Alexander Butler launched the TRM/Horseware Premier Series in style with a decisive victory aboard Hallowberry Cruz. Providing a thrilling conclusion for spectators to the opening round of the Series at Louth County Show, the class came down to the wire between Butler and his older brother Edward. In the end it was Alexander who managed to triumph by nearly three seconds in the €10,000 class sponsored by Horseware.

Both riders were drawn at the latter end of a 16 strong jump-off that saw the lead change hands on a number of occasions. Edward set a new standard with the Cornet Obolensky-sired stallion Cornet Son, clear in 49.51 seconds only to see it immediately bettered by Alexander on the Cruising nine-year-old Hallowberry Cruz who found the shorter route home to stop the clock at 46.83

Alexander praised Hallowberry Cruz saying, “It was his first Premier Series Grand Prix and he jumped great. He is definitely going to jump bigger things.”

John McLaughlin as last to go in the timed decider took third place behind the Butler one-two. Riding the locally bred Ard VDL Douglas gelding Javas Wild Child, McLaughlin came home in 49.94 narrowly edging out Vincent Byrne with Hannibal V Overis Z who had set a time of 49.98.

Catherine Thornton had put in a solid double clear at the early stages of the clocked round with the Lux Z stallion Derryinver Luxury Cruise but a time of 53.16 would only guarantee fifth position on the day. Only two other combinations posted a clean sheet on their second time out, Peter Moloney with Ribanbelle Tame (53.30) and Dean Rogan with Falco Van Spievald (54.04)

TRM/Horseware Premier Series Grand Prix Louth County Show 26^th April 2015 Result

Sponsored by Horseware

1. Caroline Byrne’s Hallowberry Cruz (Alexander Butler) 0/0 46.83
2. James Egan’s Cornet Son (Edward Butler) 0/0 49.54
3. Mary McLaughlin’s Javas Wild Child (John McLaughlin) 0/0 49.94
4. Martin Walsh’s Hannibal V Overis Z (Vincent Byrne) 0/0 49.98
5. David Campbell’s Derryinver Luxury Cruise (Catherine Thornton) 0/0 53.16
6. Patrick Duggan’s Ribanbelle Tame (Peter Moloney) 0/0 53.30