It has been an exciting bank holiday weekend with the second and third legs of the National Grand Prix taking place in Portmore and Thomastown respectively.

Portmore Equestrian Centre saw twenty five entries take on Rafael Suarez’ course with only fourteen making it through to the second round. James Hogg steered Edward Hogg’s ‘Always On My Mind’ to a double clear in a time of 40.53 to take first place and the ten points on offer, also topping the rider leader board for the National Grand Prix after his third place in Louth County.

Jonathan Smyth (Ping Ball) and Stephen McManus (Red Bird Point) battled it out for second place with little over a tenth of a second separating the pair however, McManus had to settle with third position on this occasion.

It was another battle for fourth and fifth place with Philip Gaw – 48.38 (Rocky Bond) and Declan McEvoy – 48.84 (BLM Cosmopolitan) very close on time.

Liam O’Meara took hold of sixth, seventh and eight places on the day.

O’Meara who finished eighth on Helen Sheridan’s ‘Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight’ excelled even further in the ranks the following day, taking top position at Thomastown Horse Show with a double clear in a time of 28.28 over Pat Hutchinson’s course of fences.

Greg Broderick, riding Veronica Tracy’s ‘Daify’ had a double clear in 28.61 which left him in the runner up spot for the afternoon.

The next leg of the National Grand Prix will be held at Barnadown on the 7^th of May

Portmore Equestrian Centre – 29^th April 2017

1^st James Hogg/Always on My Mind 0/0 40.53

2^nd Jonathan Smyth/ Ping Ball 0/0 45.02

3^rd Stephen McManus/ Red Bird Point 0/0 45.16

4^th Philip Gaw/ Rocky Bond 0/0 48.38

5^th Declan McEvoy/ BLM Cosmopolitan Dandy 0/0 48.84

6^th Liam O’Meara/ Lincourt Lux 0/0 49.97

25 Entries

14 Into Jump - Off

Winning Owner: Edgar Hogg

Thomastown Horse Show – 30^th April 2017

1^st Liam O’Meara/ Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight 0/0 28.28

2^nd Greg Broderick/Daify 0/0 28.61

3^rd Gerard O’Neill/ Dondoctro Ryal K 0/0 31.23

4^th Francis Connors/ Lates Du Carel 0/0 31.24

5^th Martin Hynes/ Galway Brigade 0/0 33.25

6^th Gemma Phelan/ Loughnavatta Indigo 0/0 33.36

36 Entries

17 Into Jump Off

Winning Owner: Helen Sheridan

Photo Credit: Prime Photography