James Hogg triumphed in Sunday’s Gain/ Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League at the Northern Indoor Championships. Partnering Almost Persuaded, Hogg was one of only two clear rounds in the 11 horse decider to clinch the victory in the €5,000 Grand Prix sponsored by the Eglinton Equestrian Club.
Making the grade for the jump-off with two mounts, Hogg played pathfinder aboard Always On My Mind and set the target at eight faults in a time of 42.14 seconds. Hogg found a considerably shorter route home on his second attempt when stopping the clock at 37.56.
The home produced nine-year-old Ard VDL Douglas mare Almost Persuaded has shown good form of late featuring in the Ulster Region Summer Tour as well as a recent top four finish in a 1.35m at the Cavan Indoor Championships.
Hogg, with the maximum ten points gained for the win on Sunday, does intend to follow the league with Cavan in two weeks’ time as the next show on his agenda.
Simon Scott was the only other rider to record a fault free round. Scott, early to go in the jump-off with the seven-year-old Jasmine Tide, had set a more sedate time of 43.60.
Jonathan Smyth had shown the time could be beaten when logging 34.25 with Charlton Clio but had to settle for the yellow rosette with a single error. Smyth had been on form throughout the weekend, jumping five clear rounds to take the runner up position in Saturday’s Eglinton Irish Masters.
Emily Turkington was fractions off the leading time with Legend across the line in 37.58 but was put out of contention with an early fence.
Young rider Hannah Patterson was another to make an attempt on the leader making it home in 38.46 but again a single fence came down. Patterson was paired with Douglas W, her winning mount from the previous night’s Masters.
Peter Smyth completed the line up with The Windmill Uno. Smyth had four faults in a time of 40.08.
Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League Eglinton 9th October 2016 Full Result
Sponsored by Eglinton Equestrian Club
- Almost Persuaded James Hogg 0/0 37.56
- Jasmine Tide Simon Scott 0/0 43.60
- Charlton Clio Jonathan Smyth 0/4 34.25
- Legend Emily Turkington 0/4 37.58
- Douglas W Hannah Patterson 0/4 38.46
- The Windmill Uno Peter Smyth 0/4 40.08