Cavan Equestrian’s outdoor sand arena was basked in sunshine as the third leg of the Plusvital Showjumping Ireland Premier Series got underway. With temperatures reaching the twenties, over forty of Ireland’s Grand Prix combinations took on the Klaus Wilhelm Holle built course. The first round asked questions of some of the most established riders the country has to offer with only ten making it through to the jump off. The entirety of the large sand ring  was utilized for the jump off course requiring those that made it through to combine clever turns with ground covering pace to make their mark on the placings.

First to take on the shortened course was Nicholas Connors aboard Fornett D’Emeraude (Cornet Obolensky x Tapass). The pair who were fourth in opening leg of the Series in Barnadown added to their tally  for the Premier Series Title going clear in a 44.26 seconds, securing a seventh place finish.

Patrick Hickey was next to take on the jump off course with the stallion Casago II (Casall x Hodrina). Fifth in the opening leg and already in contention for the Series title, Hickey picked up the pace and rode a shortened turn back from the new no.4 on course back to the combination at 5. Opening up the stallion to the last they finished in 41.43 seconds which would earn them runner up position of the Grand Prix.

The first of the Williams brothers to jump off was Rhys with Prestin van’t Reebroeck (Vigo D’arsouilles x Kitty S). His first time to compete in this year’s Series, a round that was cool, calm and collected saw the young rider finish clear and inside the Top 8 in a time of 46.70seconds.

Current Series leader Niamh McEvoy & Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick (Limerick x Go luckey) gave an exhilarating performance in both their rounds of jumping but were just off the mark on this occasion going clear in a time of 42.93 seconds to secure a fifth place finish. The points secured in this leg will continue to add to McEvoy’s total as she continues to be one to watch for the remaining legs of the Series.

Coen, the second of the Williams to feature in Sunday’s jump off, rode an immaculate round aboard Elsandro Du Bois (Sandro Boy x Azalee Du Bois). The young rider gave a masterful performance of controlled turns and use of paces guiding the bay stallion through a complex roll back from the vertical at no.3 before a calculated turn over 4 allowed for valuable seconds to be saved. Opening up to the final Plusvital fence the pair left everything standing in a time of 40.50 seconds to secure the win. Their first time to compete in this year’s series, the winning performance sees them collect 10 points and enter the running for this year’s National title.

Sven Hadley would leave it all on the field taking all the available turns with Phenomene Bleu VDM (Diamant De Semily x Nuance Bleue VDM Z). Despite a quick clear round in 41.49 seconds it was not enough to catch Williams or Hickey and the pair finished in third place.

Some of Ireland most experienced combinations were next to take on the jump off but the young rider’s time of Williams would not be caught as Francis Connors & Carrigshawn Vendi Royal (Dondoctro Ryal K) clear in 41.72seconds finished in the Top four while Comdt. Geoff Curran secured sixth with Hawthron Hill (Cardento x Tummery Limelight) finishing in 43.36 seconds.

Francis Derwin Jnr would ride for time on the Balmoral Champion Flexi K (Flex A Bill x Deeply Dippy) but a costly pole resulted in nineth place despite a time of 40.86. Last to ride and rounding out the top ten  Vincent Byrne with Quantino (Quarz x Zagora T) who’s time of 42.10 seconds was jeopardized by an unfortunate four faults.

Presenting the top eight riders of the Grand Prix in the evening’s prize giving was Plusvital CTO Rebecca Watson. 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 this competition. With the series set to continue on July 7th in Maryville Equestrian, Ireland’s young riders continue to lead the series as we reach the half way mark. As combinations continue to collect points for placing first to tenth s, points from the first five legs will be calculated  to determine who will earn the two coveted Leading Rider spots to jump the International classes at this year’s Dublin Horse Show. Points from the sixth and final leg will determine the overall Series winner and National Champion 2024.

Stay up to date with Plusvital & Showjumping Ireland’s social channels for coverage of this year year’s series. Check out Plusvital.com for all your equine supplement needs.

Photography Aisling Duffy

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