AS in previous years, the regional show jumping leagues proved very popular with professional, amateur and young riders. It’s not hard to see why as the regional leagues offer lucrative prize funds, excellent course-designing and top class competition. With rising fuel costs over the summer, many riders also chose to stay local to compete in these tours. These leagues also proved very attractive to companies looking to sponsor national show jumping.

Ulster Region

There was razor sharp competition at the Wilsons Auctions Ulster Region Showjumping Series at Kernan’s Equestrian Centre in September. To qualify for the final, horses and riders had to compete at a minimum of two previous legs in the Northern Ireland series. A huge field of approximately 2,000 competitors competed across the 13 legs of the tour, demonstrating how valuable this league is to riders. With a lucrative prize fund in excess of £10,000 on offer in this series, all divisions were well supported.

Consistent performances throughout the summer saw Nicole Kershaw drive home with multiple podium finishes, including the first and second in the 1.20m league, along with the 1.35m Grand Prix league title. Winner of the 1.35m class on the day was Jonathan Smyth and Crystal Graf and he also finished as runner-up in the league, ahead of Eve Donnelly.

Winner of the final round of the 1.20m was Michael Cave and the Sheikh Samir Mirdad-owned Mirdad’s LPM. Sean Foley was the 1.20m young rider league winner.

The 1.10m league was rightfully won by Emma Jackson and the one-metre league was claimed by Paddy Ward. Overall winner of the metre league final was Fiona Thompson while the Amateur ‘A’ league winner was Taryn McClurkin. Winner of the AA Amateurs League was Jane Keeley, while the winner of the 1.10m Young Rider section was Amy McLoughlin.

Speaking after the final, Tori Dixon, marketing manager at Wilsons Auctions said: “I received great feedback from the league, and it seems to have been extremely popular amongst competitors in both the north and the south of Ireland. The sponsorship allows riders to compete for a fantastic prize pot.”

Liam O'Meara was crowned Munster Grand Prix Champion for 2022 on Lux Trendy in Milstreet, pictured were James O'Sullivan, Marie Wheeler, Susan Nolan, John Gerety of Red Mills, Helen Sheridan, Jerry Sweetnam and Liam O'Meara on Lux Trendy

Munster Region

The Munster Series leagues came to an exciting conclusion at Banteer show which was held at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet. The show which was run in aid of St Joseph’s Foundation, Charleville and Liskennett Foundation, was sponsored by three league sponsors in Carleton Stables, Sweet Oak Farm and Connolly’s Red Mills.

In the Connolly’s Red Mills 1.35 Grand Prix, Tipperary’s Liam O’Meara and Lux Trendy held top position going into the final round on 47 points. O’Meara was very much in contention of claiming the title as he was also in third place with Sir Jim on 36 points. No stranger to pressure, TRM Showjumpers Club Champions Robyn Moran and Cushlas Fryday were in third place on 38 points.

Following a very competitive jump-off, O’Meara and Lux Trendy added another six points to their leaderboard tally when they finished in fourth place in the final round to take the overall title. Owned by James O’Sullivan, the 12-year-old is by Future Trend out of Lucy Lux. This combination proved very consistent in this league, clocking up points in eight of the 13 rounds. This included a win at Sceillig Equestrian Centre and one at Dualla.

In the final round, 24 combinations lined out with 12 proceeding to the jump-off round. Taking the final was Robyn Moran who was riding the James McMahon-owned Coolminga Inspector Royal.

The Sweet Oak Farm 1.25m was also a very close competition with Patrick Joyce (Glyntown Blake) and Francis Connors (Primo Aliboo Blue ABF) neck and neck. Following a consistent performance over the course of the league, Joyce and Glyntown Blake took this title. Taking victory on the day was Laura Kelly and Fojito.

Going into the final of the Carleton Stables 1.15m, Robyn Moran and Fortside Trend were in pole position on 43 points, while Gerard Curtin followed closely behind on 42 points with Cruise For Life. Curtin also was in third place in the league going into the final with Walking in Paris on 36 points. Amateur rider Gerard Curtin (AA) was crowned the Carleton Stables 1.15m league winner 2022 after he finished in fifth place with Cruise For LIfe, clear in 38.24. The final round saw 36 combinations go to post and from those, 23 delivered double clears over the Tommy Gibbons-designed course. Taking the final round was amateur rider Lorraine Younge (AA) and Belfieldflight.

Robyn Moran (pictured in winning form with Fortside Trend at Cork Summer Show) enjoyed a very strong campaign in 2022 \ Chloe Loane

Leinster Region

For the first year, the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour concluded in a standalone show and not at The Irish Breeders’ Classic. Taking place later than normal at Warrington Equestrian, there was a good following for the final leg which boasted €14,000 between the final rounds, the leagues and breeders’ prizes. Along with the cash prizes there was also a Bertram Allen Bursary up for grabs, as well as a tour and luncheon to Cian O’Connor’s Karlswood Stables.

In the final of the 1.35m division, this league was very much up for grabs with three riders in contention. Lt James Whyte and Carrigoran were top of the leaderboard on 29 points, followed by young Wexford rider Taylor Peare and Lissegan Geoffery on 26 and in third place was Brendan Murphy on PNP Rocco on 23 points. With Whyte and Brendan Murphy both securing a place in the jump-off, the league came down to the wire. Following an exciting jump-off, Murphy took the win with PNP Rocco, but with Whyte and Carrigoran securing fifth place, they did enough to take the overall title by just one point.

Murphy and the Ashley Stephen-owned PNP Rocco took the final win when they crossed the line. It was good to see young riders feature in this line-up with Seamus Hughes Kennedy claiming the runner-up place with Castlefield Hera. Fellow Kilkenny rider Molly Hughes Bravo answered all the questions with HHS Vancouver for third place. Although Peare did not feature in the top six, she did enough to claim the overall young rider prize aboard Lissyegan Geoffrey.

In the 1.20m division, 85 combinations battled it out and 43 delivered double clears in the two-phase special class. Taking the overall title was Aileen McDermott and Amber Balou, while Gillian Bond and Vicomte DH Z took the runner-up prize. It was also very close in this league, with only two points separating McDermott and Bond.

In the end, with amateur McDermott (AA) slotting into third in the line-up and Bond finishing down the line, McDermott took the 2022 title. Winner of the class on the day was Jackilynn Breslin and Castlefield Cass. Again, younger riders shone through with junior rider Robin Carey claiming the runner-up spot and the young rider prize with Luicruz. Marta Hughes Bravo took fourth place with Miss Belgium III. Claiming the overall young rider prize was Emily Moloney and Capitol Cruis.

It was very close in the 1.10m division with amateur riders claiming the top six spots in this division. Marie Hartley and Nikita Van Het Heidenhof had a five-point lead on the leaderboard ahead of her closest rivals, McDermott and Amber Balou. In the end, with McDermott securing the final win and Hartley finishing in seventh place, McDermott secured her second title of the day, leaving Hartley to take the reserve. Runner-up on the day was Lisa Doyle and Corland’s Clipper ahead of Laura Walshe and Ballinaguilkey Heritage. Fourth place was filled by Michael O’Neill and Take A Gamble. Hartley did not go home too disappointed as she also took fifth place with Scarthill Vendi. Completing the top six, was Niamh Walsh and Amaretto Flight, clear in 26.18. The overall young rider prize went to Emma O’Connor and Quality Diamond.

Sven Hadley (pictured riding Topspin at The Meadows EC) made a clean swept of the Duffy's Sport Horses 1.25m Step Up League, securing the top placings with his string of horses \ Tori O'Connor

Connaught Region

In the Connaught Region, the leagues went down to the wire at the final at Duffy’s Equestrian in August. It was very close at the top end of the leaderboard going into the final and with points on a half on offer, it was all to play for. The leagues began in May and took in six rounds, plus the final.

In the 1.15m league, Nicolas Canavan took the title in the Connaught Region SJI 1.15m division with Clover Falcon. The combination went into the final round on 31 points and were being chased by Clodagh Lee and Erne Cruising Breeze on 26 points. On 24 points was Aoife McCabe and Atlantic Coltaire. Winner of the final leg was AA rider Tara Brandon and Ice Cream VDT. With none of the top contenders placing in the final round, Canavan took the 2022 title.

A familiar face in these leagues, Galway’s Sven Hadley won the Duffy’s Sport Horses 1.25m Step Up league final aboard Harper de Seigneur, which was enough to win the league. Hadley had given himself a double chance of taking this title as he had clocked up 23 points with both Harper de Seigneur and Topspin. He was chased home by Shane Goggins who had accumulated 18 points with Boleybawn Cayman. The final day was a profitable one for Hadley as he took the runner-up place with Kabran De Reve Z, third with Jessy Van De Heide and fifth with HSH Harper Du Seigneur. Goggins and Boleybawn Cayman had to contend with sixth place in the final round, which wasn’t enough to take Hadley off the top of the leaderboard. Winner of the final round was Gabriel Slattery and Captain Candy Man.

In the 1.35m division, Lee Carey won the MSH Mullins Sport Horses with Luxity. This combination had a commanding lead on the board having clocked up 30 points. Carey also held second place going into the final with Kan Cruise on 15 points. James Joyce shared second place in the league as he had also clocked up 15 points with Garryduff Jar of Hearts. Winner of the final round was Shane Goggins and Boleybawn Cayman. Hadley also took third place with Phenomene Bleu VDM, just behind Vincent Mullins and Bushy Park Pasco. Katie Nallon took fourth with Bally Fair Deal and fifth with Javas True Colours. Hadley took home another share of the prize fund, taking sixth with Uidam.

Martin Flesk won the Beyond Beauty Claregalway amateur league after a very exciting jump-off. It was neck and neck going into the final round with Shauna Wilson and Omard Hannah on 29 points, followed by Martin Flesk and Killuppaun Magic on 28. In third place on 26 points was Angela Devaney and Cobra Khan. Also in contention was Cora Horan and Coronado on 22 points. However, a third place finish in the final round with Killuppaun Magic was enough for Flesk to take the title, while the winner of the final round was Cora Horan and Coronado.

Lee Carey and Luxity (pictured in winning form at Dublin 2022) won the 1.35m MSH Mullins Sport Horses in the Connaught Region \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net