It was a Senior D’Day at Connell Hill’s SJI Grand Prix
Connell Hill was a hive of activity from early morning as competitors and spectators arrived for the SJI Grand Prix Horse Show. The Grooms were all up early preparing horses and tack and riders rearing to go as all turned out in an immaculate and professional manner.
As competitors qualified for the jump offs they had spectators on the edges of their seats cheering as they entered the arena to jump a challenging Grand Prix course designed and built by Will Crean. The show started with the 1.0 m class and very quickly the excitement and adrenalin was rising as the riders were all chasing the first prize of the day sponsored by The Market Tavern, Magherafelt and Dodds Coach Holidays, this was a dream come true when Nicole Barr on ‘Florida Daydream’ took the first win of the day with Dawn McKeown on ‘Legaland Tadmus’ taking second and with only points of a second in it Julie Steele on ‘Wellview Lenny’ in third place. I can do it was the attitude as the 1.10 m class got under way with John Higgins on ‘Ikan’ doing it taking the first place sponsored by Dawn McKeown Photography / John Street Gallery, Ballymena.
The riders were all going for it when the 1.20 m class started sponsored by Barr Tec, but as there is only one winner it was Rebecca Patterson on ‘Millthyme San Francisco’. The spectators held their breath as riders took to the arena for the 1.30 m class, this class was sponsored by Horse First and EJC Contracts, corners were cut and the speed picked up but Gareth Clingan on ‘Senor D’ galloped away with the prize of the day. Barry McCormack on ‘Armani Velvet’ took second and Harry Marshall on ‘Whisper’ third place.
The 80 cm double clears sponsored by Ulster Livestock Care, Coagh, were Clare Spillane-Pattison on ‘Cor De La’, Tanya Smith on ‘Fancy Diamond’ and Clare Spillane-Pattison on ‘Little Task’. Parklands Veterinary Group, Cookstown sponsored the 90 cm class and the double clear rounds were Sharon Junk on ‘Cookstown Shutterfly’ and Clare Spillane-Pattison on ‘Little Task’.
A huge thank you to all our sponsors who made the Show the success it was and all our competitors.
The SJI Horse League continues next week, 23rd March at 10.00 am.
PLEASE NOTE There will be NO SJI Pony League on Sunday 24th but will continue the following Sunday 31st March at 10.00 am. Horse Training show on Thursday night and Pony and horse training shows are on Friday nights at 6.30 pm.
RESULTS:
80 cm: Clare Spillane-Pattison – Cor De La, Tanya Smith – Fancy Diamond, Clare Spillane-Pattison – Little Task
90 cm: Sharon Junk – Cookstown Shutterfly, Clare Spillane-Pattison – Little Task
1.0 m: 1st Nicole Barr – Florida Daydream, 2nd Dawn McKeown – Legaland Tadmus, 3rd Julie Steele – Wellview Lenny, 4th Dean Cotton – Codda Castaway, 5th Zoe Woods – Goodlux, 6th Ana Desmond – Rollover, Beverley Caves – Harlequin du Suzie, Zoe Farren – Tahoma Cruise, Dean Bell – Loughview Diamond Lux, Nikita Cochrane – Truly Unruly, Deborah Palmer – Kilrodan Sailorette, Beverley Caves – Calinvella,
Connor Stewart – Rubellious, Zoe Woods – My Way or the Highway, John Higgans – Doonaveeragh Camiro, Judith Sossick – Loughview La La, Olivia McCormack – Night Life
1.10 m: 1st John Higgins – Ikan, 2nd Rory Lavery – Aughnabroc Ruarii, 3rd John Higgins – KEC Freefalling, 4th Paul Caves – Quinvella, 5th Judith Sossick – Loughview Diamond Clover, 6th Julie Steele – Wellview Lenny, 7th Coleen Glasgow – Euro Double Act, 8th Christopher Megahey – Rickamore Royale, Paul Caves – Master Gold Touch, Laura Reid – Bobby, Nathan Primrose – Zarola, Barry Griffin – Chirokko M
1.20 m: 1st Rebecca Patterson – Millthyme San Francisco, 2nd Harry Marshall – Gennaro Z, 3rd Martin McCloskey – Clagan Royale, 4th Stephen Smith – Eglish, 5th Kenneth Graham – Lenamore Lux, 6th Christopher Megahey – Rickamore Royal, John Higgins – Emerald George, Olivia McCormack – Cindy, Harry Marshall – Juicy
1.30 m: 1st Gareth Clinghan – Senor D, 2nd Barry McCormack – Armani Velvet, 3rd
Category: News, Results, Show Jumping
