Gemma Phelan from Cappagh Co Waterford stole the show at Thursday’s Tallow Gymkhana in Co Waterford, by taking both first and third place in the feature Grand Prix class.
Bathed in sunshine and with excellent ground conditions, Tallow was hosting round 7 of the Connolly's RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League, and Gemma Phelan beat of the challenge of 29 fellow competitors to take the win riding G.R.C Tadmus.
Course builder Anne Waistel saw 14 combination make it into the jump-off including most of the title contenders desperate for league points.
Gemma Phelan had previously shown excellent form in the Balinamona round of the series, finishing in fourth and fifth place.
At Tallow Gymkhana however, the Cappagh rider faired even better, expertly piloting Rory Costigan’s 7 year old Tadmus gelding G.R.C Tadmus to victory, finishing double clear in 36.50 seconds.
League leader Francis Connors finished runner up with the Bobby Flynn owned Hyperion, stopping the clock just 4 hundredths of a second slower than the winner.
Gemma Phelan took another slice of the €3,000 prize money on offer when finishing third with her own Kilcannon Brigade (38.50). Once again Peter Moloney featured among the top places, the Colligan rider finished in fourth with Ribanbelle Tame after another clear round (38.96).
Reigning champion Seamus Hayes took some valuable league points when finishing fifth with Barichello (42.98) while Francis Connors and Bullit completed the top 6 again keeping all poles intact in a time of 42.98 seconds.
The next round of the Connolly's RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League takes place at Clonmel Show this Sunday with Francis Connors holding an 8 point lead over Tipperary's Seamus Hayes and Colligan's Peter Moloney who are tied for second.
Liam O Meara lies in fourth place on 28 points while Gemma Phelan has moved up to fifth place on 17 points. following her excellent display at Tallow.
CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEAGUE
Tallow Gymkhana Co Waterford, Thursday 04/07/2013
1st Gemma Phelan/GRC Tadmus C/C 36.50
2nd Francis Connors/Hyperion C/C 36.54
3rd Gemma Phelan/Kiltannon Brigade C/C 38.50
4th Peter Moloney/Ribanbelle Tame C/C 38.96
5th Seamus Hayes/Barichello C/C 42.98
6th Francis Connors/Bullit C/C 43.51
29 Starters 14 into jump – off