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O’Meara Bros Win West Clare’s Red Mills Munster GP and FBD Speed Series

News Desk — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 05:39:11 +0000

The O’Meara brothers from Nenagh Co Tipperary dominated the feature classes at West Clare Show on Saturday, with Liam O’Meara winning the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix, while his younger brother Martin O’Meara claimed the FBD Speed Series.

With Francis Connors starting to open a big gap at the top of the grand prix league table, Liam O’Meara knew he needed a good result this weekend to maintain his hopes of winning the title - and he did just that, scoring a convincing win with Mr Coolcaum while he also finished as runner-up with Curraghaigue Jack Take Fligh.

Just six horses and riders made it into the jump-off and along with Liam O’Meara, Paul Beecher was the only other rider to produce a double clear, the former Hickstead Derby winner finishing third with Crusing Stan.

Noelle Barry and Norway Venture produced the second fastest time of the day but one fence down left them in fourth, just ahead of Maura Counihan and Killerisk Minne in fifth while Mark Duffy and Puesta De Sol completed the top six.

In the curtain opening FBD Speed Series, Martin O’Meara finished in pole position with “The Cobbler” and aptly named mount for a rider who works as a farrier. They finished half-a-second ahead of Paul Beecher who filled three of the top four places. Beecher grabbed runner-up spot with Danou, third place with Britt, while he also finished fourth with Loughnatousa Zidane.

Liam O’Meara slotted into fifth with Cloghera Me while Limerick’s Gary Cusack took sixth place aboard Van Cougar, with all of the top six producing double-clear rounds.

Connolly’s RED MLLS Munster Grand Prix League – West Clare - 04/07/2015

1. Liam O’Meara/Mr Coolcaum 0/0 37.62

2. Liam O’Meara/Curraghaigue Jack Take Fligh 0/0 38.86

3. Paul Beecher/Crusing Stan 0/0 47.78

4. Noelle Barry/ Norway Venture 0/4 38.56

5. Maura Counihan/Killerisk Minnie 0/4 40.06

6. Mark Duffy/Puesta De Sol 0/8 39.50

17 Starters

6 Into Jump-off

FBD SPEED SERIES – WEST CLARE – 04/07/2015

1. Martin O’Meara/The Cobbler 0/0 30.80

2. Paul Beecher/Danou 0/0 31.31

3. Paul Beecher/Britt 0/0 31.47

4. Paul Beecher/Loughnatousa Zidane 0/0 31/71

5. Liam O’Meara/ Cloghera Me 0/0 31/86

6. Gary Cusack/ Van Cougar 0/0 39.69

26 Starters

Connolly’s RED MILLS Brand Ambassadors Enjoy Incredible Weekend

News Desk — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 06:06:24 +0000

Dermott Lennon with Loughview Lou-Lou at Jumping In the City Shelbourne Park, photo Sonya Dempsey

Connolly’s RED MILLS Brand Ambassadors Dermott Lennon, Trevor Breen, Bertram Allen and Billy Twomey all produced stunning performances with their super-star horses this weekend, in Ireland the UK and mainland Europe.

Co Down’s Dermott Lennon began the Team RED MILLS March when he added yet another major win to his list of achievements, triumphing in The Underwriting Exchange Limited Grand Prix at a packed “Jumping In The City” Final in Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium, Dublin on Friday.

The Banbridge rider and the Judith Sossick owned Irish Sport Horse mare Loughview Lou-Lou, were last to go in the deciding jump-off and cheered on by up-to 3,000 spectators they shaved just over half-a-second off the target time set by Kildare’s Alexander Butler and Vimminka, to be crowned champions in a competition worth €15,000.

Lennon, who is a former World Show Jumping Champion, had an incredibly busy few days, as along with competing at the Jumping In The City Final he was also in action at the Hickstead Derby meeting in the UK, making a dash between UK and Irish airports in order to jump at both venues.

Shelbourne Park marked the final leg of the 2015 Jumping In The City series, which has also seen huge crowds attend at greyhound stadia in both Limerick and Cork earlier this month.

Meanwhile on Sunday, another RED MILLS team rider Trevor Breen, claimed the famous Hickstead Derby for the second year in a row.

Bertram Allen and Molly Malone

Tipperary native Breen, who last year won the Derby on Adventure de Kannan, took an early clear round with Patricia Brown’s Irish Sport Horse Loughnatousa WB and then had to watch 30 other competitors attempt to come home with a matching zero score. In an unusual twist, Breen also competed Adventure de Kannan in the Derby, effectively jumping against himself, but Karen Swann’s gelding had two rails down to finish further down the field.

With no other clear rounds recorded in the competition, Breen took home Hickstead’s Boomerang Derby Trophy and the 42,000 euro winner’s prize, with yet another Team RED MILLS rider, Cork’s Billy Twomey coming closest to his fellow countryman with just four faults on Diaghilev, finishing in equal second place.

Afterwards Breen said: “It’s amazing to win this famous competition two years in a row. I was very nervous at the end, as the last few horses came out, and my fingernails were bitten right down. Loughnatousa B was magnificent, and he’ll have a couple of weeks off now.”

To crown a superb weekend for Connolly’s RED MILLS horses and riders, Bertram Allen jumped what looked like an almost effortless two rounds in the Netherlands Grand Prix with Ballywalter Farms’s mare Molly Malone V, speeding home in the 13 horse jump-off in a blistering 42.79 seconds. Austria’s Julia Kayser came closest to Allen with the stallion Sterrehof’s Cayetano Z, but was over four seconds off the pace of the world’s number five-ranked rider.

Co Wexford teenager Bertram Allen collected a stunning Mercedes CLA car as his prize for the Grand Prix victory.

Ballinamona Prepares For Fifth Round of Connolly’s Red Mills GP

News Desk — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 08:33:00 +0000

The Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league resumes this weekend, with Ballinamona Equestrian Centre just outside Waterford City hosting the fifth round of the series on Sunday.

The biggest field of the season so far have declared for action, with a huge 58 horses and riders on the start-list, including league-leader Francis Connors and Uskerty Diamond Lady.

Cork’s Alan O Regan currently lies in second spot with Electric Feel, 13 points behind the leader, but with the series yet to reach the halfway point everything is still to play for.

The fifth round of the FBD Speed Series will kick off the action at Ballinamona, a competition which has proved a huge hit with spectators. Waterford’s Paul Beecher and Tipperary’s Liam O Meara have been the standout performers in the FBD Speed Series so far with two wins apiece and both riders will line out again this weekend at the Waterford venue.

Connors Claims Munster GP While Beecher Claims FBD Series

News Desk — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:27:30 +0000

For the second time this season, Francis Connors and Uskerty Diamond Lady proved unbeatable in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league, this time at Aglish Gymkhana in West Waterford where spectators were treated to a thrilling edge-of-the–seat climax to a brilliant jump-off.

Eight horses in riders made it through to the second round after course builder Anne Waistell got the balance just about perfect in round one and Francis Connors set the early target when clear in 47.56 seconds with Capitol Cruise. Cork’s Alan O Regan then really set the jump-ff alight knocking a massive seven seconds off the target with Electric Feel and they would eventually hold on to finish fourth.

Peter Moloney from Colligan in Dungarvan then produced a superb clear round with the Pat Duggan owned mare Ribanbelle Tame and their time of 38.79 seconds looked almost unbeatable. Seamus Hayes was next to go and he produced a great effort with Jerry Sweetnam’s striking grey Corphin, finishing clear in 40.14 seconds to move into second.

However a competition is never over when Francis Connors is left to jump and just as he has done so many times in the past, the Waterford rider kept his composure on the way to a stunning clear in 37.92 seconds with the Hilda Anthony owned Uskerty Diamond Lady who was bred by John Doyle of Uskerty Horses Ireland.

The Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league now moves to Midleton in Co Cork for the fourth round, with Francis Connors and Uskerty Diamond Lady on top of the table with 20 points.

PAUL BEECHER AND LOUGHNATOUSA ZIDANE SCORE SECOND FBD SPEED SERIES WIN AT AGLISH GYMKAHNA

Co Waterford’s Paul Beecher scored his second FBD Speed Series win of the season on Sunday, this time at Aglish Gymkhana in West Waterford where once again the Tallow born rider was riding Loughnatousa Zidane.

Former Hickstead Derby winner Beecher, had also come out on top in the FBD Speed Series opener at Ballylawn with the eight-year-old Temple Clover chestnut gelding and they beat off 53 fellow competitors at Aglish after a brilliant clear round in the two-phase competition, stopping the clock in 36.98 seconds.

Cork young rider Daniel Joyce claimed runner up spot with Loughnatousa Cisco, finishing just three hundredths of a second slower than the winner with the 10-year-old Krafty Clover gelding, while Deirdre Doyle was close behind in third (37.24) with Done Cruising.

Less than a second separated the top five finishers with Daniel Joyce also taking fourth place with Marvellous Marvin (37.46), just ahead reigning national grand prix league champion Vincent Byrne in fifth with Colorado, while Dungarvan young rider Nicolas Connors finished fifth with Lantino 31.

The FBD Speed Series now moves to Co Cork, with Midleton hosting the fourth round this Sunday (May 24th)

Result – Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League Aglish Gymkhana Co Waterford 17/05/2015

1. Francis Connors/Uskerty Diamond Lady 0/0 37.92

2. Peter Moloney/Rinanbelle Tame 0/0 38.79

3. Seamus Hayes/Corphin 0/0 40.14

4. Alan O Regan/Electric Feel 0/0 40.44

5. Francis Connors/Capitol Cruise 0/0 47.56

6. Anthony O Regan/Velvet Blackjack 0/5 54.84

7. Peter Moloney/Ballyconnery Wood 0/8 42.62

8. Seamus Hayes/Barichello W 0/8 45.01

32 Starters

8 Into Jump-off

Result – FBD Speed Series Aglish Gymkhaha Co Waterford 17/05/2015

1. Paul Beecher/Loughnatousa Zidane 0/0 36.98

2. Daniel Joyce/Loughnatousa Cisco 0/0 37.01

3. Deirdre Doyle/Done Cruising 0/0 37.24

4. Danile Joyce/Marvellous Marvin 0/0 37.46

5. Vincent Byrne/Colorado 0/0 37.79

6. Nicolas D Connors/Lantino 31 0/0 38.49

53 starters

Final of Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Grand Prix League This Sunday

News Desk — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 07:02:48 +0000

After 14 thrilling rounds held throughout the Munster province, the 2014 Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League comes to a conclusion this Sunday, as the €20,000 Banteer Gymkhana at Cork Showgrounds hosts the final leg of the series, with the league title still hanging in the balance.

A titanic battle has developed between Waterford’s Francis Connors and Tipperary’s Seamus Hayes, who between them have won 12 of the 14 rounds so far and this weekend both riders will be hoping to land that final victory which would see them lift the trophy.

Francis Connors is in pole position, holding a seven point lead over Hayes following wins at West Clare, Charleville, Newcastle West, Limerick and Dualla. However on several occasions this year just when it looked as though Connors was pulling away from his nearest rival, Seamus Hayes has hit back with several wins of his own, at Middleton, Tallow, Clonmel, Cork, Maryville and Scariff.

Realistically Seamus Hayes needs a top three finish at Banteer and he also needs Francis Connors to finish outside the points, anything less and Connors will retain the Connolly’s RED MILLS title he won in 2013.

Along with what promises to be an exciting end to the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League, Banteer Gymkhana has a packed programme of top class show jumping on offer at the excellent facilities in Cork Showgrounds, at what is one of the richest one day shows in Ireland.

Arena 1 will host the Ballymaloe Relish His & Hers finals with a whopping €2,000 on offer, while one of the highlights in arena 2 will be the final of the Munster Greyhound Night 1.10m league with another €1,500 up for grabs.

Arena 3 will host the Premier Pony Grand Prix League Finals, with no less than €4,000 spread across four top class pony competitions, while in arena 4, the Springboard Pony finals sponsored by the Munster Greyhound Funraiser, will see a further €2,000 prize fund.

The Munster Red & Blue Pony finals will take place in arena 5, with another €3,000 on offer for some of the best novice ponies currently on the circuit.

Action at this Sunday’s not to be missed Banteer Gymkhana gets underway at 9am, with the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League final starting at 2pm.

Broderick Crowned Irish National Show Jumping Champion

News Desk — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 07:11:02 +0000

Newly crowned Irish National Show Jumping champion, Tipperary’s Greg Broderick, pictured riding MHS Going Global (ISH) who was named leading horse of the Premier Series, photo Sonya Dempsey Jumpingnews.com

Tipperary’s Greg Broderick has been crowned “Irish National Show Jumping Champion” for the very first time, having topped the Premier Series league table following Sunday’s final round at Coilog Equestrian Centre in Co Kildare.

Written by Brian Hennessy

Victories in the eight round, €80,000 series at Cork and Tattersalls, along with runner-up finishes at Balmoral and in the concluding round at Coilog, saw the Thurles native comfortably top the Premiere Series league table, for which the winner is awarded the title of Irish National Champion.

Greg Broderick’s title clinching second place finish at Coilog came aboard the Elizabeth Forte owned eight year old mare Javas Keltic Mist (ISH), while in further boost, another of Broderick’s string of horses, the Irish Sport Horse MHS Going Global who is owned by Caledonia Stables, was named leading horse of the Premier Series following two wins and a second place finish for the eight year-old gelding.

Speaking afterwards Greg Broderick said,

“I am absolutely delighted to be named Irish National Champion and I have to pay tribute to the incredible owners of these wonderful horses that I am lucky enough to ride and also to all the team at Ballypatrick Stables who work so hard behind the scenes to make this possible”.

Broderick was crowned National Grand Prix champion in 2012 and 2013 while he also won the World Championship for 5 year old horses last year with Arraghbeg Clover.

In August, Greg Broderick completed an incredible hat-trick by winning all three Horse Sport Ireland young horse championships at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

Iverk Show To Host Connolly’s Red Mills Sponsored Round of LST This Sat

News Desk — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:00:15 +0000

Ireland’s oldest annual agricultural event, The Iverk Show, takes place this Saturday August 23rd at it’s usual venue in Piltown Co Kilkenny.

Founded in 1826, The Iverk Show continues to attract increasing numbers of visitors and exhibitors annually, with this Saturday’s event promising to be one of the biggest ever in its history.

The main feature in the show jumping arena will be the €2,000 Connolly’s RED MILLS sponsored ninth round of the Leinster Summer Tour (LST), which resumes following a break for the Dublin Horse Show and Millstreet International.

Peter Smyth currently tops the league table with Adminiran Cassio on 25 points with Kieran Carey (Hip Boy) and Daniel Coyle (Uptown Girl) both tied for second with 19 points each. Gary Quinn with Renoli are just one point further back, while Gerard Clarke (Kings Best) and John Floody (Athey’s Toscana) are in joint fifth position on 15 points.

Meanwhile an additional leg of the Leinster Summer Tour has been announced at Coilog Equestrian on Sunday 31st August, before the final round of the series during the Irish Breeders Classic at Barnadown in September.

Cian O’Connor and Aramis 573 Win Connolly’s RED MILLS 7 & 8 year old International Final

News Desk — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 06:57:58 +0000

Cian O Connor and Aramis 573, Connolly’s RED MILLS 7 & 8 year old International Champions at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show, photo Sonya Dempsey Jumpingnews.com

Ireland’s Olympic Bronze Medallist Cian O Connor riding Aramis 573, were crowned 2014 Connolly’s RED MILLS 7 & 8 year old International champions, following three thrilling competitions at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

Written by Brian Hennessy

A world class line up which included current world cup champion Daniel Duesser from Germany, Swedish super-star Malin Baryard Johnsson and current world number one Scott Brash from Great Britain, joined a list of Ireland’s top riders with their 7 & 8 year old horses, in a competition which began with two qualifying rounds on Wednesday and Friday at the RDS, before Sunday’s grand final in the main arena, just before the Longines Grand Prix of Ireland.

USA based Irish rider Darragh Kenny and Chin Quidam VDL, landed both Wednesday’s opening speed class and Friday’s second qualifying round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS International 7 & 8 year old competition, however Sunday’s final in the RDS saw Meath based Cian O Connor lift The “Corry” Perpetual Challenge Trophy, after a brilliant performance with the eight year old stallion Aramis 573.

Ten of the 22 starters made it into the jump-off, with riders from six different nations taking their chances against the clock, but at the finish it was Cian O Connor who grabbed the Connolly’s RED MILLS sponsored winners prize with Aramis 573, who is by the stallion Askari out of a dam by Campione.

Speaking afterwards, Cian O Connor spoke about his winning mount, who came to him earlier this year having previously competed in Austria,

“This was only my second show with this horse, I have only had him a few months. He is still a bit green but is a very fast horse, he has won a lot already as a 5, 6 and 7 year-old in Austria before I got him. His rideability needs to improve a bit but he has a super technique and I don’t think there is a course he can’t jump and if he does make it to the highest level at least he now has already been in this arena at the RDS”.

Cian O Connor went on to praise the sponsors saying,

“It is a very good class and a lot of credit must go to the sponsors Connolly’s RED MILLS, it is great to see the Irish horses that qualified to get here, compete against some of the best 7 & 8 year old horses in the world”.

Darragh Kenny was again among the prizes in the final, taking runner up spot with another stallion Chin Quidam VDL, while Nicola Fitzgibbon made sure Ireland filled the top three places, coming home in third with the Irish Sport Horse Shantonagh.

British Aga Khan team member Joe Clee slotted into fourth with Gamko S, while Belgian rider Peter Devos finished fifth with Guicci DV.

The top ranked rider in the world, Scott Brash had to settle for sixth place in the Connolly’s RED MILS final with the highest placed mare in the class Hello M’Lady, while Tipperary’s Greg Broderick was the next best placed Irish rider finishing ninth with Javas Keltic Mist.

Full Result - Connolly’s RED MILLS 7 & 8 year-old International Final – Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show 10/08/2014

1. Cian O Connor(IRL)/Aramis 573 0/0 41.85

2. Darragh Kenny(IRL)/Chin Quidam VDL 0/0 42.31

3 Nicola Fitzgibbon(IRL)/Shantonagh(ISH) 0/0 44.27

4. Joe Clee(GBR)/Gamko S 0/0 45.21

5. Pieter Devos(BEL)/Guicci DV 0/0 46.04

6. Scott Brash(GBR)/Hello M’Lady

Seamus Hayes and Chipolini VMZ Enjoy RED MILLS Grand Prix Win

News Desk — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 07:26:53 +0000

Seamus Hayes and the stallion Chipolini VMZ, photo credit Sonya Dempsey

Tipperary’s Seamus Hayes captured the sixth round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league, at Tallow Gymkhana in Co Waterford, with the Tina McDermott owned Chipolini VMZ.

Written by Brian Hennessy

Hayes, who has just returned from a very successful outing at the Hickstead Derby in the UK, came out on top after a mammoth fifteen horse jump-off with the very exciting stallion Chipolini, who is just a seven year old and is by Cassini II out of a Heartbreaker dam. The pairing were one of five double clear rounds in a competition which saw 33 starters, the winning combination crossing the finish line in 43 seconds even.

Another Tipp rider, Liam O Meara, grabbed runner up spot with the ever consistant Mr Coolcaum (45.88), while current league leader Francis Connors finished third with GRC Tadmus (50.45), a horse formerly ridden by fellow Waterford rider Gemma Phelan.

Wexford’s Thomas Doyle finished fourth with the nine year old mare Ballycapple Mist, while Cork’s Timmy Doyle was another to jump a double clear round, taking fifth spot with the Kay Doyle owned JS Bucks.

Tadagh Beecher was jumping on home soil in Tallow, and grabbed sixth place with one fence down against the clock aboard Loughnatousa Blakeney Crannagh.

The Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league now heads to Clonmel Show, for round seven of the series this Sunday 6 June, with Francis Connors still topping the league table.

Seamus Hayes win at Tallow has moved him into second position while Peter Moloney lies in third.

Full Result – Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League – Round 6 - Tallow Gymkhana Co Waterford 03/06/2014

1. Seamus Hayes/Chipolini VMZ 0/0 43.00

2. Liam O Meara/Mr Coolcaum 0/0 45.88

3. Francis Connors/GRC Tadmus 0/0 50.45

4. Thomas Doyle/Ballycapple Mist 0/0 53.24

5. Timmy Doyle/JS Bucks 0/0 53.68

6. Tadagh Beecher/Loughnatousa Blakeney Crannagh 0/4 47.88

7. Peter Moloney/Seatop Boy 0/4 52.13

8. Ger O Neill/Go For It 0/4 61.64

Waterford’s Ballinamona EC to Host Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league Third Round on Sunday

News Desk — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 07:55:00 +0000

A massive 48 horses and riders have declared for this Sunday’s third round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league, at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre just outside Waterford City.

Waterford’s Paddy O Donnell who will be in action in the third round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre on Sunday, photo Sonya Dempsey

The series kicked off at Aglish Gymkhana in May with a win for Meath’s Gerard Clarke before Tipperary’s Seamus Hayes landed the second leg at Middleton Show.

However both of these riders are absent from the Ballinamona start-list, giving those with title ambitions an oportunity to take advantage.

Spectators at the Waterford venue will have plenty of locals to support, regining Connolly’s RED Mills league champion Francis Connors, National Champion Paddy O Donnell and former Hickstead Derby winner Paul Beecher, are just some of the riders from the deise taking part, although they will have a fight on their hands with National Grand Prix league champion Greg Broderick and an in-form Liam O Meara also among the favourites.

The Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix at Ballinamona gets underway at 2pm on Sunday.

Edited with BlogPad Pro

Seamus Hayes Dominates Second Round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster GP League

News Desk — Mon, 26 May 2014 11:17:54 +0000

Seamus Hayes and Twister who won the second round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League at Middleton Show

Writes Brian Hennessy

Tipperary’s Seamus Hayes dominated the second leg of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league at Middleton Agricultural Show in Co Cork, by filling three of the top four places, including an all important win with Twister.

Hayes managed to guide three horses through to the jump-off giving him an excellent chance of success, but to place all three among the top prizes showed that the Fethard based rider is bang in form.

Speaking afterwards Seamus Hayes said,

“I am delighted with how all the horses jumped today, Twister is always naturally fast and I didn’t plan on going as fast as it turned out today, but he turned back much tighter than I expected to the third fence in the jump off, but it worked out well in the end. The other two horses are still quite young, Corphin jumped really well in the RDS qualifier at Coilog earlier in the week and he was really good again at Middleton along with Barichello W who finished fourth.”

The Heartbreaker gelding Twister has been a prolific winner on the Munster Grand Prix circuit for a number of years and when in form is almost unbeatable against the clock, this proved to be the case one again at Middleton, as Seamus Hayes winning clear round (33.70) aboard the fourteen year-old saw him with almost three seconds to spare over his nearest challenger, to collect the Irish Distillery Perpetual Trophy.

The only rider to come close to matching Hayes was another Tipperary-man Liam O Meara with the ever consistent Mr Coolcaum. This partnership have already been in the winner enclosure this season having won the HSI/Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour at Wexford and another clear round in 36.23 seconds saw the Nenegh rider finish as runner up at Middleton.

Seamus Hayes filled third place after another foot perfect round with Jerry Sweetnam’s seven year old gelding Corphin, who is by the stallion Phin Phin out of an Orthos dam, before also managing to finish fourth with the Bian McClintock owned eight year old stallion Barichello W (by Quidam de Revel SF out of a Grannus Hann dam).

Spectators from the rebel county were happy to see local riders fill the next two placing’s, Cork’s Shane Dalton and the Cornet Obolensky mare Celine Dion grabbed fifth place, just ahead of young rider Patrick Joyce from Killeagh who was in excellent form finishing sixth with his father John Joyce’s Piltown S.

The next round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix takes place at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre just outside Waterford City on Saturday June 7th.

James Hogg And Interpreter Win Portmore Round Of The HSI’Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour

News Desk — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 08:20:11 +0000

James Hogg on Interpreter, winner of HSI Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour Round Six at Portmore Equestrian Centre

The sixth round of the HSI/ Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour at Portmore Equestrian Centre in Co Armagh saw the top prize staying north of the border, as Co Fermanagh rider James Hogg scored a comprehensive victory with Edgar Hogg’s grey gelding Interpreter.

The host venue Portmore Equestrian Centre, sponsored the competition with €2,500 on offer and those in attendance were treated to a fantastic competition, but no one went home happier than the winner James Hogg,

“I have to say the course builder (Rafael Suarez) did an excellent job, he gave us three different options to turn inside around the course and I think I might have been the only one to take all three tight turns. The surface at Portmore is just fantastic and the organizers deserve a lot of credit for putting on a great show”.

When asked about his mount Interpreter (Crusing x Diamond Rock x Hail Titan(TB),James Hogg went on to say,

Left to right: Chantal Suarez, owner of Portmore Equestrian Centre, Niamh Harding, Jenny Crozier of Redmills pictured with James Hogg on Interpreter, winner of HSI Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour Round Six at Portmore Equestrian Centre

“He is much stronger in himself this year, he is nine years old now and like all good Irish horses he gets better with age. Interpreter was bred by David O Brennan from Tullamore in Co Offaly and he has been a winner for me since he was a five year old, his full brother actually won the 1.20m at Portmore on Saturday also. I will take in the Spring Tour round at Cavan next and will see where we go from there”.

Fifteen of the thirty-seven starters made it through to the jump-off and despite a relatively early draw in round 2, Hogg had well over three seconds to spare over his nearest challenger at the finish. Although he did have a nervous moment at the third last oxer, as Interpreter rubbed the back bar, but the pole stayed intact giving the Ulsterman a well deserved victory in a time of 35.09 seconds.

League leader Conor McEneaney was last to jump with the incredibly consistent eight year old Moonlite Cavalier and although he couldn’t match James Hogg’s winning round, a second round clear in 38.66 seconds saw him take runner up at Portmore to extend his lead at the top of the table.

Sven Hadley filled three of the top six places, taking third place with the eight year old bay gelding Quanbell (Quentin x H.2) after a clear round in 40.43, while he also posted a clear jump off round (45.44) with Cassana (OBOS Quality x Hallo) to take fourth.

Hadley picked up four faults against the clock with Cassinitine (Cheers Cassini x Animo Elite) but a time of 40.08 was good enough to finish sixth, just behind junior rider Christopher Megahey who produced an excellent performance to take fifth place with the Lauriston sired Rickamore Royal.

Today(Sunday) the HSI/ Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour moves west to Claremorris in Co Mayo before Balinamona in Waterford hosts the eighth round of the series on Bank Holiday Monday.

HSI/ Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour - Top Six Following Portmore

Conor Mc Eneaney 37 Points

Daniel Coyle 27

Thomas O’Brien 24

James Hogg 20

Liam O’Meara 15

Sven Hadley 14

Result – HSI/ Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour – Portmore Equestrian Centre Co Armagh - Sponsored by Portmore Equestrian Centre - 15/03/2014

1st James Hogg/Interpreter 0/0 35.09,

2nd Conor McEneaney/Moonlite Cavalier 0/0 38.66

3rd Sven Hadley/Quanbell 0/0 40.43

4th Sven Hadley/Cassana 0/0 45.44

5th Christopher Megahey/Rickamore Royal 0/4 39.76

6th Sven Hadley/Cassinitine 0/4 40.08

7th Robert Newell/Zinniz Roundthorn 0/4 44.01

8th Barry McCormack/Armani Velvet 0/4 47.46

9th Daniel Coyle/Lady Porschell 0/4 49.91

10th Emily Turkington/Legend 0/4 51.08

37starters

15 into jump -off

Winning Owner – Edgar Hogg

Best Turned Out – Legend (Emily Turkington)

Leading Young Rider – Conor McEneaney

Leading 7&8 year old horse Moonlite Cavalier (Conor McEneaney)

Press Release courtesy of Brian Hennessy, ShowJumpingIreland