The SJI Premier Series concluded yesterday at The Mullingar Plusvital Horse Championships. Claiming the final leg was Comdt. Geoff Curran, while Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lui were crowned the new National Championships. Smyth is also the defending National Grand Prix Champion. Kevin Gallagher took the runner-up spot in the overall series. Both combinations head to Dublin Horse Show next week as top two combinations from the ShowjumpingIreland Premier Series.
There was a good turn out for the final round with 45 combinations going to post and from those eight proceeded to the jump-off. From the eight, just two double clears were delivered and the fastest of those was delivered by Comdt. Geoff Curran aboard Glengarra Wood in a time of 42.18. Previously owned by Lissava Stud (formerly called LVS Sportsfield), and bred by Mules Somers Glengarra Wood is a 12-year-old gelding by Capitalist and out of the Cavalier Clover Lad sired dam, Cavalier Forest. On the European circuit, they clocked up a series of impressive results, which included fifth place in the 1.50m World Cup Table A in Praha CSIO3*-W, fourth in Drammen in the CSIO3*-NC EEF RQ Grand Prix.
The second double clear was delivered by Junior rider Francis Derwin aboard Flexi K. Owned by Francis Derwin, the 10-year-old gelding was bred by Knightfield Stud and is by Flexabil and is out of the Luidam sired mare Deeply Dippy. This is a new mount for Derwin as the gelding was previously ridden by Ethen Ahearne. Under Derwin’s command they made their first appearance on the national circuit, at the young rider qualifiers at the end of June. This pairing won the GAIN Alltech National Grand Prix in Maryville.
Derwin had booked two places in the jump-off and he delivered the fastest round of the jump-off 41.23 with AHG Whiterock Cruise Down, albeit with one on the ground for third. The 14-year-old gelding was bred by Ann Gannon Clancy and by Cruising Micky Finn and is by the Touchdown sired dam, Whiterock Touch. The last big win for this combination was on home soil for this combination was in the Cooley Farm GAIN Alltech Grand Prix In Barndown in May 2022. At the start of 2023 the combination competed in Wellington, and recorded a win in the CSIU25-A 1.45m and third in CSI2* 1.45m. This combination recently won the round in Cork Summer Show.
Jonathan Smyth picked up valuable points as he slotted into fourth place with Mulvin Lui when he had one down in a time of 41.46. This combination are no strangers to success at this level, having claimed fourth in the SJI Premier Series in National Balmoral and third in the round at Tattersalls. The 10-year-old gelding is by Kroongraaf and out of the Diamond Serpent sired dam, Diamond Vicky.
Madeline Roberts Allen also came home with four faults with Celah Sue De Rialfo Z in a time of 44.07 for fifth place. The 12-year-old mare is by Coupe De Coeur and is out of Olala. This combination has been in form of late, claiming sixth place in the GAIN Alltech Grand Prix in Maryville last Sunday. This combination also finished fifth in the round in Tattersalls.
Completing the top six was Jake Hunter and Incredible when he crossed the line on four faults in 44.82. Owned by Cathal McMunn Jonathan Reape the 10 ten-year-old gelding is by Zavall VDL and is out of the Montreux sired dam, Urloma.