FOLLOWING the success of their inaugural show in 2021, show jumping made a return to Marion Hughes and Miguel Bravo’s HHS Stud in Kilkenny on Wednesday with large entries in each of the five classes.

In the 1.40m Quinta do Lago Resort Grand Prix, which had a prize fund of €5,000, junior rider Francis Derwin Jnr demonstrated his talent as he took the win aboard AHG Whiterock Cruise Down.

He was the fastest of six double clears in the 13-way jump-off in a time of 38.60. Derwin has certainly been on a roll this season, only last weekend taking runner-up in the Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix League.

AHG Whiterock Cruise Down, who is owned by Francis Derwin Snr, has no shortage of experience, with a host of wins under the 12-year-old’s belt.

The pair won a 1.40m National Grand Prix earlier this season and, under Francis’ sister Kate, the gelding won a leg of the 1.50m Premier Series, as well as the gold medal at the 2019 European Championships for Juniors. The gelding is by Cruisings Micky Finn out of the Touchdown-sired Whiterock Touch, and was bred by Ann Gannon Clancy.

Second place was filled by another talented young rider, Seamus Hughes Kennedy, who partnered Cuffesgrange Cavadora (Z Wellie 72 x Luidam) to a clear in 40.44. Owned by his mother Clare, the nine-year-old mare by bred by Eamon Sheehan.

Gerard Clarke was fractions behind with Patrick and Clare Sutton’s Lupins Lux Z (Lux Z x Cruising), stopping the clock in 40.87 for third place.

Susan Fitzpatrick also kept the poles in place aboard Sharon Fitzpatrick’s eight-year-old Keatingstown Skorphults Joker (Conthargos x Chacco-Blue); a time of 41.92 would see her slot into fourth place.

Newly crowned National Champion Kevin Gallagher was fifth with the Lissava Stud-bred Arko III mare Arcadia LVS Z, owned by GBBS Int LTD, clear in 42.18. Completing the top-six line-up was Cian Harrison with his own Tabby (Captain Clover x Cruising), crossing the line clear in 42.61.

1.30m

The 1.30m Castlefield Breeding Farm/Connolly’s Grand Prix attracted a large entry of 70 combinations to battle it out for the €2,000 prize fund on offer. The victory stayed at home as Mikey Pender delivered the winning round with Marion Hughes’ home-bred HHS Fortune.

The 10-year-old Catoki x Douglas mare has been jumping in 1.50m classes internationally this season and won here when the fastest of 21 double clear rounds in 20.68.

Not content with the victory, Pender added second place to his haul when he delivered a clear with his own Zhardas Kil (Chacco-Blue x Charity) in 21.75. Slotting into third was Jason Foley and Jim O’Neill’s home-bred Castlefield Miss (Pacino x Puissance), who came home clear in 22.32, ahead of Eddie Moloney with Caroline Teltsch’s Andiamix Hero Z (Aganix du Seigneur x Andiamo Z), clear in 22.51.

Jason Foley returned to take fifth place with Dylan Savage’s Jaola, clear in 22.61, ahead of Ger O’ Neill and Far Wes Du Hus, clear in 23.20.

1.20m

Leading the victory lap in the 1.20m Butler Court Accommodation and Flexon was Jason Foley when he crossed the line with Ronan Rothwell’s home-bred five-year-old mare Boleybawn Evie (Clarimo x Mermus R) with nothing to add in 36.64.

Slotting into second place was Deirdre Doyle and BLM Authentic Diamond, clear in 37.52, ahead of Robin Carey and Geron RS, who stopped the clock in 37.75.

Ger O’Neill and the six-year-old Goodwins Class were fractions behind in 38.33 for eventual fourth, while in fifth place were Francis Connors and Primo Cino, clear in 38.44. Resident rider Mikey Pender slotted into sixth place when he delivered a clear aboard Serena vd Berghoeve, in 38.58.

Winner of the 1.10m (Inc COH) Keatingstown House Stud-sponsored class was amateur rider Michael O’ Neill and Sambuca Paris Diamond, clear in 31.16.

Taking the red rosette in the 148cm Connolly’s Red Mills Classic was Matthew Farrell and Maifield Another Sunrise, clear in 33.30.