THE journey from Clare to Tipperary paid off for Joan Greene as she recorded her first win in The Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix last Saturday at Tipperary Equestrian.

Riding the aptly named Vivendi Tipperary, the pair were the fastest of five double clears in 37.08 seconds to take the winner’s share of the €2,000 in the Tipperary Equestrian-sponsored class.

Bred by her owner Tim O’Shea, Vivendi Tipperary is a 10-year-old mare by ARS Vivendi out of Concorde (KWPN)-sired Wise Girl C, also campaigned by Greene back in 2009 for a short period. This was the combination’s third Grand Prix outing since the show jumping season resumed. At Barnadown, they produced a double clear round, but finished outside the top six placings.

Thrilled with the result, Joan Greene said: “I am delighted for Tim as he bred the mare and its always special to see a horse you bred win at this level. I would also like to thank Orchard Equestrian who has supported us for many years.’’

Speaking about the mare, Greene continued: “The course really suited her as she is very careful and I could let her go forward. At the last few rounds, I was building up her confidence and it came together today. She learnt a lot from jumping Alan’s (Wade) track at Mullingar and it was evident to see.

“Alan’s course really teaches us a lot as riders, in particular to ride forward and it’s a huge benefit to be able to jump his tracks.”

Fiona Ryan from Tipperary Equestrian commented: “I was delighted to see all the big names turn out and we used the opportunity to launch the centre as a premier venue. Our centre is family-run, with myself Thomas, Killian, Orla and Darragh playing our part in the business.

“It’s difficult times, but we need to keep moving forward. I think this has been the first National Grand Prix in Tipperary and the sun came out for it. I would like to thank all our sponsors, TRI Equestrian, Equipe Saddles, Boomerang.ie and Garrabridge Lighting in Cahir.”

In total, 38 combinations took up the challenge set by international course designer Alan Wade. With riders facing a technical course, just nine proceeded to the timed round.

Ballypatrick Stables may have missed out on the win but they did take three of the top six placings.

Taking the runner-up spot was Kevin Gallagher who put in a great attempt aboard the GBBS LTD and Ennisnag Stud-owned ESI Star Struck, delivering a clear in 38.09. Bred by Ennisnag Stud, this nine-year-old is by Lamm De Fetan out of the Tampa-sired Halona De La Vie.

Greg Broderick kept all the poles in place with the eight-year-old Conthargos-sired Coolivio PS, in a slower time of 40.73 which proved good enough for third place.

Waterford rider Gemma Phelan played it safe with the Thomas Hyland’s Coolisheal Lance and delivered a clear in 42.10 for eventual fourth place. Bred by Hyland, the nine-year-old gelding is by Lancelot out of Coolisheal Cruise.

Young rider National Champion Anabelle Heffron put in a gallant attempt with the Heartbreaker-sired X-Flow Lightyear 2, and a clear in 43.39 ensured fifth place.

Things didn’t go according to plan for Ethen Ahearne as he faulted twice with the 10-year-old Lordanos-sired Loreana 337 to finish in sixth place.

O’Mearas unbeatable

The O’Meara brothers dominated the Boomerang.ie-sponsored 1.30m as they took the took the first two slots. Liam came out on top when he delivered a clear with Grangeview Cruise in 35.23.

Grangeview Cruise was bred by Michael Hogan and is a seven-year-old mare by Cruising Harry out of the Silvano-siredGrangeview Brigade.

Martin O’Meara followed closely behind with Kennysflight and crossed the line clear in 37.97.

Young rider Alicia Timm played it safe with Loughnavatta Ash and it paid off as she crossed the line in 40.27 for third place.

Fourth place belonged to Rebecca Kenny and Karantes Flandria, clear in 41.48, ahead of Philip Horgan and Classified, who clocked 41.48. Joane Greene and the Tim O’ Shea-owned CSF Vinze took sixth place when they left the poles in place in 42.73.

1.20m

Winner of the Equipe saddles 1.20m was Martin O’Meara and Kennysflight, clear in 31.29. Kevin Gallagher picked up his first good placing of the day when he took the runner-up spot with the six-year-old ESI Abercrombie, clear in 32.36, ahead of Isobel Fitzpatrick clear with the eight-year-old SHW Candies Diamond in 33.89.

Edward Doyle made no mistakes with Noel Cawley’s seven-year-old Flexi Rain, clocking 35.11 for eventual fourth.

Accounting for fifth place was Brendan Ryan and the eight-year-old Curraghgraigue Quality Cov, clear in 36. Completing the top six was junior rider Oliver Penfold and Sportsfield Silvery Fox, clear in 36.07.