THE Army Equitation School took another win in the TRM Showjumpers Club Grand Prix league last Sunday at Kernans Equestrian Centre.

This time, it was the turn of Galway’s Second Lt Raphael Lee to lead the victory lap, as he lodged the winning round aboard the Irish Sport Horse Kilfenora, when double clear in 39.29 seconds.

Bred by Anna Kennedy, Kilfenora is a 12 year-old gelding by KEC Maximum Joe out of the Aldatus Z-sired dam KEC Leapalli.

Speaking afterwards, Lee said; “It was great to have the win here today. It was our first show of the season and we got off to a good start. The horse is naturally quick and careful, so I knew I could give it a good shot.

“I went towards the end of the jump-off and I did get to see a few, but it didn’t make me change my plan. Everyone was going for the win and the main thing was to keep a good rhythm.

“I would like to thank the Kernans for putting on a well-run show and to the sponsors, who make this league possible.”

Double clears

A total of 30 lined out in a bid to claim the winner’s share of the £2,500 on offer. Of the original starters, 13 proceeded to the jump-off, where seven double clears were delivered.

Little divided the next placing, as young rider Camryn Clarke took the runner-up spot with the Jordan Coyle-owned eight-year-old Miracle ES when they came home in a time of 39.55. This KWPN gelding is by Innocent out of the Flipper D’Elle-sired Daloma.

It was again very close between second and third place as Sean Foley and Fanta M left everything standing in a time of 39.68. Owned by Dermott Lennon, Fanta M is a 15-year-old gelding by Cicero Z Van Paemel out of the Navarone-sired Saigon. This combination finished fourth in the round at Emerald. Fanta M was previously campaigned by Dermott Lennon and Rebecca McGoldrick up to Grand Prix level.

Young rider Harrison Blair and L’ Esprit Hero Z accounted for fourth place, when they crossed the line clear in 41.90. Owned by Rockmount Farms and bred by Gerry Marron and Luc Henry, the 14-year-old is by Lexicon out of the For Pleasure-sired Ikea Van’t Roosakker. This pairing has demonstrated good form of late, claiming fourth in the round in Killossery. Last November, they claimed the runner-up spot in the Cavan Autumn Grand Prix and in the 1.40m speed class.

A clear from Niamh O’Connor Barry aboard her own Drumiller Vegas in 42.41 was enough to take fifth place. Bred by Paul Dillion, the 10-year-old gelding is by Cardento out of the Rockhill Clover-sired Meabhs Clover. Among their good results was a sixth place finish in the Gain Alltech Grand Prix in Fingal County Show last June.

The Army Equitation School claimed another share of the prize fund, when Second Lt Ruari Clarke took sixth with Carrigsor when clear in 45.93. This 10-year-old mare was bred by Kieran Kennedy and is well-related by O.B.O.S Quality 004 out of the Cruising mare Pirate Fairy.

Last of the double clears and slotting into seventh place was Young Rider Alex Finney aboard her mother Jean’s MHS Style (Kannan x Guidam), clear in a time of 48.05.