LAST weekend at The Meadows marked the first leg of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series. As always there was a good turn out for the popular series which boasted a prize fund of €9,500.

On Sunday, 15 horses lined out in the seven-year-old final and with combinations up to the challenge, seven proceeded to the jump-off where five delivered double clears. Taking the win on this occasion was Michael Pender riding GCS Athena. Second to go in the jump-off, Pender wasted no time with GCS Athena and stopped the clock in 41.38 to take the win.

Owned by Tim Brennan and bred by Olivia Brennan, the mare is by Vigo d’Arsouilles out of MHS Attraction. The dam, who was once owned by the late Deirdre Bourns, had a very successful career under Jenny Rankin before being sold to Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya. She has gone on to win and be placed at four- and five-star level.

Diarmuid Ryan played it safe with his own Corraghoe Steel and a clear in 44.28 saw him slot into second. Bred by Patrick Smith, Corraghoe Steel (ISH) is by Mermus R out of the Cruising-sired Corraghoe Tiger.

Young rider Niamh McEvoy rode her father Richard’s Lisboy Louie and recorded a clear in 53.37 for third place. Bred by Ann Healy Baynes, the gelding is by Luidam out of Sinn Time (TB).

Kenneth Graham also kept all the poles in place with Tullabeg Jackson, albeit in a slower time of 54.06 for eventual fourth. Bred by Nicholas Cousins and owned by Regula Wassmer, the gelding is by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Tullabeg Jackie (ISH).

The last of the double clears was delivered by Capt. Charlene Kehoe and the Minister for Defence’s Derrycush in 54.27 for fifth place. Bred by Alfie Hillen, this gelding is by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP) out of ISHD Caldato.

Trudie Hermione McCoosh put in a very fast round with TMSH Lady Majella when clocking 43.25, but a pole on the round at the water tray meant that she had to settle for sixth place. This mare is by OBOS Quality (OLD) out of the Diamond Serpent mare Legaland Serpent.

Six-year-olds

The six-year-old final saw 17 horses take to the arena, with nine jumping clear in the first round. Seven of these combinations went on to jump double clear rounds and split the €3,000 prize fund. (See double clears in results section 108-109).

Five-year-olds

Some 37 horses lined out for the five-year-old final on Sunday, with 16 horses jumping clear and booking their place in the second round. From there, a total of 14 horses went on to jump double-clear rounds to split the €3,500 prize fund.

See double clears in results section 108-109.