AFTER tremendous results in the European Championships just a few weeks ago, young riders returned home to make their presence felt on home soil with European team gold medalist Niamh McEvoy claiming victory in the GAIN/Alltech National Grand Prix in Hollypark in Co Limerick last Sunday.

The young Tyrone rider was joined in the line up by fellow team member Rhys Williams as he took the runner-up spot.

First to go in the jump-off aboard BP Hybernia, McEvoy rode the winning round in 36.98 seconds. McEvoy clearly meant business from the start, making up time early in the turn back to the oxer at three. She then negotiated a very tight turn back from the double, back to the penultimate vertical and then on to the last oxer.

Owned by GBBS Int Ltd, the 13-year-old gelding was bred by the late Dr Noel Cawley and is by Flexible out of Ballinakill Clover (Clover Hill). He was formerly campaigned by Kevin Gallagher with much success up to Premier Series level, while Kevin is due to ride him again next week in the five-star classes at the Dublin Horse Show.

Niamh took over the ride in June this year at Mullingar CSI2* and took third place in a 1.35m. She then went on to compete in the three-star at Bolesworth. This is the second win for this combination in the National Grand Prix series having claimed victory at the round of Flavours of Fingal at the start of the month.

Speaking afterwards, McEvoy said: “I was delighted at the way the horse performed. Going first in the jump-off is never easy and I knew there were quite fast combinations coming after me. I knew I would have to put in a very fast round. The horse is careful and has a big stride, so I knew that I could make up the time. I think I made the time up in the turn back to the third oxer and I really just kept moving on and thankfully he answered all the questions. The plan now is the Premier Series final in Mullingar and then on to Dublin Horse Show”.

There was a good turnout for this round with 45 combinations going to post. Of the 10 combinations that proceed to the jump-off, seven combinations delivered double clears.

Second to go against the clock, Rhys Williams made no mistakes with Cowboy Balou, but in a slower time of 38.32 proved only good enough for second place. This is also the second good result for this pairing on the National Grand Prix circuit having claimed the win in Barnadown in May. Owned by Williams Sport Horses Ltd and bred by Anja Mohrahrend Zur Lage, Cowboy Balou is a 11-year-old gelding by Cornets Balou out of Stutbuch.

Kildare’s Derek McConnell and Inlaws Manolo took third, when they put in a faultless performance in a time of 42.63 seconds. Owned by Sorcha Hennessy and bred by Tomas Hester, the eight-year-old gelding is by Corland and is out of the Lord Z sired dam, Helena De Va Lie. This combination had previously finished fifth in the leg at Cavan Equestrian and was sixth in the round at Coilóg.

Runner-up in the round at Wexford Equestrian, Nicholas Connors added to his record sheet as he slotted into fourth place with the eight-year-old, Fornett D’Emeraude when they came home in 43.50 seconds.

Francis Connors also maintained a clean sheet with Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, in a time of 44.98 for fifth place. Owned by Francis, Jenny and Kate Connors, the eight-year-old mare was bred by John Warner and is by Dondoctro Ryal K and is out of Carrigshawn Vendi.

Emma O’Dwyer, who is also a former European medallist, completed the top six line-up when she piloted CSF Kancruz to a clear in 45.46. Owned by Dwyer and bred by Patrick Connolly, the 11-year-old gelding by Kannan is of CSF Telly Cruz, making him a full-brother to the five-star Grand Prix and Nations Cup winner James Kann Cruz who has been named again in next week’s Aga Khan squad at the Dublin Horse Show.