2011 TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League Champion, Peter Smyth claimed his first big win on the National circuit of the year as he steered James McKean's Victoria Rose to victory in the fifth leg of the TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League at Cavan Equestrian Centre on Sunday.
The Strabane native has had a very successful partnership with the Limmerick mare having been an integral part to Smyth's win in the League in 2011 and also towards the riders Autumn Grand Prix League win that same year. She was also a winner throughout her younger years in the ISH Showjumping Series.
Smyth came out best of all in a hard fought Jump off that saw 16 riders make it through to the second round over the track set by International Course Designer Peter Gillespie and it proved to be a very quick class. Fourth rider into the ring, Smyth produced a round that could not be matched stopping the clock in 29.58.
Reigning TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League Champion Greg Broderick did all he could to catch Smyth as he was last to go on recent winner Golden Exchange and Broderick set a time of 30.76 to slot into second in his attempt to record his third win in this year league. Broderick remains in pole position however on 31 points following this runner up finish. Lisa Cawley's Golden Exchange is also leading the Horse Leaderboard on 21 points.
Mayo's Padraic Judge and the ever consistent Hello Spider slotted into third place with a time of 31.86. Last year's Cavan Indoor Derby winner was taking part in only his second Grand Prix of the year and there is surely more to come from this pairing in the months ahead.
The Army Equitation School's Capt. Brian Curran Cournane took his first Grand Prix placing with the Minister for Defence's Starboard. The son of Cruising was last year ridden by Capt. Michael Kelly and Cournane has recently taken over the ride and produced a fine double clear to break the beam at 32.32 for fourth place.
Young Rider Robert Harrison took fifth with Cruise Touch while Declan Egan appears to have a really good mount with Richard Bourns's Creme Brule taking sixth in their first outing together.
The next leg in the TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League takes place at Ravensdale next Sunday.
TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix - Cavan
1st Peter Smyth/Victoria Rose 0/0 29.58
2nd Greg Broderick/Golden Exchange 0/0 30.76
3rd Padraic Judge/Hello Spider 0/0 31.86
4th Capt. Brian Curran Cournane/Starboard 0/0 32.32
5th Robert Harrison/Cruise Touch 0/0 32.40
6th Declan Egan/Creme Brule 0/0 34.14.