The one but last round of the IJM Grand Prix League for 2005 was hosted by Cavan Equestrian Centre and the interest is at an all time high as there are two contenders fighting it out to the bitter end for the title of National Grand Prix Champion!

Sarah Kate Quinlivan, the 22 year old willowy blonde from Cork with her one mare, Newmarket Girl, owned by Billy Daly has been doing battle with 25 year old Cian O'Connor and his team of 6 of the best money can buy, including his Olympic mount, Waterford Crystal.

Sarah Kate has broken records this season when she won three in a row Grand Prix's with Newmarket Girl - the first time this has been achieved and she won the heart of her country with her shy and quiet ways. This humble young lady has quietly traveled the country this season with her mother and sisters, competing in the Grand Prix League.

There are only a few who have suggested that Sarah Kate only managed to take the lead because Cian was called away on International duty and the following piece taken from the official start list produced by the SJAI seems to reinforce this:

"Clem McMahon took the honours at the Grand Prix held here (Cavan) last year riding Hermes de Reve. Cian O'Connor took a commanding advantage at the beginning of the season but as he was called away on international duty Sarah Kate Quinlivan stepped in to reap the spoils and took honours at the recent Millstreet Super League Grand Prix and at the re-scheduled Munster Championship Grand Prix and therefore took the lease by a mere 5 points."

The 30 round League sees the best of the Irish Grand Prix riders vying for the title of Grand Prix rider of the year with their best 15 scores counting. As we come to the final rounds we have a battle at the top end between Cian O'Connor and Sarah Kate Quinlivan. To date their results are as follow:

So while the Irish team of Dermott Lennon, Shane Breen, Capt, Shane Carey and Billy Twomey were desperately trying to avoid relegation from the Samsung Super League, in Aachen this weekend, Cian was at home trying to grapple the lead away from Sarah Kate Quinlivan. Cian's horse, the 14 year old gelding Waterford Crystal threw a splint keeping him out of competition according to the EFI Press Office and so he chose to attend the National classes at home where the atmosphere at Cavan Equestrian Centre was electric as the time approached for the start of the IJM Grand Prix class.

Many classes, including the Grand Prix were brought indoors due to the horrendous weather forecast for the weekend. Thankfully the disastrous weather did not eventuate but it was a great move to have the event indoors as it was bitterly cold with constant drizzling rains making the indoor a better place to be.