GREENHILLS Riding Club hosted the second leg of the Linda Moore autumn show jumping league last weekend at Coilog EC in Kilmeague Co Kildare, where owner Chris Byrne built and maintained the 13-fence track on the day. Over the course of the day more than 80 horse and rider combinations competed across seven different classes and were judged by Maureen McGranaghan.

Prizes for riders placed first to sixth in graded classes on the day were sponsored by Investec Bank Plc. Greenhills RC member Katherine Dwyer, who works for Investec, was both competing and there to present prizes to the winners of each class. Best turned out prizes for each class were sponsored by Mary Kane of Toberton Lodge Riding School in Johnstown, Co Kildare.

Prior to the graded classes, several riders took advantage of the clear round class to have a practice run around the course. The primary class was won by a rider who had travelled from outside the West Leinster region to compete. Sarah Killeen from Boyneside RC and her Welsh pony mare Abberpanner Lilliddu jumpe clear to claim the first red rosette of the day. The prize for best turned out in this class was awarded to Sandra Boyle from Greenhills RC, who competed hors concours with her bay gelding Lord Galloway.

Eighteen horse and rider combinations competed in the advanced primary class which was judged on optimum time. The challenging course resulted in just five clear round and Ballyteague RC dominated the results, taking first, second and fourth places. Susan Elkinson won with Ballyteague Defein, Jackie Vivash took second place with Toby and Megan Delaney was fourth with Elphame. Katherine Dwyer had to excuse herself from presenting prizes momentarily as she herself took sixth place in this class on board Royal Silver Flight. The best turned out prize was awarded to Declan Delaney and Troy from Oakleaf RC.

SPORTSMANS

The sportsmans class was run over the advanced primary track and was open to riders graded intermediate and above, judged on optimum time. Two of the eight horse and rider combinations completed with a clear round; Miriam Marron from Calliaghstown RC won the class with Silver Petal ahead of Maryann Casey from Greenhills RC who took second place with Tigs n Jigs. Maryann Casey also won best turned out in this division.

The intermediate class is always hotly contested in the region and this occasion was no different. The class had 34 starters and 10 of these rode a clear round to progress to jump off against the clock over a shortened track. The jump-off course consisted of six obstacles including a double and a tight turn back.

The 10-way jump-off provided plenty of entertainment for spectators and while five combinations jumped clear, none could match the time set by host club member Olwyn Butler. Butler and her grey mare Santero completed in just 31.94 seconds, while second place went to Mary Wade from Dunbyrne RC with Lilly (34.35). Butler also claimed the best turned out award.

There was no jump-off in the advanced intermediate as none of the 13 starters completed a clear round. Of the six four-faulters, victory went to Patrick Cribben and Sophie of Abbeylands RC, while second place and the turn out award went to Megan Smith and Orman from Greenhills RC.

Seven horse and rider combinations entered the final class of the day, the open class, and this finished in a two-way jump-off between Grainne Alexander from Greenhills and Pauline Costello from Abbeylands.

These two consistent performers have often met in a jump-off before and first to jump Costello recorded a good time of 36.86 but a tight turn cost her four faults with Camalau Z. Next in, Alexander rode a steadier clear round in 38.46 seconds with Knockenpower Ginger to win the class for Greenhills. The pair also claimed the best turned out, finishing the day on a higher for the host club.

The next leg of the Linda Moore League will be hosted on Sunday, October 26th by Winterdown RC at Kildare International EC.