulting at the second part of the double. Their time of 48.53 saw them take seventh place, ahead of Cormac Rafferty and KMR Benzini, who clocked up 12 faults in 43.99.

HADLEY WINS GRAND PRIX

Last Saturday, local riders dominated the Jim and Francis Derwin-sponsored Grand Prix. Following a great week at Millstreet International Horse Show, Sven Hadley added to his record when he claimed victory with Realt Na Carraig, clear in 38.62.

Bred by Elsie McVeigh from Tyrone, Realt Na Carraig is a 14-year-old gelding by Lux Z out of the Royal Renown-sired dam, Realt Na Mhara who has two other progeny registered, one which was bred by McVeigh, the traditionally bred Realt Na Gleann (2003), by Coronea Eagle.

Not content with the win, Hadley also took second with the Quentin-sired gelding Quanbell, when clear in 39.27. Slotting into third place were Cormac Rafferty and KMR Benzini, clear in 41.09. Bred by Carol McLaughlin in Donegal and now owned by Aoife Rafferty, the gelding is a 10-year-old by Morgangold Major out of Benzini Belle. A half-brother K.M.R Taylor Made, by Tabasco Van Erpekom ,was competed by Rafferty up to Grand Prix level.

Fourth place was filled by Gabriel Slattery Jnr and Oilean Dunlop, who went clear in 47.07, ahead of Thomas O’Brien and Pittsburg C, who had four faults in 38.03. Gemma Phelan also incurred four faults with Quality Villane, in 39.88, for eventual sixth.