UNDER blazing sunshine at River View EC in Crossmolina, the Corcoran family last weekend hosted the fourth leg of the Sunshine Windows and Doors Connaught Region Grand Prix.

Some 35 riders went to post over a course designed by Padraic Corcoran and Charles Hanley, all aiming for points to climb the leaderboard and claim the a share of Riverview Show’s €3,000 prize fund and The Ann Corcoran Memorial Cup.

The first clear of the competition went to Galway man Tim MacDonagh, riding Jackie Lee’s Beaute Van Herikhave. They were joined by 18 other competitors in the second round. Sven Hadley and Hadley Sport Horses’ Carla provided the first double clear of the competition in a time of 47.80 seconds.

A tough battle ensued between several riders until Olive Clarke entered the ring on Patrick Lenehan’s Captain Call and scorched around the track in a time of 41.75. Clarke held her position well until local man Daren Hopkins took up the challenge with Mr Cruise, a horse owned by his grandfather Leo Carey.

Hopkins, the 2014 winner of the Connaught Grand Prix at River View flew around clear in a time of 39.10 to take the lead from Clarke.

The final combination, Gabriel Slattery and John Byrne’s Captains Magic Touch, set off at a blistering pace.

The appreciative spectators and an anxious Carey family watched with bated breath as they crossed the finish line with a clear round in a time of 41.45, fast enough for second place overall on the day.

The award for best turned-out horse and rider combination went to CC Captain Cruise and Jordan Kilkenny, who received products sponsored by Sid Flynn Seaweed Supplements.

Meanwhile, the 1.15m Hygeia Connaught Development League was the first class held in River View Sunday morning.

Here there were not only league points but Hygeia vouchers, a €350 prize fund sponsored by Padraic Howley and the Vinnie Garrett Memorial Cup on offer.

With 54 starters, the class was won in a very fast time of 25.57 by Stephen Howley riding Sligo Balou Boy.

Following this, the Leo Carey-sponsored 1.20m competition was also won by Daren Hopkins riding Furisto Cruse clear in a time of 26.87.