A nail biting finish to the Plusvital Showjumping Ireland Premier Series

The culmination of the Plusvital Showjumping Ireland Premier Series kept riders and spectators in suspense right to the final round. With the fifth leg of the series as part of National Balmoral Championships, two spots to compete at this year’s Dublin Horse Show International classes were on the line. The chance to jump at the hallowed grounds of the RDS was not something many were set to pass up and saw European Young Rider Team Gold Medalist Niamh McEvoy making the trip back from Peelbergen in the Netherlands to compete for a spot. Ireland’s Junior riders Eoin Breenan and Coen Williams also made a grueling journey from Holland traveling through the night by any means necessary following a cancelled flight. The Yan Royant designed course proved a firm testing ground for the 38 combinations that lined out on the spacious grass ring. The series leader heading into the penultimate leg Niamh McEvoy and Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick collected 8 faults on course keeping them out of the jump off. Tying for second place was both Patrick Hickey with Casago II and Nicholas Connors aboard Fornett D’Emeraude. Connors delivered a characteristic clear to secure their jump off spot while Hickey unfortunately left two poles on the ground keeping him from the second round. With six combinations to make it through Connors was cool and collected delivering a double clear with the 9 year old gelding to finish in fourth. Last to jump, Clem Mcmahon eroded Jack Ryan’s lead to win out on the day with Clonterm Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x She Has The Lux) in a time of 43.03 seconds. At the end of the Grand Prix in Balmoral Nicholas Connors over took Niamh McEvoy in the league standings and both riders claimed their spots for the International classes. Speaking on receiving his Dublin ticket Connors credited the gelding who ‘deserved’ the spot.

Rolling on to Tattersalls July Show for the sixth and final leg of the series, the title of National Showjumping Champion and a prize fund of €25,000 as supported by the Underwriting Exchange were still all to play for. With standings tight on the leader board all of the top three combinations – Nicholas Connors & Fornett D’Emeraude, Niamh McEvoy & Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick and Patrick Hickey with Casago II – lined out for the final Grand Prix of the series. The sun soaked Tom Holden built course offered good jumping with 10 combinations clear inside the time. Both Connors and Hickey secured their slots to contend for the Series title while McEvoy qualified Jargon Dn (Zirroco Blue VDL x Fair Lady) having had an unlucky pole with Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick. Sixth to go in the jump off Hickey set out as he meant to go on and delivered a rapid clear to eclipse McEvoy’s lead finishing in a time of 41.86 seconds. Spectators and followers of the series held their breath as Connors last to go, delivered a signature double clear but in a slower time a of 44.67seconds. A tense pause commenced as leader board scores were tallied to reflect Hickey’s win of the sixth leg and Connors’ seventh place finish. After some moments of calculating it was confirmed that separated by a mere point Patrick Hickey and Casago II would claim not only the Grand Prix but the 2024 title of National Showjumping Champion. Having competed across all six classes his dedication to the series was rewarded as was his brother’s William who was awarded Leading Owner of the Series. McEvoy who finished second on the day with Jargon Dn was awarded Leading Young Rider of the Series. Making the prize giving presentations was Plusvital Sales Manager for Ireland Heather Mackenzie. Competitors first to third received a sport horse supplement prize pack including Plusvital Sport Syrup, Re Zest and Electrolyte Plus to help support the recovery and performance of their horses for the duration of competition season.

Plusvital wish to thank Showjumping Ireland, Ferdia Equine, Pauric O’Neill of Premium Showjumps, Aisling Duffy, Jumpin Action and Lar Sutton for their support throughout the series. Additional thanks to each of the competition venues, show committees and course designs for making this such an exhilarating series that has showcased some incredible talent being produced here in Ireland.