Following his busy week in Balmoral International CSI2* Sven Hadley traveled to Kernan Equestrian to take the honours in the GAIN Alltech Grand Prix today. Kernan Equestrian has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Galway rider having claimed the TRM Showjumpers Spring Tour there in March aboard Uidam.
Riding the eight-year-old stallion Phenomene Bleu VDM, he lodged the winning round of clear in 39.82. Owned by Euro Horse Axel Verloy, the Belgian warmblood stallion is by Diamant De Semilly and is out of the Nabab De Reve sired dam, Nuance Bleue VDM Z. At the back end of last year, Hadley competed the stallion in Europe in CSI1* shows, taking in Lier and Nice and was placed on several occasions. Earlier in the month the pairing claimed third in the Munster Grand Prix in Garranemore and in April they claimed fourth in the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour in Mullingar.
International course designer Tom Holden set the challenge for the 21 starters and from those nine booked their place against the clock.
Nicole Kershaw partnered the Keonan Stables owned Fury to a clear in 41.60 for second place. The mare was bred by Linzi Johnson and is by Cornet Obolensky. Jamie Garland and Zedlepplin followed closely behind, delivering a clear in 41.79 for third place. Owned by her father Robert, the 14-year-old homebred gelding is by Luidam and is out of the Cavalier Royale sired dam Tillula .
It was a well worth journey for Tipperary rider Holly Miller as she slotted into fourth place aboard Oberon Van 'T Lohof. Owned by Darragh Ryan, the nine-year-old Belgian bred stallion is by Eldorado Van De Zeshoek.
Not content with the win, Hadley took another share of the prize fund, when he partnered his own Uidam to a clear in 45.28. Bred by Padraig Howley, the 15-year-old mare is by Luidam and out of the Cavalier Royale sired dam, Miss Mac Car.
Junior rider Katie McEntee proved out of luck when she finished on four faults with the eight-year-old Kinmar Bespoke in a time of 44.89 for sixth place. Owned and bred by Gerry Marron the eight-year-old gelding is by O-Piloth and is out of Absolutely Kingmar Z.