JUNIOR rider Francis Derwin got his summer season off to a good start on Saturday, as he clinched victory in the opening leg of the 1.40m GAIN Alltech National Grand Prix at Duffy’s Equestrian Centre.

The Athlone rider partnered Parvati Aeg to a double clear in a time of 39.12 seconds, beating off the challenge from 10 others that booked their place in the jump-off. Duffy’s has proved lucky for Derwin in the past, having also claimed the Autumn Grand Prix last September with Parvati Aeg. The combination has previously been placed at this level, having claimed the runner-up spot in the GAIN Alltech National Grand Prix in Maryville in July. Derwin is no stranger to success in these opening rounds, having also won the opening leg of the Autumn Grand Prix in Mullingar. Last year, along with international duties, he was one to watch in the National and Premier Series Circuit.

Owned by Derwin, Parvati Aeg is a Belgian Warmblood by Arezzo VDL and is out of the Darco-sired dam Sabrieene. In 2023, the combination competed in the CSI2* classes in Vilamoura at 1.40m level. The pairing also finished second and third in the CSI*Open in Millstreet.

In total, 27 lined out in a bid to take their share of the €5,000 on offer and, from those, five maintained clean sheets over the Paul Duffy-designed course.

Little separated the next placing, as local rider Mark Duffy and Figaro VII answered all the questions in a time of 39.81. Owned by Karen Geoghegan and bred by RJ Rensing, Figaro VII is a 14-year-old gelding by Quality Time and out of the Optimist-sired dam, Waiomi.

A clear from Jake Hunter and Satelittenflieger K, albeit in a slower time of 42.38, took third place. This nine-year-old gelding, owned by Sandra Duffy/Ireland Horse Sport and Leisure Ltd, is by Stolzenberg and is out of an Escudo II-sired dam, Egina. Following an impressive performance in the TRM Show jumpers Club Spring Tour, junior rider Bríd Ryan performed well at this higher level, delivering a clear with Ne Touche Pas Van De Rostal in a time of 46.75 for eventual fourth. Owned by Eugene Ryan and bred by Paul Peeters, the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare is by Falco and out of the Lux Z-sired dam, Resi Lux. Ryan began campaigning the mare in 2023 and has progressed her up the ranks from 1m up to 1.40m.

Derwin added to his haul, as he also secured fifth place with Destina Du Mesnil Z, when he was the last of the double clears in a time of 54.92. Owned by Derwin and bred by A Geesink, the 13-year-old mare is by Dobel van’t zorgvliet and is out of the Casco-sired dam, Bernadette. This combination took second place in the TRM Show jumpers Spring Tour in Kernan’s at the end of March. Previous to taking over the reins, the mare was campaigned by Cian Harrison up to 1.45m level.

Damien Griffin put in a fast round aboard the eight-year-old ESI Hamshire, clocking 42.14, but four faults meant that he had to settle for sixth place. Owned and bred by Ennisnag Stud, the gelding is by Zirocco Blue VDL and out of the Coleman-sired dam, SSH Coolgirl. This combination recently claimed sixth place in the Spring Tour in Banner and in Cavan.

TK Car Sales 1.30m

Continuing on from his success in the TRM Show jumpers Spring Tour series, Sven Hadley added to his record, as he claimed first and second in the TK Car Sales 1.30m class. The Galway rider delivered his best result with HSH Harper Du Seigneur, delivering a double clear in a time of 35.28 seconds. He was less than a second behind with his own Topspin, delivering a clear in 36.13. Little divided the next place, as Fiona O’Malley partnered the eight-year-old DPS Orchestrator to a clear in 36.31 for third place. Junior rider Daisy McNamara followed closely behind with Caspetito Z, keeping all the poles in place in a time of 37.17 for eventual fourth. A clear from young rider Sean Gormally and CHF Miss Stetter in a time of 37.64 saw him take fifth place. Spring Tour Champion, Annabel Shields completed the top six with the seven-year-old B.E Flygold, when she maintained a clean sheet in a time of 39.04.

Gillane Animal Feeds 1.20m

Sven Hadley dominated the 1.20m class, claiming the top three spots. For the second time of the day, he took the win with HSH Harper Du Seigneur, when he delivered a clear in a time of 35.66. He partnered Topspin into second place, when he answered all the questions in a time of 36.19 and then secured third place with Sumas Taloubet, clear in 37.47. Aoife McCabe came closest to catching Hadley, as she delivered a clear with her own Heritage Mystique in a time of 38.42. Annabel Shields was back in the ribbons, claiming fifth with the Hadley Sport Horse-owned, seven-year-old Royal Emerald QC, clear in 40.04. A clear from Abby Kelehan and the seven-year-old Monard Aggie in a time of 40.61 saw them take sixth place.

Amateur

Leading the victory lap in the Orchard Equestrian/NAPS National Amateur League class was AA rider Tara Brandon, when she came home clear aboard Ice Cream VDT in a time of 36.16. Louise Walsh (A) followed closely behind aboard Doonaveeragh Claire, when clear in 37.96. AA rider Nathan Kenny and Lachain Princess came home with nothing to add in 39.88, ahead of Derrick Burke (AA) and Tyreda Chip, clear in 41.40. Aoileann Nic An Iomaire [AA] left nothing to spare with the seven-year-old The Tribes Woman, when clear in 42.03 for fifth, while in sixth was Karen Boylan and GRC Blue Ice, clear in 42.14.