THE Munster Leagues Series came to an exciting conclusion at Banteer show’s final which was held at Green Glens Arena, Millstreet.

The show, which was run in aid of St. Joseph’s Foundation, Charleville and Liskennett Foundation, attracted a good following. As in previous years, these leagues proved very competitive with some of the top combinations opting to stay in their region to support the league.

In the Connolly’s Red Mills 1.35m Grand Prix, Tipperary’s Liam O’Meara and Lux Trendy held the top position going into the final round on 47 points. O’Meara was very much in contention of claiming the title as he was also well in with Sir Jim on 36 points. No stranger to pressure, the TRM Showjumpers Club champions, Limerick’s Robyn Moran and Cushlas Fryday threw down a strong challenge on 38 points.

Following a very competitive jump-off, O’Meara and Lux Trendy added another six points to their leaderboard tally when they finished in fourth place at the final round to take the overall title. Owned by James O’Sullivan, the 12-year-old is by Future Trend out of Lucy Lux.

This combination proved very consistent in this league, clocking up points in eight of the 13 rounds. This included wins at Sceillig and at Dualla.

Moran wins final round

In the final round, 24 combinations lined out with 12 proceeding to the jump-off. Taking the final was Robyn Moran and the James McMahon-owned Coolminga Inspector Royal, when they galloped home with a clean sheet in 39.98 seconds.

Little separated the next placing as Kilkenny’s Vincent Byrne partnered Kayleigh Soden’s CBI Bella Donna to a clear in 40.04. Junior rider Timmy Brennan and GCS Ita came very close to catching Byrne, but their time of 40.49 was enough to secure third place.

Not content with third, Brennan also took fifth place with Eskola M when he delivered a clear in 44.49. Separating Brennan’s placings was O’Meara and Lux Trendy, who came home clear in 44.23. Delivering the last double clear was Richard Hourigan and Killaloan Cobra Carel in a time of 49.80 for sixth place.

Joyce triumphs

The Sweet Oak Farm 1.25m was also a very close competition with Patrick Joyce (Glyntown Blake) and Francis Connors (Primo Aliboo Blue ABF) neck and neck. Following a consistent performance over the course of the league, it was Patrick Joyce and Glyntown Blake who took this title.

Taking victory on the day was Laura Kelly and Fojito, when they came home with nothing to add in 36.99. Tadhg Beecher opted for the longer lines with the eight-year-old Loughnatousa KT and was clear in 39.99 for second. Slotting into third was junior rider Conor Geaney and Wannahave, clear in 41.20, while in fourth place was Vincent Byrne and the six-year-old Main Keenan, clear in 41.23. Ellen Power went clear with Petrhus Z in a time of 42.64 while Beecher took another share of the 2,000 prize fund when he took sixth place with the seven-year-old Loughnatousa Olaf, clear in 43.01.

Going into the final of the Carleton Stables 1.15m, Robyn Moran and Fortside Trend were in pole position on 43 points, while Gerard Curtin followed closely behind on 42 points with Cruise For Life. Curtin also was in third place in the league going into the final with Walking In Paris on 36 points. In the end, amateur rider Gerard Curtin (AA) was crowned the Carleton Stables 1.15m league winner 2022 after he finished in fifth place with Cruise For LIfe, clear in 38.24.

The final round saw 36 combinations go to post and from those, 23 delivered double clears over the Tommy Gibbons-designed course. Taking the final round was amateur rider Lorraine Younge (AA) and Belfieldflight, when she came home in 35.46. Young rider Ciara Fives was her closest rival as she clocked 36.15 with Loughnatousa Brennan for second. Laura Connors filled third place with Abordable Du Talus in 37.57 for third, ahead of Patrick Joyce and Glyntown Blake, who stopped the clock in 38.12. Completing the top six was Robyn Moran and Carrowgar Cool Heart (39.47).

Heartfelt tribute

Speaking after the event, a spokesperson for the Munster region said: “On behalf of Munster Showjumping, we would like to thank our three league sponsors - Carleton Stables, Sweet Oak Farm and Connolly’s Red Mills - we also want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all our fence and hoarding sponsors as without all of you, these leagues would not be possible. From the bottom of our hearts we thank each and everyone of you.

“We also would like to thank all the competitors throughout the year for supporting these Munster leagues and all the show organisers for what really was a fantastic year of show jumping in Munster. We look forward to doing it all again in 2023!”