ALONG with a full schedule of classes, The Meadows also played host to the first round of the ISH Studbook Showjumping Series.

As in previous years, there was plenty of up and coming youngsters contesting the rounds and with €9,500 on offer in the opening round, all sections were hard fought.

SEVEN-YEAR-OLDS

In the seven-year-old final, Thomas O’Brien and Paciro (ISH) emerged as the winners. In total, 25 contested the final and of those, 14 proceeded to the second round. First to go in the timed round, O’Brien kept it tight throughout the course but it was the daring turn back to the penultimate oxer which saw him lodge the winning time of 39.50 seconds.

Speaking after the win, O’Brien said: “I was delighted with the win as it is a good start to the season. The horse was produced to a high standard by Aoife (McCabe) whom I teach. The horse for me has a great future ahead of it and I am looking forward to riding him for the rest of the season.”

Regarding the course, he added: “It was up to standard and there was time to be made up in the turn backs. As I went first, I just went for it and the horse answered all the questions.”

Bred by Patrick Flanagan and owned by Aoife McCabe, Paciro (ISH) is by Pacino (BWP) and out of the Ramiro B-sired Ramiro View. The gelding was previously campaigned by McCabe in the aged classes and up to 1.35m level and qualified for the six-year-old class at RDS last year.

Last to go, Marion Hughes wasted no time with HHS Fortune, but despite taking the inside line to the last, she finished just fractions off the O’Brien’s time in 39.55 for second. Bred by Hughes herself, the mare is by Catoki (HOLST) and out of HHS Daisy (ISH).

Riding the Patrick Sutton-owned and bred Hollystown Miss Lupin ( Lux Z x Thornfield Lupin), Gerard Clarke was up on target at the penultimate fence. However, despite a good pace to the last, he failed to take the lead, clocking 39.64, for eventual third.

Linda Moloney accounted for fourth place with Zilko when she delivered a clear in 41.38. A mare by Je T’Aime Flamenco and out of Zilke, she was bred by Thomas O’Brien and is now owned by Tom Moloney.

Another home-bred for the Fitzpatrick family, Susan Fitzpatrick’s careful riding aboard Keatingstown Z Wellie Two (Z Wellie 72 x Marchionesse) saw her deliver a clear in 41.78 for fifth place.

Jonathan Smyth filled sixth place with the David Finlay-owned and bred Fyfin Charlie (The Echo Factor x Corran Jenny).

SIX-YEAR-OLDS

In the six-year-olds class, six combinations delivered clear rounds. Those sharing the €2,700 prize fund included Jack Ryan (BBS McGregor), Kenneth Graham (Pacino Amiro), Damien Griffin (Qualilas and Celtic Hero B), John Mulligan (Mohill Rosetta) and Derek McConnell with Longfield Quinlui.

FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

A high standard of jumping in the five-year-olds saw 14 combinations jump double clear to split the win.

Of the 14 double clears, three were by Pacino (BWP). Mikey Pender took the largest share of the prize fund, when he delivered clears with both MHS New York and HHS Vancouver. Clears were also delivered by Charlene Clingan (Diamant Ally), Ryan O’Neill (Coolrock Celtic Heart), Darragh Ryan (Csf Sir George), Maria Vozone (Cuffesgrange Corleone), Justine O’Hara (Vales Pacino Royale), Catherine Thornton (ABC Caruso), Kevin Gallagher (Presidential Ball), John Mulligan (Csf James Kann Cruz), Stephen Smith (Luxie B), Derek McConnell (Mth Sossusvlei Sunrise), Angela Percy (Diamant De La Mer) and Damien Griffin (Heritage Vittorio).