THE inaugural SJI Summer Series concluded last weekend at Mullingar with the finals taking place last Sunday. The final leg of the series, which was launched by the SJI back in March, boasted a total prize fund of €10,000 which was co-sponsored by Irish Commercials, J Ryan Group, Mervue Equine, Hartog and Equine Safety Initiative.

Along with the class prize money, Chairman of Showjumping Ireland, Christy Murphy, sponsored €1,000 for the leading rider in each of the Summer Series divisions.

1.30m

In the 1.30m division it was Mark Duffy and a Star Is Born who took the title when they were fastest of just two double clears from a starting field of 16 finalists. Duffy, who went early in the draw, set the winning time of 39.67. Owned by Kate Duffy and bred by Mick Kearney, the nine-year-old mare is by Sir Shutterfly out of Corlisheen Princess.

Anne Marie Glennon took a more cautious approach with her own Coldplay 25, and it paid off as she delivered the second clear of the class in a time of 41.11.

Junior rider Daisy McNamara was unlucky to have one down with Caspetito Z, but her time of 50.28 proved good enough for third place. Slotting into fourth place as the only other combination to make it through to the second round was Tholm Keane aboard Neil Egan’s eight-year-old Cloonbarry Kannan King, when they had two down in a time of 50.81.

1.20m

Leading the victory lap in the 1.20m division was junior rider Shauna Curtis when she partnered the Kerie Curtis -owned Knockbrack Diamond Lady to a double clear in 32.69. Curtis was chased home by Tholm Keane aboard Neil Egan’s seven-year-old, Cloonbarry Kannalilly, crossing the line clear in 35.14. Ken Feeney and the seven-year-old Limbo H accounted for third when they kept the poles in place in a time of 41.02.

Mark Duffy and Star Is Born were back in the ribbons, taking fourth as the fastest four faulters in a time of 32.37. Michelle Desmond also had one on the ground with the Ken Feeney-owned Nice & Easy SR Z, but in a slower time of 36.74 for fifth place.

Also returning to the line-up was junior rider Daisy McNamara, taking sixth with Caspetito Z when fastest of the four faulters in the first round.

1.10m

It has been a great season for Brona Keane and she topped it off by winning the 1.10m Summer Series final. Riding the Aileen O’Connor-owned Quality Diamond, she lodged the winning round when fastest of the four double clear rounds in 28.66.

Chantal Kiely and Totally Focused were her closest rivals, coming home clear in 32.12. Accounting for third place was amateur rider Lauryn Power [AA] who, riding Asa Berggren’s Brookpark Vito, were fractions of a section behind in 32.31 for third place. Children on Horses rider, Lily P Slattery also remained within the 33 second mark, delivering the final double clear in 32.68 for eventual fourth.

1m

In total, 29 combinations contested the 1m final and leading the victory lap was Kate Murray aboard her own seven-year-old Crynolisk Feisty Blue, the best of just three double clears in 32.55.

There was nothing between the placings as fellow amateur rider Laura Clinton [A] riding Furore S crossed the line clear in 32.88 to take second. Aisling Donoghue [AA] opted for the longer lines with her own Belfields Captain and answered all the questions in a time of 39.59 for third place. Lauryn Power [AA] proved out of luck when she incurred a single time fault (43.61) in the second round aboard her five-year-old I’m Yer Man, filling fourth place. Junior rider Emily Crawford and LGS Safari also clocked up a single time fault, clocking 43.86 for fifth place.

90cm

The 90cm final saw 34 combinations battle it out and claiming this victory was sports member Laura Carrick and My Foxy Lass, when they lodged the winning time of 30.40 against the clock, fastest of 17 double clears.

Claiming the runner-up spot was young rider Roisin Kavanagh and Galaxy Diamond when they were fractions behind with nothing to add in 30.59. Third place belonged to junior rider Amie Carey and the five-year-old Mr Numero Blue when they maintained a clean sheet in 30.70.

Slotting into fourth place was Orla Dixon and her own seven-year-old Ravens Korod’Or Labelle, clear in 31.17.

A clear in 31.56 for amateur rider (A) Edwina O’Connor and Ashwood Reggie saw her take fifth place, ahead of sports member Vicky Collins and the Interpreter who were clear in 32.20.

The leading rider prize of €1,000 to each division was presented on the day. They were: 90cm – Conrad McGuinnes; 1m – Ciara Quinn; 1.10m – Lorraine Younge; 1.20m – Stephen Gibbons; 1.30m – Tholm Keane.

Along with the individual Summer Series finals, the team championship saw the winners take home an SJI membership each. The winners Conrad McGuinness, Sarah McLean, Niamh McFall and Danielle Logan.

Sports Member All-Ireland Final

The 90cm Sports Member All-Ireland Final which boasted a prize fund of €1,800 saw another win for Laura Carrick. Riding her own My Foxy Lass, they put in a faultless round in 41.55 seconds to claim the title.

Pauline Burke came closest to catching the winner aboard her own Danagher when she came home clear in 42.13. Ellie Ward put in a very fast round with Ardnaglass Lizzy, clocking 37.06, but it came at a price as she had one down and had to settle for third place.

Also, on four faults but in a slower time of 37.64 was Vickie Collins and the Interpreter for eventual fourth place.