FOLLOWING her Grand Prix win in Jag the week prior, Aimee Barry’s winning ways continued as she claimed victory in the SJI Autumn Grand Prix in Hollypark with Garryndruig Limoncello.

Last to go, the Limerick veterinary student set off strong and despite a daring turn back to the oxer at three that nearly saw her knock, she lodged a double clear in 42.41.

Owned by Joe Barry and bred by Geri McGeoghan-Santry, Garryndruig Limoncello is a ten-year-old mare, by Amaretto Darco and is out of the Cruising sired dam,

Garryndruig Cruising Akademi. Bought from Fergal Harrison in 2020, the combination has clocked up a series of good results this season, which included a win in the 1.30m Power and Speed in Cavan November show, along with the win in the Welcome Stakes.They also won the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour in Cavan and in Warrington. More recently they won the 1.35 in Cavan October Show and before this the 1.35m Grand Prix In Banteer.

Gratitude

Chuffed with the win, Barry said: “I am delighted to win here today. I had the opportunity to watch a few go and it was fast and you had to keep a constant rhythm. I knew that Rhys (Williams) was the one to watch and I really replicated what he did. I knew Cello was quick across the ground and if luck was on my side I was in with a shot.

"Cello did not want to hit anything and we had two close escapes.

"I would like to thank my parents for all their support right through from ponies and to Holly Park for running a great show.

Regarding the mare, she added: “She is super consistent and has had four wins in a row. I have nine embryo’s from her and three are in foal. I will continue doing ICSI and hopefully have some more nice foals”

Held mid-week, a total of 32 combinations lined out in a bid to claim the winners share of the €6,000 in the Showjumping and Dc Manor Ltd-sponsored class. From the original starters 11 combinations delivered double clears over the Tom Holden designed course.

Francis Connors Carrigshawn Vendi Royal set the time to beat in the second round, when they delivered a clear in 48.18, which would later prove good enough for eighth. Following this Gary Dooley and Luidams Flame also delivered a clear 48.41 for ninth place. Just one combination later, Taylor Sweeney and Domino Van De Valhoeve also came home with nothing to add in a time of 50.85, which kept them out of the top ten.

The target was reduced significantly as junior rider Gary Dooley and the seven-year-old CSF Olympic Jewel came home in 45.39. Dooley kept it tight throughout the course and got a good shot to the double before heading to the last. Owned by Declan Dooley and bred by Brian Connolly, the mare is by Mylord Carthago (SF) out of the Clover Hill sired dam, Olympic Clover. This combination has a consistent record at this level. In July they claimed fifth place in the 1.40m at the Young Rider Championship.

Gallant attempt

Next up Lee Carey and Luxity put in a gallant attempt and came home clear in 45.68 which would later see him take fourth place. Owned by Niall Carey and bred by John Mulvey, the 10-year-old gelding is by O.B.O.S Quality 004 out of the Lux Z sired dam, Tullibards Lux Sensational. This pairing has proved very consistent this season with a host of good results which included a second place finish in the 1.40m Grand Prix in Cavan in September. They have clocked up numerous results in the Connolly’s Red Mills/Munster Region 1.35m Grand Prix.

Next to take it on, Liam O’ Meara and Lux Trendy are no strangers to this pressure and a clear in 45.97 may have failed to see them take the lead, but would later see them take fifth place. Owned by James O’ Sullivan, the 13-year-old is by Future Trend out of Lucy Lux. This duo has delivered some very impressive performances in the Connolly’s Redmills 1.35m Munster Grand Prix. Taking victories in Aglish, South East Clare Agriculture Show to name but a few of their good results.

Patrick Hickey took a longer line back from three to four with Casago II, but maintaining a good pace with a clear round in 46.18 saw him take sixth. Owned by William Hickey and bred by Brugge Martien van der, this 10-year-old gelding is by Casall out of the Carthago-sired dam, Hodrina. In 2021 the gelding was campaigned by Shane Sweetnam. Hickey began campaigning the horse in September this year.

Young rider Rhys Williams knew what he needed to do as he took it on with the eight-year-old Baloys PS. Williams got a good turn from fence three to four and later back to the double and came home clear in 44.53 to take the runner-up spot and in the process demoted Dooley (CSF Olympic Jewel) into third. Owned by GBBS Int, Baloys PS is by Baloubet De Rouet and is out of the Centadel sired dam Stutbuch 1. A new mount for Williams having only taken over the reins early this month the gelding was previously campaigned by Kevin Gallagher and amongst their good results was qualifying for the seven/eight-year-olds in Dublin Horse Show

Also delivering double clears but just not fast enough for the top six was Nicholas Connors and Fornett D’Emeraude (47.75) for seventh place and Edward Doyle Jnr riding Quick Bill (49.22) for tenth.