A FAMILIAR face in the line-ups at Maryville Equestrian Centre, Jack Ryan made the worthwhile trip from Kilkenny to the Cork venue to claim both first and second place in the SJI Autumn Grand Prix last Sunday. Riding Cavalier Teaca, he was fastest of the nine double clears in 39.05. Owned by Jack’s mother, Marguerite, Cavalier Teaca is a 12-year-old mare. Bred by Barry Kiernan, she is by Glidawn Diamond out of the Cavalier Royale-sired mare Teaca.

Speaking after the win, talented young rider Ryan said: “I am delighted at how all three horses went. Filouandra proceeded to the jump-off but finished on five faults. I was third to go with Essenar High Hopes and had set a good time to beat. With both horses I made up the time by taking the inside line from fence eight to 10.

“Maryville, as always, did a great job and the ground was excellent. Paul Duffy designed a fair track, with no particular fence causing any problems. I also won the 1.20m with Alexander Hamilton’s stallion Zavatar F, which was an added bonus.”

Ryan, who finished school last year, is now working full-time with horses. He currently has 14 horses in work, and they are made up of youngsters and Grand Prix horses. He plans to go to Europe in the next few weeks to take in some shows.

In total, 38 went to post and of those and with riders well up to the challenge, 15 delivered clears in the first round.

Not content with the win, Ryan who is just 18, took the runner-up place with Essenar High Hopes, clear in 41.06. Owned by Anne Marie Fagan, the Danish gelding Essenar High Hopes was bred by Ardn Deters and is by Phin Phin out of an Indoctro-sired dam Leni-Jo. Ryan has produced this horse through the ranks and among his good results was a win in the Irish Breeders’ Classic seven and eight-year-old final in 2018.

Derek McConnell added to his leaderboard tally, when he took third with Dothraki Warlord, when he stopped the clock in 43.02. This combination also took third in the opening round at JAG Equestrian. Bred by Patrick J. Kearns and owned by Sorcha Hennessy, he is a seven-year-old gelding by Mermus R (KWPN) out of the Diamant De Semilly (SF)-sired dam Tiamo Diamant (SF).

Game plan

Little separated the next two placings as Maura Counihan crossed the line with Killerisk Minnie, in 43.28. This combination proved successful in Maryville, taking fourth in the 1.35m Munster Connolly’s Red Mills Grand Prix in July. Bred by John Breen from Co Kerry and owned by Counihan, Killerisk Minnie is a 16-year-old mare by Corghano out of the Vasco-sired mare Vasco Clover. Counihan also delivered a clear with Killerisk Can Ya but opted not to contest the jump-off.

Less than half a second behind was Patrick Hickey and Quandurina in 43.54. Hickey has had a good run of late, claiming the leading young rider prize in the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour.

Derek McConnell took another place in the line-up when he kept all the poles in place with the seven-year-old Longfield Quinlui, clocking in 44.16 for sixth.

Delighted with the result, McConnell said; “I am very pleased with all three horses that I had in the jump-off. DBS Looks Royale, who is also a seven-year-old, went very well but just had a pole down in the first round. All horses have stepped up to the mark and have proved very consistent. Next year we plan to aim Warlord at the New Heights Series and with Longfield Quinlui, move her up to Grand Prix level. I have produced them all from three-year-olds and it’s great to see them progressing. I haven’t really pushed them against the clock as they are still quite young and it’s important not to rush them. I would prefer if they have a positive experience, rather than make a mistake that could frighten them off. You need to look at the future and the bigger picture. In the spring we plan to take in a few shows in Europe to prepare them for the summer season.”

Regarding Maryville, he added: “Maryville has always proved lucky for me. As a five-year-old, Warlord qualified for Dublin there, as a six-year-old Lux Royale qualified for Dublin and Longfield Quinlui also qualified for Dublin there as a seven-year-old. It’s a great venue and they do a great job at all events.”