Kenneth Graham closed the curtains on the four-day Cavan Senior, Junior, Young Rider and Children on Horses show this weekend as the victor of the fifth leg of the Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League.

Partnering George, Graham came out fastest in an 18-horse decider to clinch the victory in the €2,000 feature class sponsored by Cavan Equestrian Centre. Graham set the time to beat at 39.34 seconds, a standard which proved unattainable for the remaining riders.

Graham took over the ride on George from Kelda Morgan last month. Produced by Morgan up to Grand Prix level George has numerous wins to his name and Graham has gelled quickly with the experienced 13-year-old Touchdown-sired gelding.

Cavan has already proven to be a good venue for the two with their debut show at the Cavan Indoor Championships seeing the pair finish in the top eight of the Snaffles Indoor Derby.

Junior rider Jack Ryan, second in last week’s leg at Wexford EC, has seen a good run of form of late and once again secured the runner-up position with nine-year-old Glidawn Diamond-sired mare Cavalier Teaca. Coming at the tail end of the jump-off Ryan made a heroic effort at the time but came home fractions in arrears when the clock showed 39.52.

Hannah Patterson secured the yellow rosette when across the line in 40.15 with Daberlina M. Patterson is another young rider that has been in the limelight recently having won the Eglinton Irish Masters with her other mount Douglas W.

The times drifted wide of this mark for the remainder of the placings with Shane Dalton as the next fastest albeit with a more sedate time of 45.20 aboard Clonguish Vivaro. The seven-year-old Vivaldo Van Het Costersveld-sired gelding is one of the mounts that contributed to Dalton’s success in the Connaught Sunshine Windows and Doors 1.35m Grand Prix league.

Edward Doyle aimed for a steady clear round with the Diamant de Semilly-sired stallion Chirokko M and duly delivered, earning fifth position in the line-up when recording 49.72 while Edward Butler provided the cut off point for the top six when steering Cornet Son over the finish line in 52.41.

Jack Ryan has taken the lead in the league at this point with a total of 16 points heading into next week’s double header. Portmore EC will host the next leg on Saturday 29^th October while Killossery Lodge Stud completes the weekends jumping on Monday 31^st.

Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League Cavan EC 23^rd October 2016 Full Result

Sponsored by Cavan Equestrian Centre

1. George                                    Kenneth Graham         0/0/39.34
2. Cavalier                                   Teaca Jack Ryan          0/0/39.52
3. Daberlina M                             Hannah Patterson        0/0/40.15
4. Clonguish Vivaro                     Shane Dalton               0/0/45.20
5. Chirokko M                              Edward Doyle               0/0/49.72
6. Cornet Son                              Edward Butler              0/0/52.41