INTERNATIONAL show jumping on the opening day of Mullingar International ended with the Jim & Francis Derwin-sponsored Showjumping Ireland National Grand Prix. Following a competitive jump-off, it was Neal Fearon and Billy On Time who took top spot on the podium.

Speaking after the win Fearon said: “I knew that it was going to be a fast jump-off and Liam O’ Meara had set a very fast time. The horse has plenty of scope and is careful so I knew that I could push him a bit.”

Bred by Donal Barnwell, Billy On Time is a nine-year-old gelding by Billy Congo and out of Some Time. Owned by Niall Talbot and Jan Chrzanowski, Billy On Time has been campaigned by Fearon since the end of 2015.

Among their notable good results is a fifth-place finish in the seven and eight-year-old international championship in Dublin last year. At the start of this season, the combination picked up good placings on the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain.

Scottish course designer Mark McGowan set a technical course for the 66 combination who went to post. In the opening round, the turn to the double (oxer to a vertical) at fence eight rolling on to the water tray caught a few out, as did the final line a vertical to a double and then on to the final vertical.

In the end a total of 21 combinations proceeded to the timed round. Based with Richard Kerins, Heinrich Anhold set the bar high when he delivered the first double clear aboard Kms Clintland in 42.84 seconds, later proving good enough for fifth place.

Anhold’s lead didn’t last long however as Cormac Foley, riding the former international event horse Ballylynch Wizard, lowered the target to 42.24.

Francis Connors and Erne Lady Goldilocks delivered the next double clear in 47.71, which was good enough for sixth place.

A speed merchant against the clock, all eyes were on Liam O’ Meara as he took to the course with Mr Coolcaum. O’Meara set off strong and a tight line from fence five to nine saw him up on the time. A daring gallop to the last almost cost him as it rattled in the cups, but a clear in 41.46 saw him take the lead.

Despite a great attempt from O’ Meara, it was next in, Neal Fearon, who changed the standings. Riding the big striding Billy On Time, a series of tight lines saw him reduce the target to 40.98.

Last to go, Kenneth Graham and Lyrical took a similar route to Fearon, but despite a good attempt, he broke the beam in 41.44, only good enough for the runner-up position and demoting O’Meara into third as a result.