Young rider Anna Carway claimed her first victory in the Horseware/TRM Premier Series as the only double clear round in the Bagnall, Doyle and McMahon Grand Prix at South County Show.
On a weekend when young riders had come to the fore, Carway ensured this dominance was across the boards when securing the win aboard Ajaccio in Sunday’s €10,000 feature class when making their Premier debut.
Carway said, “I’m over the moon today to win my first Premier Grand Prix. I was a little disappointed not to be in Millstreet at the young rider European Championships but this was a really good consolation prize.”
Drawn at the latter stages of the six-horse decider, Carway had a clear plan in mind for the jump-off.
The young rider explained, “There were no clear rounds, the last fence was proving tricky. I knew there were two fast combinations coming after me so my plan was to be quick but to be careful – I wanted to post a clear round.”
Carway’s tactical decision paid dividends when she indeed posted a clear round with the clock showing a time of 45.27 seconds.
The former mount of Bertram Allen, the 11-year-old Caretino-sired Ajaccio has been a dependable performer for Carway. The pair have been active on the international circuit this season most recently taking a top eight finish in the three star Grand Prix in Massongy and also featured last week at the Dublin Horse Show when victorious in the 1.40m Young Rider Championship.
Rebecca McGoldrick was the fastest four faulter on the day with Horatio Van Erpekom to secure the runner-up position. The final competitor in the timed decider, the Canadian rider gave Carway a few tense moments only faulting at the final fence but logged a very good time of 42.72.
Liam O’Meara and Mr. Coolcaum, on form in the previous day’s national Grand Prix, came forward to the jump-off carrying four faults but kept to a zero score on their second outing. This aggregate score would prove good enough for eventual third place when the clock showed 44.78.
Neal Fearon and Billy On Time had a single error against the clock and completed in a time of 45.59. Fearon and the eight-year-old Billy Congo-sired gelding have shown recent form finishing in the top six of the international young horse class championship at the Dublin Horse Show.
Lieutenant David Power finished a good weekend off in style when taking the final two positions in the line-up. Power had aimed for a steady clear aboard Dollanstown proving out of luck when the final fence came down in 51.43 while Dunganstown Boy incurred a total of sixteen faults in a time of 58.32.
The leader board remains unchanged after this, the penultimate leg of the Premier Series with Francis Connors still top of the pack heading into the final round at the Meadows EC on the 21st August.
Horseware/TRM Premier Series Grand Prix League South County Show 31st July 2016 Result
Sponsored by Bagnall, Doyle and McMahon
- Ajaccio Anna Carway 0/ 0 45.27secs
- Horatio Van Erpekom Rebecca McGoldrick 0/ 4 42.72secs
- Mr Coolcaum Liam O’Meara 4/0 44.78 secs
- Billy on Time Neal Fearon 0/4 45.59 secs
- Dollanstown Lt David Power 0/4 51.43secs
- Dunganstown Boy Lt David Power 0/16 58.32 secs