Brian Hennessy

THE 2015 show jumping season in Ireland saw some new faces emerge to claim a share of the national titles on offer. The year also saw many of the traditional “big names” add to their trophy cabinets, while an exciting new initiative proved a huge hit with the public.

The action kicked off last February with the HSI/Connolly’s Red Mills spring tour, run by The Showjumpers Club.

Tipperary’s Liam O’Meara was the convincing winner of the series, he already had the title in the bag before the final round at Coilog. The Nenagh rider came out on top in three of the league rounds and featured in the top six on several occasions. John Floody finished as league runner-up, while O’Meara had the added bonus of also collecting the Castlefield Sport Horses young horse title with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Fligh.

The TRM/Horseware national Grand Prix league saw a new name added to the list of winners. Dubliner Darryl Walker won three rounds of the series and his consistency saw him add numerous points-scoring placings on his way to a 67 point winning total. Defending champion Vincent Byrne finished as runner-up, with Daniel Coyle third on the final standings. Walker’s league success owed much to the Manuela Martinelli-owned mare Cushions. The daughter of Flex A Bill was crowned leading horse, ahead of Mr Rockefeller in second and Poker Des Dames in third.

The TRM/Horseware premier series saw Alexander Butler crowned champion and in the process he was named 2015 national show jumping champion. Butler got off to the perfect start with a win in the opening round at Louth County and also picked up points at Cork, Balmoral and Tattersalls, before clinching the title with a third place finish at The Meadows. Sligo’s Deane Rogan ended a memorable premier series campaign as joint runner-up along with Vincent Byrne. The Caroline Byrne-owned Hallowberry Cruz was named leading horse of the premier series.

INOVATION

The summer of 2015 will be also remembered for the launch of the exciting new Jumping In The City series. The partnership between Horse Sport Ireland, Show Jumping Ireland and the Irish Greyhound Board saw top level show jumping take place at Greyhound stadia around Ireland. The concept proved a huge hit, with corporate tables sold out at all three venues. Deane Rogan and Falco Van Spieveld took the honours in the first round at Limerick, while Alexander Butler and Vimminka proved unbeatable in Cork. The series final at Shelbourne Park saw Dermott Lennon and the Irish Sport Horse mare Loughview Lou-Lou crowned overall champions, while the Puissance final resulted in a three way tie between Liam O’Meara, Jason Higgins and Gabriel Corless. Tipperary’s Joanna Penfold landed the Jumping In The City Amateur final and claimed a new Ifor Williams horsebox as her winners prize. The success of Jumping In The City was later recognised when it was named ‘Best Innovation in Sport’ at the Irish Sport Industry awards in November.

CLASSIC SUCCESS

The Irish Breeders Classic continued to prove a huge success again this year. Tipperary’s Greg Broderick capped a memorable season with victory in the €45,000 Breeders Classic final at Baradown with Alberta Mist.

Regional leagues in Munster, Leinster and Connaught were keenly contested throughout the season. Jessica Burke landed the Connaught Grand Prix title, while Francis Connors continued his domination with his third win in the Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Grand Prix league. The Pegus Leinster Summer Tour saw junior rider Jennifer Kuehnle come out on top, adding to the gold medal she won in the children on horses final at the European championships in Austria.

The Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix league brought the curtain down on the national circuit. The series produced the tightest finish of all the national titles on offer. Ultimately it was John Floody who was crowned champion following two wins and a runner-up placing. He finished just four points ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Cian O’Connor, while young rider Cormac Hanley was close behind in third. Floody’s mount Mise Le Meas was named leading horse of the series. The Cruise On gelding who is owned by Mathew Birch, was responsible for all of Floody’s points during a successful campaign.

The Irish show jumping season officially came to an end at the Showjumpers Club awards and ball in December, where all the league winners were honoured for their success, while Aglish Gymkhana in Co Waterford was named show of the year.

The 2016 season is now just around the corner and it promises to be a challenging one for show organizers. The traditional show calendar will see major changes, with the Dublin Horse Show having to change their traditional date due to the upcoming the Olympic Games in Rio.