Bumper Portmore Spring Championship Show

Spectators were treated to three days of extremely high quality competition at Portmore Equestrian Centre this weekend in newly refurbished premises.  Purple was the colour of choice as a selection of new jumps courtesy of Nicholl Show Jumps joined the freshly painted purple surroundings.

Friday began with Katy Connor, Joanne Jarden and Laura Cornett in the prizes during the 90cm class.  Mary McShane won the 1m class on HMS Camilla with Noel McKee and his own Keeford Athena in second place with Nuala McNally and Song of Charm in third.  Sven Hadley’s winning streak began in the 1.10m class and continued all weekend in most classes.  Helen Pearson Murray and I Aint No Tinker finished close behind in 2nd.  Edward Little and Galway bay Hummer won the 1.20m class, while Sven Hadley finished first and third in the 1.30m class.

Saturday began promptly at 9.30am with the 1.10m league challenging all competitors.  A number of young horses and experienced combinations took on Rafael Suarez’s technically demanding course.  Sven Hadley and Utha repeated their performance from the day before claiming first place, Stephen Gibson and Milford Cool Flyer were second with Conor Mc Eneaney and Hold Steady in third.

The 1.20m class saw James Hogg showcase Irish breeding as Indicator won the class while his full brother Interpreter won the HSI Connolly’s Red Mills GP.  Second in the 1.20 was Catherine Thornton and MHS Super Trooper, while James Hogg and Almost Persuaded took to the podium again for third.

The HSI Connoll’s Red Mills Spring Tour was hotly contested on Saturday afternoon as thirty seven accomplished competitors lined up to compete for the prize fund.  The challenging track designed by Rafael Suarez was closely watched by an enthusiastic arena party with Kerry Saunders keeping everything moving between warm up, pocket and main arena.  Hilary McClelland kept everyone informed while her experience and accuracy were appreciated during extremely close competition.

Fifteen competitors jumped clear and into the jump off.  First in to compete was Sven Hadley jumping an economical round, however taking a pole.  Barry McCormick and Armani Velvet were second in and although they rolled the second fence they finished in a time of 47.46 and seventh place overall.  Next in was Chris Megahey and Rickamore Royale, sadly taking the first part of the double however completed a strong attempt by this young rider and highest young rider placing in the competition.  Emily Turkington and Legend rode the long way to the double, however the second part fell finishing on a time of 51.08 and into 10th place.

James Hogg and Interpreter set off at pace, fresh from his 1.20m success, jumping the wall and the rider ‘bogey’ stair fence at a determined angle, they were not to be beaten crossing the line clear in the very respectable time of 35.09 seconds. Daniel Coyle sadly had an uncharacteristic refusal on both of his rides.  Sven Hadley entered the arena on the second of horse horses Quanbell taking a slightly longer route he planned a safe clear ad delivered in a time of 40.43.   Sven’s third and final ride for the class was Cassana who jumped an economical and clear 45.44 slotting into fourth.  Conor McEneaney and Moonlight Cavalier were last to go and jumped a very stylish and fast clear to finish clear in a time of 38.66 and in second place.

1st Edgar Hogg Interpreter James Hogg 0 35.09

2nd Peter Mc Eneaney Moonlite Cavalier Conor Mc Eneaney 0 38.66

3rd Hadley Sport Horses Quanbell Sven Hadley 0 40.43

4th Hadley Sport Horses Cassana Sven Hadley 0 45.44

5th Britt Megahey Rickamore Royal Christopher Megahey 4 39.76

6th Hadley Sport Horses Casinitine Sven Hadley 4 40.08

7th Patricia M Connon Zinniz Roundthorn Robert Newell 4 44.01

8th Barry Mc Cormack Armani Velvet Barry Mc Cormack 4 47.46

9th Janelle Mc Caughey Lady Porschell Daniel Coyle 4 49.91

10th Emily Turkington Legend Emily Turkington 4 51.08

Photo galleries were available throughout the weekend on the Facebook pages of Equestrian News NI and Portmore Equestrian Centre to keep competitors up to speed with the classes and competitions.

Sunday morning began promptly at 9.30am with Noel McKee and Keeford Athena jumping to the lead in the 1m class.  Norman Campbell and Diamond Crusader finished in second with Fiona McGowan and Dances with Joy taking home third place in both the 10 and 1.10m classes.

The 1.10m class was very competitive with Sven Hadley taking first place once again on Utha.  Rory Lavery and Drissa were on form taking second in the 1.10m and fifth in the 1.20m classes.    Helen Pearson Murray took fourth and sixth in the 1.10m class with I aint no Tinker and I Aint No Lady consecutively, with Rachel Thompson and You Two Clover finishing in fifth.

Carol Armstrong was unbeatable in the 1.20m as she finished clear in the determined way in which she began setting an unbeatable time.  Sven Hadley settled for second place, however made up for it in the grand prix later that day.Laura Hutton and Portmore Minstrel finished in third.

The Portmore Grand Prix was a delight for spectators with so many professional combinations taking on the Rafael Suarez course.  Many commented with delight on the technical aspect of it and felt a benefit from the course.  The weekend of competition ended as it had begun with Sven Hadley at the top of the leader board, taking home first, second and third places on Cassara, Cassintine and Quantel respectively.  Local competitor Luke Campbell finished in fourth on his stallion Treba Douglas, while Frank Curran and New World completed in fifth place and Emily Turkington and Allihies Diamond Boy taking sixth.

Click here to view the full album of photographs available to purchase from classes on Saturday.

Click here to view the full album of photographs available to purchase from classes on Sunday.

 

A few photographs from the final Portmore Grand Prix are shown below:

 

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Category: News, Results, Show Jumping