Pictured right: Jack Doyle on the Burgraff gelding, Owen II.
Steven Smith, pictured below left, riding Impact, previously campaigned by Dermott Lennon on the international circuit, was seventh in and showed how it was done when he provided the first clear. Conor Swail was quick to follow suit aiming for another Grand Prix win with the talented eight year old, Poncho. The next to gain a hard earned place in the jump-off was Richie Moloney with Tom Moloney's Appolinaire.
Pictured above right: Conor Swail and Poncho showing their own unique style over the oxers.
Francis Connors (pictured below left) had a foot perfect round with Derg Twiss and young rider Greg Broderick, directly after him, delivered the same.
From then on in the clears were far and few between with many of the riders who usually feature having to content themselves with an unlucky four faults.
Richard Wright with the talented Darco stallion, Ard VDL Douglas, (pictured below right) already with three placings in the series, was unlucky at the double having a pole down at the second part while talented juniors and recent pony graduates, Mark McAuley and Benedict Kuhnle both took a brick out of the wall. Andrew Bourns, placed second in Kill Equestrian Centre's Grand Prix, picked up penalties on both his mounts.
Even Conor Swail riding last year's Irish Field horse of the year, Conduct, finished the course on four faults. Roddy Deane, consistent throughout the series made his way into yet another jump-off with Shanroe Spirit, by Cascavelle.
The next to leave the course intact was Jack Doyle who gave a very polished performance with son of Burgraff, Owen II. Francis Connors, on his second mount the 8year old Auto Cruz, showed great skill when he managed to go clear despite his mare putting in an extra stride in both parts of the treble. Greenane Diamond and Linda Courtney showed their experience when they too completed the course without fault. Captain Shane Carey and the Master Imp sired Lis-Makin were the last deliver a clear in the first round which left ten through to the jump-off.
The course was shortened and raised and the bogey fence from the first round, the wall, was now the last. Steven Smith was first in as pathfinder and set a blistering pace from the minute he passed through the start beams. Unfortunately with a long gallop to the last he had a brick off the wall which left him finishing on four faults in 44.44, the quickest time of the day. Conor Swail and Poncho were next in but a pole down at the second fence left them out of the running when they crossed the finish in 60.85. Richie Moloney riding the bay Appolinaire, by Athlet, delivered a flawless clear in 53.51 to take the lead. But Francis Connors was quick to move him down into temporary second when he jumped clear with the nine year Clover Hill gelding, Derg Twiss, taking a good three seconds off his time. Greg Broderick was next in, the only young rider to earn a place in the jump-off, but two fences on the ground with Kinnelown meant he was out the placings.
Roddy Deane and Shanroe Spirit, who have performed consistently throughout the series, were denied a place this time when a pole down on the way out of the double left them on four faults in 55.73. Next to take on the time was Jack Doyle on Owen II. Doyle made it look very easy just cruising around but the horse's huge stride meant that they stopped the clock at 49.31, shaving 0.58 off Connors time. Francis Connors came in on his second mount to try and regain the lead but a tight turn back to an oxer left him and the Cruising mare, Auto Cruz, with a pole down. Linda Courtney, riding her own mare Greenane Diamond, had a real go at catching the time but an unlucky four faults in 50.19 meant she had to be happy with sixth place. Captain Shane Carey was last in and the only thing between Doyle and victory with the experienced Lis-Makin but although quick he didn't quite catch the time and the four faults he picked up along the way left him in fifth.
That meant the victory went to Jack Doyle with the Cruiserath Syndicates owned Owen II. Slotting into second was Francis Connors and taking third was the last of the double clears, Richie Moloney. Stephen Smith was fourth, with the quickest four faults and Captain Shane Carey was fifth. Linda Courtney picked up her second placing in the series and the last of the prize money in sixth. Greg Broderick took the best young rider award and was presented with a commemorative rosette and rug, sponsored by Royston Rugs. The Showjumper's Club then presented Tom Roland, owner of Knightfield Equestrian, with a bottle of whisky to show their appreciation of the sponsorship of the series.
Having been trying for a victory at Barnadown for a while now after enjoying a good placing there last year in the IJM National Grand Prix League, Jack Doyle was very pleased to have won, the first thing he said being "I'm delighted with the horse." Also chairman of the Showjumper's Club, Jack said he was very happy with the way the Knightfield equestrian sponsored series had turned out. "It's been great for everyone" he said "a great success."
is making a bid for a spot on the Irish Junior Team for the European Championships this July in Switzerland.
Pictured below left: Riders, riders everywhere - the riders gather on the hill at Barnadown prior to walking the Grand Prix course.
Pictured below right: Eleanor and Fiona Campbell, both showjumping ladies - Fiona is another of the Junior riders looking for those hard to get spots on European Championship teams.
