YOUNG rider Cian Harrison landed his first victory in the HSI SJI Development Grand Prix at Ard Chuain last Saturday. The Sligo rider partnered his own 16-year-old gelding Tabby to a clear in 46.37 seconds to take home the lion’s share of the €5,000 on offer.

Tabby was bred in Co Galway by Pam Donaghy and is by Captain Clover out of the Cruising mare Majestic Cruise. This combination is no stranger to this level of competition.

In September, they took sixth place in the Hughes Horse Stud Grand Prix and prior to this, they demonstrated their ability at 1.50m level, claiming fifth place in the final of the HSI Premier Series at Barnadown.

The combination has delivered results in both the young rider and senior arena since 2018. The gelding was previously campaigned by Damien Griffin with much success.

Now in its third leg, this round of the series saw 29 combinations take on the Paul Duffy-designed course, and from those original starters, five booked their place against the clock where three double clears were delivered.

Fellow Sligo rider Vincent Howley also maintained a clean sheet aboard the Padraig Howley’s eight-year-old Castle Camiro, albeit in a slower time of 48.69 which proved good enough for second place. Bred by Sligo man Noel Ruane, the mare is by Sligo Candy Boy out of Camiro Lady.

Last of the double clears and slotting into third was Sonja Ochadlik who delivered with Emme in 55.80. Owned by Bridget Devaney and bred by John McDonnell from Mayo, the eight-year-old mare is by Voss out of the Qurattro B-sired Zama. Mc Donnell has two other full offspring to the mare registered as Emzo (2014) and Ladie Finess (2012).

Waterford’s Paul Beecher opted for the longer routes with Samsonite RT, but despite this, a pole on the ground in 68.02 would see them slot into fourth place in the line-up. Bred by Rene Tebbel, this 10-year-old Hannover gelding is by Stakko out of Hauptstutbuch Lambada.

Tadhg Mulligan and Creevagh Special proved out of luck when they crossed the line carrying eight faults in a time of 49.20 for fifth. Bred by Ronnie Hollinger, the 11-year-old gelding is by Camiro De Haar Z out of the Harlequin Du Carel-sired Creevagh Harlequin Lady.

Galway’s Sven Hadley failed to book his place in the timed round with Uidam, but finishing as fastest of the four-faulters in the first round would be enough for him to take sixth place. Bred by Padraig Howley, the 13-year-old mare is by Luidam out of the Cavalier Royale-sired Miss MacCar.