Liam O’Meara increased his considerable lead in the Showjumping Ireland National Grand Prix League when triumphing in Friday’s penultimate round at the Irish Breeders Classic Show at Barnadown Showjumping.

O’Meara beat off opposition in the 14-horse decider when setting the time to beat at 38.24 seconds with Mr. Coolcaum to claim the honours in the €4,000 class sponsored by George Mullins Horse Transport and Harry & Leslie Fitzpatrick.

O’Meara emerged as a clear leader of the league with four back-to-back victories earlier in the season and Friday’s result is the Co. Tipperary based riders seventh win to date.  The 13-year-old Coolcaum Hill-sired Mr. Coolcaum has also triumphed in the rounds in Charleville, Galway EC and Barnadown back in May while the nine-year-old Jacomar-sired Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight won at Cork Summer Show, Cavan EC and Thomastown.

While O’Meara had established a comfortable margin of two seconds over his nearest rivals the next three placings were decided by mere fractions. Nicholas Butler came out on top in the fight for second place with Vimminka when stopping the clock at 40.08.

Butler has shown exceptional form over the last few weeks with a win in the round of the league at Maryville EC as well as two runner-up placings in the New Heights Champions Series legs at Tattersalls and the Meadows EC.

John Floody came home just off this pace with Ballyknock Diamond across the line in 40.14 while just under a half second behind him was Edward Doyle recording 40.61 aboard Derryinver Luxury Cruise.

Sophie Dalm put in a solid performance with Remake Lande to log a fault free 42.44 which would secure fifth position while aiming for a steady clear and erring on the side of caution was Maria Vozone with the 12-year-old Caretino-sired Alonso N, incurring a single time penalty in 50.38.

The final round of the Showjumping Ireland National Grand Prix League takes place next weekend on the 10^th September at the Maryville Horse Championships. Liam O’Meara sits comfortably on the top of the leader board on 89 points, an insurmountable lead over second placed Francis Connors.

Showjumping Ireland National Grand Prix League Barnadown Showjumping 1st September 2017 Result

1. Liam O'Meara             Mr. Coolcaum            0/0 38.24
2. Nicholas Butler           Vimminka                   0/0 40.08
3. John Floody                Ballyknock Diamond 0/0 40.14
4. Edward Doyle                        Derryinver Luxury Cruise 0/0 40.61
5. Sophie Dalm               Remake Lande            0/0 42.44
6. Maria Vozone             Alonso N                    0/1 50.38
7. Patrick Hickey            Quandurina     0/4 41.17     ( highest placed young rider)
8. Tholm Keane               BMH Big Time           0/4 42.37