The sixth leg of the Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix League 2014 took place today at Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre. 2014 saw this show run once again over three days commencing on Friday 23rd May and finishing with the feature class of the weekend, the Longines 1.40m National Grand Prix carrying a purse of €4000 this was the biggest weekend in the Ravensdale Lodge calendar attracting growing numbers annually.
24 riders took on Tom Holdens (Intl) track on a rain sodden day. 8 competitors had clear rounds to put them through to the jump off.
It was rider Gerard Clarke who took the top spot with Eugene Haanratty's, Woudprins the 11 Year Old Stallion by Ico Sun out of a Notaris mare.
Second was Daniel Coyle on Zuidam.
Third was Alexander Butler on Hallowberry Cruz.
This was the fourth year of collaboration between the prestigious Swiss watch maker and Ravensdale Lodge. In addition to the prize fund and prizes from the league sponsors Horseware and TRM, Longines generously sponsored prizes in the Grand Prix that are not normally available to riders at national level. The winner of the Grand Prix was rewarded with a watch from the Longines Conquest collection valued at up to €1800 and first, second and third also received a bespoke Longines rug and trophy. As with previous years every entry in Sunday's Grand Prix received a Longines gift bag.
This shows reputation and attendances have grown year on year with a record number jumping over the three days in 2013 thanks in no small part to the quality of the facilities at Ravensdale Lodge, the arenas had not been used since July of last year and receive regular attention but due to heavy showers Friday and Saturday a tough decision had to be made by all concerned to move the remaining classes from Arena 1 to the Outdoor Sand Arena. Other feature classes over the weekend included the Leinster Summer Tour classes from 1m to 1.35m, the Ballymaloe Pasta Sauces His and Hers 1.10m class and the Cavan Classic Qualifiers.
The 2014 League now moves to Ballivor Horse Show, Co.Meath for the seventh leg on Sunday 8th June.
*Full Result*Sixth leg of the Horseware/TRM Grand Prix 2014 at Ravensdale Lodge
1st Gerard Clarke/Woudprins 0/0 39.67
2nd Daniel Coyle/Zuidam 0/0 39.93
3rd Alexander Butler/Hallowberry Cruz 0/0 43.10
4th Alexander Butler/Riverside Ace 0/4 42.13
5th Frank Curran/Camiro De Haar Z 0/4 44.50
6th Vincent Byrne/Hannibal V Overis Z 0/4 48.48
7th Robert Power/Doonaveeragh O One 0/8 40.53
8th Daniel Coyle/Lady Porschell 0/8 46.60
9th Gerard Clarke/Horseware Ardragh Stein 4 68.55
10th Peter Smyth/Diamonds Courage 4 71.28
24 Starters
8 in Jump Off
Winning Owner - Eugene Hanratty