YOUNG rider Francis Derwin Jnr and a horse that needs no introduction, the ever-reliable Irish Sport Horse AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (Cruisings Micky Finn x Touchdown), won the first round of the Showjumping Ireland 1.40m Autumn Grand Prix held last Sunday afternoon in Mullingar.

Once again, Ireland’s embarrassment of riches when it comes to young riders came to the fore in the class which offered a prize fund of €6,000. All three of the top places went to riders under 21 years of age.

In the eight-horse jump-off, Derwin took first place guiding Whiterock Cruise Down to the fastest of six double clears in a time of 41.97. James Brennan, riding his mother Sinead’s MHS Jersey Girl (Cardento x Quidam Junior 1), bred by Sinead Byrne, finished in the runner-up spot when double clear in 37.25.

Niamh McEvoy and GBBS Ltd’s My Diamant PD Z (Mylord Carthago x Diamant de Semilly) were third in 37.70. Antoine Devulder with his own French-bred gelding Chic of Aranka (Diamant de Semilly x Cruising) slotted into fourth in 40.16.

Junior rider Emily Moloney and Temple Alice (Foxglen Cruise Control x Rantis Diamond), owned by her father Eddie and TSI Equestrian, have produced a very impressive record over the past couple of years. This was no exception. They took fifth place in very good company, breaking the finish beams in 41.97.

Sixth went to Edward Doyle Jnr aboard his father Edward’s home-bred Quick Bill (Flex A Bill x Quick Star) in 43.31.

“It was good to win with that horse, we have had him since he was five, he knows his job!” commented Derwin after the class. “I was midway to go in the jump-off… I heard there were a few quick ones before and after me so I tried to be as quick as I could.

“I made up time to the double, I got inside the trees; he is a very easy horse to turn so it helps. I am looking forward to the next leg of the season, I will follow the league as much as I can before I go away to Vilamoura.”

The next Autumn Grand Prix takes place on September 30th at Duffy’s Equestrian Centre in Co Galway. The series will not be run as a league this year, instead the six legs will be standalone and offer a minimum prize fund of €3,000.