Wet weather continued to dampen the mood in the Horseware/TRM Premier Series but conditions proved just right for Francis Connors and Erne Ladygoldilocks when triumphing at Cork Summer Show.
Connors said, “The main aim today was to try and finish in the top three to qualify for the international classes in Dublin. I knew I wouldn’t be the fastest but if I could get a clear round it would put pressure on the others. I had a little slip heading into the double but she got me out of trouble and I ended up with a decent clear.”
Connors time of 50.02 seconds proved irrelevant after all when the Co. Waterford based rider supplied the only double clear of the six horse jump-off to clinch the win in the €10,000 class sponsored by the Munster Agricultural Society. Sunday’s result saw Connors take pole position on the top of the leader board, a certainty now for the internationals at the Dublin Horse Show.
Connors has produced Hugh Fitzpatrick’s nine-year-old Ard VDL Douglas-sired mare Erne Lady Goldilocks and said, “This is just the culmination of all the hard work over the years to win her first Premier Grand Prix. Dublin is another stepping stone to see what level we are at and what we are going to achieve but at the minute I’d be pretty hopeful that she can go on and be successful at the next level. I’ll try to finish off the Premier Series and see if we can hold on to the lead. It won’t be easy there are some very good horses and riders behind us but we will do our best to hold on. ”
Edward Doyle took the runner-up position with Derryinver Luxury Cruise as the fastest of the four faulters. The pair recorded a time of 46.84 to secure the first Premier points in the partnership.
A new mount to Doyle this season, the Lux Z-sired stallion is proving a dependable performer with the pair featuring consistently in the National Grand Prix League. Having only taken up the reins in May, Doyle has secured placings the legs in Ballinsloe, Ballivor and the previous day’s round in Cork.
Edward Butler proved just off this pace aboard Cornet Son, coming home in 47.70 but also adding a single error to mar an otherwise clean sheet.
Tattersalls National Grand Prix winners Captain Geoff Curran and Shannondale Rahona had to settle for the green rosette on this occasion when also incurring four faults, across the line in 51.72.
Completing the line-up were Darryl Walker (Riverside Ace) and Lieutenant David Power (Dollanstown) both finishing on a score of twelve faults.
Horseware/TRM Premier Series Grand Prix League Cork Summer Show 10th July 2016 Result
Sponsored by the Munster Agricultural Society
- Erne Ladygoldilocks Francis Connors 0/0 50.20
- Derryinver Luxury Cruise Edward Doyle 0/4 46.84
- Cornet Son Edward Butler 0/4 47.70
- Shannondale Rahona Captain Geoff Curran 0/4 51.72