Michael Pender Makes It Back-to-Back Wins at Balmoral

The fifth leg of the 2026 Plusvital Premier Series took place last weekend (19 July) at Balmoral, where 46 combinations came forward to contest another competitive 1.50m class.

The technical track produced just seven first-round clear rounds, with only two combinations managing to jump double clear in the jump-off.

Claiming victory was Mikey Pender aboard the homebred nine-year-old Madgeslane Louis, who produced a superb jump-off round to stop the clock in 45.50 seconds. Bred by Mikey Pender, the gelding is by Luidam out of an OBOS Quality 004 mare. The victory marked back-to-back wins in the class, with the combination also winning last years leg at Balmoral.

Second place, and the only other double clear of the class, went to Francis Derwin and Flexi K.

It was a fantastic result for Plusvital, with both first and second place occupied by Plusvital Ambassadors, whose horses are fuelled by Plusvital Sport Syrup.

Harry Wood and BP Goodfellas, owned by Ballypatrick, finished third, while reigning National Champion Niamh McEvoy partnered Rock N Roll Ter Putte into fourth. Jack Ryan and DSH Lucky Junior claimed fifth place, with Dermott Lennon and Kinmar Right On Time finishing sixth.

Congratulations to all of the prize winners, and a huge thank you to Balmoral for hosting another outstanding leg of the Plusvital Premier Series.

Attention now turns to the sixth and final qualifying leg, taking place this weekend (26 July), where the two coveted qualification places for the 2026 Dublin Horse Show will be decided.

The race for the top of the leaderboard couldn't be closer, with Clem McMahon and Carneyhaugh Unison, Francis Derwin and Flexi K, and Jason Foley and Cute Face all tied at the top of the standings heading into the final showdown.

See the full leaderboard below.