Rhys Williams Takes the Opening Leg of the 2026 Plusvital Premier Series

The 2026 Plusvital Premier Series got underway on May 10th at Barnadown Equestrian Centre, launching what promises to be an exciting national campaign across seven of Ireland’s premier venues.

Sponsored by Plusvital, the prestigious series offers €15,000 in prize money at each leg, alongside exclusive Plusvital supplement gift packs.

The series continues to play a vital role in Irish showjumping, providing an essential platform for riders and horses to gain valuable top-level experience before progressing to international competition and ultimately the Dublin Horse Show. Adding further incentive, the top two combinations with the best five placings from the opening six Plusvital Premier Grand Prix Series shows will earn coveted invitations to the RDS.

A total of 44 combinations tackled the course designed by John Doyle, with 12 progressing to the jump-off and only four producing double clear rounds.

Claiming victory in the opening leg was Rhys Williams aboard PARC Cushy Number, owned by Williams Sport Horses Ltd. The impressive 11-year-old gelding, by Quasimodo van de Molendreef out of an Ars Vivendi mare, was bred by Fionnuala Byrne. The pair delivered the fastest double clear of the day, stopping the clock in 45.96 seconds.

Speaking afterwards, Williams said:

“Delighted to win the opening leg of the Premier Series and delighted with how my horse jumped today. A big thanks to Plusvital for the sponsorship, these classes are hugely important in Ireland to develop top riders and horses.”

2nd – Jack Ryan – Calgrafi DWB

3rd – Conor McMahon – Sea Shanghai

4th – Emily Moloney – Temple Alice

5th – Michael Pender – HHS Orchidee

6th – Jonathan Smyth – Mulvin Lui

In addition to prize money, the top six combinations also received Plusvital supplement packs containing Neutragast, Effivet Gel, Chillax, Bronc Eze, and a voucher.

The next leg of the series takes place on June 1st at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.