DESPITE restrictions, Ireland’s talented young riders proved active in the 2020 shortened season with a series of impressive results on the National Grand Prix Circuits and overseas. Prior to the first lockdown, Wicklow’s Brendan Murphy made his mark on the TRM Showjumpers Spring Tour as he held the league on 18 points after seven rounds. Riding Farno D’o, he claimed a win and a runner-up placing. He also took a win in the round at Cavan Equestrian Centre with Immun Ocean Ogara. Fellow young rider Adam Carey lay in third place in the league having claimed the win at Tipperary and fifth place at the leg in Cavan.

Moving on to The Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix, Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick got her campaign off to a great start. Riding Verdict De Kezeg, she recorded two wins early in the season in the opening round in Galway, followed by JAG Equestrian Centre.