VICTORY in the Gain Equine Nutrition/Alltech Ireland National Grand Prix at The Meadows Equestrian Centre stayed local as Co Down native Emma McEntee took the win, taking home £4,000 for her efforts.

Seventh to go in the timed round with MHS New York, the combination was fastest of the seven double-clears in 36.50 seconds. The young rider got her season off to a great start as she was crowned the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour Champion and as a result, became a brand ambassador for TRM.

This is the second good result for this combination of late, having claimed fourth place in the round at Mullingar in July. They also took second place in the 1.35m Grand Prix in the Young Riders National Championship at Cavan Equestrian last week. In May the pair put their first points on the senior Grand Prix leaderboard when they took second place in the Cavan leg.

Owned by Miguel Bravo and bred by Thomas Brennan, MHS New York is an eight-year-old gelding by Quidam Junior out of the Cavalier Royale-sired Cavalier Kells. McEntee has been riding the horse for a year, having taken him over from her brother John. Kate is the first to admit that it was not plain sailing at the start, but they have now gelled well, planning to take in the remaining legs of the series and hopefully go abroad at a later date.

Speaking after the win, Emma McEntee said: “I am delighted with the win here today. I managed to see a few go and I knew it was going to be quick. Elizabeth (Power) had gone before me and I knew that I had to be quick and keep it tight, if I had any chance to beat her. The plan was to keep a good rhythm. I knew I could be tight back to the second fence. After I jumped fence 10, I knew I had a bit of time to make up, so I made up time in the turn back to the double. Definitely back to the double is where I made up the time.”

A total of 28 combinations went to post over the Tom Holden-designed course and from those, 11 booked their place in the second round. In the timed round, time could be make up from the start in the turn back from the first oxer to the vertical. A tight turn to the fourth oxer on to the pink oxer and then in the turnback to the double was a necessary manoeuvre to be up on time. For those with a win in mind, a good pace to the last vertical was required to be in with a chance.

A familiar face in the winner’s enclosure at The Meadows, Jonathan Smyth was only fractions behind the winner with Mulvin Lights Out, clear in 37.03. Owned by Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig, the nine-year-old gelding has proved very consistent for Smyth in his series and an extra eight points moves them to the top end of the leaderboard.

Winner of the round in National Balmoral, Meath international event rider Elizabeth Power added to her points tally when she slotted into third place with Doonaveeragh O One. The pair kept all the poles in place in 38.10.

Currently top of the leaderboard, Tim MacDonagh will hold on to the lead for another week as he slotted into fourth place with Hollypark Galloway, clear in 38.17. This was an important result for MacDonagh as only one round remains ahead of the September final in Tipperary.

John Floody, also a contender in this league, added valuable points to his tally when he took fifth place. Riding the Kathryn Magennis-owned Accidental Diamond, he lodged a foot-perfect round in 40.14 seconds.

MacDonagh returned to the line-up to take sixth place with his own eight-year-old Pacino-sired gelding Hollypark Pacino, stopping the clock in 40.43.

The last of the double-clears was delivered by Kildare’s Stephen Murphy and Chantelle in 44.28.