THE stage was set for the final of the Gain Alltech National Grand Prix league on Saturday at the Irish Breeders’ Classic in Barnadown, with 61 going to post in the €4,000 class.

Although he didn’t place in the final round, it was Francis Derwin Jnr and Parvati Aeg who claimed the national title on a total of 58 points. Following her third place finish in the final, the runner-up prize went to Katie McEntee and Kinmar Bespoke on 32 points, while in third was Vincent Byrne and Quantino on 29 points.

Speaking after the win, Derwin said: “It has been a great year and it’s super to win this National League. The mare has been super consistent, and in every leg that she competed in she either won it or was in the line-up. The plan at the start of the league was to try and claim the title and thankfully it paid off. I think this league is great for the younger horses as it is a step up before the Premier and it is very competitive. I would like to thank Gain and Alltech for their sponsorship of the league and thank my own sponsors Plusvital and Aloga. It is a team effort in achieving these goals and I would like to thank my Dad for all his support and help.”

Final leg

The final leg of the was dominated by junior and young riders as they filled the top six places in the nine-horse jump-off.

Winner of the final leg was Niamh McEvoy when she partnered BP Limitless to a clear in 35.55 seconds. Last to go, McEvoy knew what she needed to do and she made up time in particular to the penultimate oxer and then on to the final Gain fence. Owned by Max O’Reilly Hyland and bred by Austin Broderick, the nine-year-old mare is by Elvis Ter Putte and is out of Ballypatrick Flight.

Niamh McEvoy and BP Limitless, winners of the 1.40m Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix Final \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

McEvoy took another share of the prize fund, when she partnered Olympic ‘GL’ ‘FVD’ to a clear in 37.53 seconds for fourth place. This was the first of her mounts in this class and she kept it tight throughout the course. This 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding is owned by Keith Ennis and was bred by Francois Van Duffel. He is by Galisco Van Paemel and is out of the Bengale-sired dam, Glammer- Girl ‘H’FVD.

Young rider Tom Wachman and I’m Here also kept the poles in place in a time of 37.57 for second place. Owned by Coolmore Showjumping and bred by Stal Thijssen, the 11-year-old mare is by Carambole and is out of the Numero Uno mare Unorette.

Slotting into third place was junior rider Katie McEntee and Kinmar Bespoke. Second to go against the clock, she got a good line from fence one to two and maintained a good pace and came home clear in 37.93. Owned and bred by Gerry Marron, the nine-year-old gelding is by O-Piloth, out of the Aganix Du Seigneur-sired Absolutely Kingmar Z.

Junior rider Gary Dooley accounted for fifth place with OCS Tolan when they came home in 39.18. Owned by O’Connell Sport Horses and bred by the late Harold McGahern, the nine-year-old mare is by Tolan R and is out of the Touchdown sired-dam Coco Chic.

Completing the top six was junior rider Emily Moloney and Temple Alice, clear in 39.36. Owned by Moloney and TSI Equestrian, Temple Alice is a 12-year-old gelding by Foxglen Cruise Control and out of the Rantis Diamond-sired dam, Innishannon Shamrock.

This combination had recorded great results in the young rider division at Dublin Horse Show, finishing second and third.