BALMORAL returned to the national show jumping calendar last week, albeit on a later than normal date. The action kicked off last Wednesday morning with the Blue Frog Five-year-old Championship.

With 12 combinations going to post, three booked their place against the clock and just two double clears were delivered. Claiming victory was Ryan O’Neill and Rockdrum Touche when they stopped the clock in 39.78 seconds. Owned and bred by Damien Carry, the gelding is by Cara Touche out of the White Clover-sired Rockdrum Clover Lady.

A thrilled Ryan O’Neill said: “I’m delighted to win the five-year-old championship on Rockdrum Touche. The horse is relatively green, having only started jumping this year so delighted with this result.

“We at TR Sporthorses have won this championship a few times over the years. We mainly focus on young horses as we are predominantly a selling stable. We source horses for clients with a great client base throughout Europe and Ireland and to have a win like this is great for our business.”

Treanor runner-up

The other clear came courtesy of Shannon Treanor and Trebra Lorenzo in a time of 40.47. Bred by Victor Biernan and owned by Hugh Treanor, the gelding is by OBOS Quality 004 and out of the Ard VDL Douglas-sired The Forge.

Dermott Lennon and Victoria Loane’s Prince van de Wolfsakker-sired gelding Lord of The Rings (KWPN) finished on 12 faults in 45.29 for third place. Jodie Creighton was fastest of the four faulters in the first round aboard Erin Sweeney’s Ebony Empress in 74.99 for eventual fourth.

Charlotte Harding was also denied her place in the second round when she had one down with the Rachelle Harding-owned and bred RJC Second Best in 76.17 for fifth place. Jonathan Smyth took sixth place on eight faults with Alistair McIvor’s Plot Blue-sired Mr Basil.