Captain Geoff Curran completed a double victory at Tattersalls Show when taking the honours not only in the Showjumping Ireland National Grand Prix but also triumphing in the eighth leg of the TRM/Horseware New Heights Champions Series.
Partnered with Shannondale Rahona, Curran supplied the fastest of only three double clear rounds to secure the win in Sunday’s €10,000 feature class. Coming out in front in a nine-way decider Curran set the time to beat at 48.82 seconds.
By Shannondale St. Ghyvan Z, Shannondale Rahona is out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam Cavalier Hill. A dependable mount for Curran, the 11-year-old mare contributed last season to Curran’s Premier Series Champion title and this season has been active on the international circuit including a top five finish in the CSI3* Grand Prix in Arezzo in April.
Nicholas Butler continued his run of good form with Vimminka when taking the runner-up position. Negotiating the shortened and raised jump-off with ease, Butler stopped the clock at 49.48.
Butler and the 15-year-old Nabab de Reve-sired mare have already featured in the New Heights Champions Series with a top five finish in the opening round at Louth County while the previous round at Balmoral saw them move up the line-up to fourth place.
Francis Connors was the only other rider to keep a zero score on the day. Riding the Ard VDL Douglas-sired Erne Ladygoldilocks, Connors aimed for a steady clear which he duly delivered recording 54.05.
Alexander Butler coming forward with a clean sheet, looked on target with the eight-year-old Eldorado but incurred a single error in a time of 50.60. This would prove good enough for eventual fourth place.
Clem McMahon had picked up four faults in the first round with Hilton Pacato but had no such trouble in the clocked round. However he proved fractionally slower than Butler, posting 50.66.
McMahon has been consistent in the Series winning in Mullingar and placing second on three occasions at Galway County, Cork Summer Show and Balmoral.
Kenneth Graham also came forward carrying four faults from the first round with George. Graham took the cautious approach on his second time out to ensure a clear round and came home in 55.64 to complete the top six.
The New Heights Champions Series will have a break now returning on the 20th August at the Meadows Equestrian Centre.
TRM/Horseware New Heights Championship Series Tattersalls Show 23 July 2017 Result
- Shannondale Rahona Captain Geoff Curran 0/0 48.82
- Vimminka Nicholas Butler 0/0 49.48
- Erne Ladygoldilocks Francis Connors 0/ 0 54.05
- Eldorado (KWPN) Alexander Butler 0/ 4 50.60
- Hilton Pacato Clem McMahon 4/0 50.66
- George (Ibh) Kenneth Graham 4/0 55.64
- Ballyknock Diamond John Floody 0/ 4 55.92
- Derryinver Luxury Cruise Edward Doyle 4/4 54.27
- Chinook 11 Greg Broderick 0/ 9 67.57
- Ringwood Glen Captain Geoff Curran 4/