Emma Mc Entee got her summer season off to a great start as she claimed the opening round of the GAIN Alltech National Grand Prix at the Meadows last Sunday. Riding the John Hoyne owned RHS Blue, the County Down Young rider clocked the winning round of clear in 37.99. Bred by Deirdre McGuckian, the nine-year-old mare is by Cheers Cassini and out of the Cruisings Micky Finn sired dam, Tullibards Ask Benny. Since taking over the ride from Brendan Murphy at the start of the year, McEntee has clocked up a series of good results in the TRM Showjumpers Spring Tour, which includes the runner-up spot in Cavan in February, fifth in Portmore, and second in the Meadows last month. The combination also claimed victory in the 1.35m Balmoral Qualifier in Portmore last month. Not content with the win, Mc Entee also took sixth place, when she put in a safe clear with the eight-year-old, Boss Quality. Bred by Brian Treacy, thus gelding is by OBOS Quality 004 and out of Treacys Clover. This combination will be ones to watch this season. Amongst their good results towards the back end of 2021 was a runner-up finish in the HSI Development Series in Portmore. There was a good turnout for the first round of the popular series, with 61 combinations battling it out for the £4000 on offer. Of the original starters, 23 answered all the questions set by course designer Aaron Mc Cusker in the first round. Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick came closest to catching the winner, as she crossed the line with nothing to add in a time of 38.88 with Keatingstown Skorphults Joker. Keatingstown Skorphults Joker is a seven-year-old German bred gelding. He was bred by Gestut Lewitz and is by Conthargos and out of the Chacco Blue sired dam, Conthargos. A new mount for Fitzpatrick, the gelding was previously campaigned by Ian Fives and before this Harold Megahey. Young rider Rhys Williams was fractions off Fizpatrick’s time when he lodged a clear round in a time of 39.16 aboard the Williams Sport Horse owned Conthanja PS for third place. This nine-year-old mare is by Conthargos and out of the Grand Step sired dam Grand Ronja. Fourth place was filled by Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out who came home clear in a time of 39.79 seconds. Owned by Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig, this ten-year-old gelding is by Kroongraaf and out of the Diamond Serpent sired dam, Diamond Vicky. Susan Fitzpatrick took another share of the prize fund when she delivered another clear with her mother Sharon’s Keatingstown Quite Chacco in a time of 40.60. Bred by Jana Kleszczova, the nine-year-old geling is by Quaid and out of Chacco Blue sired dam, Chicca Blue.