The rain held off in Mullingar Equestrian for the final Grand Prix of their 5 Day International Horse Show. 57 combinations took to the Aloga International Arena for the second leg of this year’s Plusvital Showjumping Ireland Premier Series. The Rafael Suarez & Michael Parker designed course proved a challenge with the majority of competitors collecting poles before crossing the finish line. Current series leaders Niamh McEvoy aboard Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick  (Limerick x Go luckey) and Plusvital Brand Ambassador Francis Derwin Jr with Flexi K (Flex A Bill x Deeply Dippy) both saw a costly pole each keep them out of the running of jump off. First out proved a winning formula for Eoin Brennan. Acting as the class’s path finder he set the standard going clear in Round One. Only five others would follow him in to the jump off. Brennan, also first in against the clock with the grey Eskola M (Singapore x Aranca), set a clear time to beat of 36.75 seconds. Seamus Hughes Kennedy aboard Echonix (Aganix Du Seigneur x Echo Peach) followed, the pair opting to better Brennan’s time saw a turn back to the green combination cost them resulting in a sixth place finish. Trying to better his cousin’s performance was James Brennan with the home breed MHS Everything (Quidam Junior x Gowran Lady). Leaving everything upright would not be enough as a time of 40.42 seconds saw them finish in third. Olympian Cian O’Connor was next to try for the time but two poles saw Fox Chapel (Calvaro F.c. x Sonate Des Forets) take fifth position in a time of 43.06 seconds. Following his mentor’s round Tom Wachman came closest to Brennan, completing a faultless round just .67 of a second off the pace in 37.42 seconds riding Obora’s Laura (Luidam x Noal Z). The only horse & rider combination to feature in jump offs of both legs of the Premier Series so far was Jason Foley & Durango VDL (Vdl Zirocco Blue  x Narona) who added to their points tally for their position on the overall leader board. Going for the time they delivered a rapid round but an unfortunate pole saw them settle in fourth on the day.

Presenting the top six riders of the Grand Prix in the evening’s prize giving was Plusvital CEO Eoin Thompson, along with Ted and Alanna Fagan of Mullingar Equestrian and Christy Murphy Chairman of Showjumping Ireland. 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 June 23^rd in Cavan Equestrian, Ireland’s young riders have really made their mark on the leader board thus far. As the riders continue to collect points for placing first to tenth they will be tallied throughout the series to determine who will earn the two coveted Leading Rider spots to jump the International classes at this year’s Dublin Horse Show.

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.

Imagery by Laurence Dunne/ Jumpinaction.eu