THE SJI Autumn Grand Prix finished last weekend with Emerald Equestrian in Enfield playing host to the final round of the series, which was not run as a league this year. The event drew a significant following, featuring 65 combinations competing over a course designed by Gueorgui Gueorguiev. Sponsored by Curtis Show jumping and N11 CVRT Centre, there was €4,000 up for grabs.
Taking the win on this occasion was Max Foley, when he was the fastest of just three double clears in the eight-horse jump-off. Riding the eight-year-old HHS Savanna, he clocked the winning time of 34.03 seconds.
Owned by Bravo Hughes and bred by Marion Hughes, the mare is by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of the Don Juan De La Bouverie-sired HHS Central Park, a mare who was competerd to Grand Prix level by Sarah Crosbie. This was the first show for this combination, with the mare being previously campaigned on the national circuit by Molly Hughes Bravo and internationally by Mikey Pender.
HHS Savanna has just recently returned from Europe, where she won a 1.40m three-star class in Vejer de la Frontera and clocked up two third place finishes and one runner-up placing at 1.35m.
Technical
Gueorguiev designed a technical course, with eight combinations booking their place against the clock. Time played a factor in the first round, with five being denied a place in the jump-off due to a single time fault. A further six failed to make the second round due to having one pole on the ground.
Kilkenny’s Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Castlefield Hera came closest to catching the winner, clocking 35.14 for second place. Owned by Seamus’ mother Clare and bred by Jim O’Neill, the 10-year-old mare is by Plot Blue out of the Puissance mare Little Miss Puissance. The combination recently finished second in a three-star 1.35m in Vejer de la Frontera.
Last of the double clears was Derek McConnell and Inlaws Manolo, when they crossed the line in a time of 36.38. Owned by Sorcha Hennessy, the nine-year-old Corland gelding was bred by Tomas Hester out of Helena De Va Lie (Lord Z). This combination had been on form of late, taking sixth in the 1.40m Grand Prix in Mullingar in September.
No stranger to the pressure of the clock, Sven Hadley didn’t hang about with Phenomene Bleu VDM, but four faults in 35.04 meant they had to settle for eventual fourth place. Owned by Hadley Sporthorses, Phenomene Bleu VDM is a nine-year-old Belgian-bred stallion by Diamant De Semilly. This pairing has proved consistent at Grand Prix level, winning their last National Grand Prix in Castle Irvine in August.
Vincent Byrne and Galwaybay Sparkie also put in a fast round, coming home in 38.21, but four faults would prove only good enough for fifth place. Owned by Langara Ventures and bred by Justin Burke, Galwaybay Sparkie is an eight-year-old gelding by Spartacus and is out of the Clinton-sired Galwaybay Penelope.
Junior rider Jack M Murphy and Valerie O’Reilly’s MHS Oklahoma (Kannan x Mister Blue), bred by Michael Brennan, completed the top six line-up, when they finished with four faults in 38.74.