ACTION in the Connaught Regional League moved to Galway Equestrian last Sunday where Damien Griffin emerged victorious in the 1.35m Eurocon Insulation & Dry Lining league when he delivered a clear with Pembrook Milenia in 36.32 seconds.

The only other double clear in the five-way jump-off was delivered by James Joyce and Garryduff Jar of Hearts in 42.55 for second. Tori Dunn and Ballistic M2S posted a very fast time of 38.30, but it came at a price as she crossed the line with a pole on the ground, for third. Also, on four faults in a time of 41.31 was Sven Hadley and Ganorad for fourth. Thomas O’Brien proved out of luck when finishing on eight faults with Rockwood Pablo for fifth.

Sven Hadley strengthened his position on the leader board as he went on to claim first three places in the 1.25m section. Hadley took the win when he partnered Jessy Van De Heide to a clear in 26.75. He slotted in to second when he crossed the line clear in Vvood Stock De Breve in 27.14 and then another clear with Zenas Flight in 27.29 saw him secure third. Shane Goggins and Wrangler II stopped the clock, clear in 27.52 for fourth, ahead of Vincent Mullins and Bushy Park Pasco, clear in 31.77. Completing the top six line-up was Wesley Ryan and Bernhard, clear in 35.06.

AMATEUR CLASS

In the 1.10m Martin Flesk Plumbing and Heating Amateur class, victory belonged to Paul Tarpey and She Lux Quality, clear in 35.16. Winner of the opening round at Ard Chuain, Martin Flesk put in another good performance with Killuppaun Magic, clear in 35.86 for second. Third place belonged to Eugene O’Doherty and Drenrow Master Blaster, clear in 37.71.

In the Oil Direct 1.15m league, Jessica Lee and Harry Beau Bay claimed victory when they galloped home clear in 28.26. Sven Hadley was back in the ribbons taking second with Zenas Flight, clear in 28.75. Aoife McCabe and Carramore Oasis took third when they kept all the poles in place in a time of 28.99.

RDS QUALIFIERS

The first RDS amateur qualifier got off to a great start last Monday at Galway Equestrian with 134 combinations declared in the A section and 78 in the AA section. The top eight all came home with clean sheets. Following a very tough competition, it was A rider, Co Meath’s Jacqui Boland and the 13-year-old gelding Maverick Na Ri who took the win, the fastest of the triple clears in 35.31.

Runner-up in the championship last year, AA rider Adrian Gilmartin lodged a clear with Carnival Cocktail in 35.92 for second, ahead of Aileen McDermott (AA) and Amber Balou, clear in 37.58. Sara Pothmann Cullen’s (AA) calculated riding with My Mr Knightley saw her deliver a clear in 37.96 for eventual fourth.

A previous winner in Dublin, AA rider Paul Carroll will get another shot at the title having secured fifth place with the eight-year-old gelding Kabran De Reve Z, clear in 38.02. Catriona Cody (AA) didn’t hang about and secured her place going clear with the Mermus-sired Shanroe Socalite in a time of 38.32 for sixth. Seventh place belonged to Lorraine Younge (AA) and Belfieldflight, clear in 39.01, while taking the last of the tickets in this round was Sarah Connolly (AA) and Shinawil, clear in 41.44.