EVENT riders dominated the Gain Alltech Grand Prix last Sunday at Wexford Equestrian, with three of them taking the top slots in the 1.40m Grand Prix line-up.

Patrick Whelan proved to be a popular winner, as the Wexford rider partnered his own Ikoon Lan DHI to a clear in 30.89 seconds. It has been a busy month for Whelan, as he was in action at Ballindenisk CCI1*-L and before that in Kronenberg CCI4*-S, where he picked up a fifth place finish.

Speaking after the win, Whelan said: “It was great to win here in Wexford Equestrian, as it is my local venue and they always do a great job. The horse’s main discipline is eventing and we have been on Nations Cup teams, but he is also very good over the coloured poles. He is very brave and stepped up for the challenge today. I have competed him in a few of the Spring Tours and I am hoping that he may jump a few Premiers. The plan is to hopefully travel to Luhmühlen in June. I think it’s great to see eventers in the top line-up, as we see more and more event horses jumping successfully at this level.”

Regarding the class, he added: “It was very exciting, as Cathal was first to go and then Jennifer. I had a bit of work to catch them and thankfully it paid off.”

Bred by R Lycklama A Nijeholt, Ikoon Lan DHI is an 11-year-old gelding by Emillion and out of the Indoctro-sired dam, Tily.

He was formerly owned by Cathal Daniels and jumped up to 1.20m with him until 2020. Under Whelan’s command in April, Ikoon Lan DHI finished second in the 1.30m in Barnadown.

Contestants

Sponsored by Mary Barry’s Bar Kilmore and Harmony Solars, 17 combinations contested this round of the series and, from those, nine booked their place in the timed round over the John Doyle-designed course.

Laois rider Jennifer Kuehnle and Gallia 5 were fractions behind, stopping the clock in a time of 31.05. Owned by Hofgut Im Spess GMHB & Co. KG, this 10-year-old German mare is by Cardino and out of the Carpaccio-sired dam, Majestik. Kuehnle has only returned from her European travels, where she competed in eventing in Kronenberg CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S.

Kildare rider Cathal Daniels, also kept the poles in place with Cappog Tomy in a time of 32.29 for third place. The 13-year-old gelding was bred by Tommy Reilly and is by Camiro De Haar Z and out of Cornacassa Ferro. This combination has been placed at this level last year. Daniels, like Kuehnle, was also in action in eventing in Kronenberg.

It was a good day for Francis Connors, as he took three of the top seven places in the line-up. Connors delivered his best result with RNH Valentino, delivering a clear in 35.89 seconds for fourth place. Owned by Raymond McChesney and bred by Normand Hammond, the nine-year-old gelding is by Van Gogh and out of the Beach Ball-sired dam, RNH Beach Ball.

Wexford rider Ciaran Moran also kept the poles in place with Greenhall Mullord in a time of 36.24 for fifth place. Owned by Margaret Fennell and bred by Derry Rothwell, the seven-year-old gelding is by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet and is out of the Cruising-sired dam, Millennium Cruise.

Francis Connors then filled sixth and seventh places. Riding Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, he finished as fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 35.41 for sixth place. Owned by Francis, Jenny and Kate Connors, the nine-year-old mare was bred by John Warner and is by Dondoctro Ryal K and is out of Carrigshawn Vendi. This mare has already shown great scope, finishing second in the Plusvital 1.55m/1.60m Grand Prix in the Irish Breeders Classic in September 2023 and third in the Autumn Grand Prix in Wexford. They also claimed fourth place in the opening round of the Show jumpers Spring Tour in Jag Equestrian and sixth in the round at Tipperary.

Connors also had one on the ground with JM Just a Dream in 40.91 for seventh place. Owned by Francis, Helen and Stephen Connors and bred by Jimmy Lawler, the eight-year-old is by Toulon and is out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam, Litany Cavalier.

1.30m

Earlier in the day, it was junior rider Cáit Kenny that took the win in the Paddy O’Donnell Show jumping-sponsored 1.30m class. Riding Sorcha Kenny’s eight-year-old Good Guy D’Authuit, she lodged the winning round of clear in 30.37. This combination also took third place in the 1.20m class, behind winner Hannah Connors Smyth and Ad Fundum D’Ersr Z.

Cathal Daniels and the seven-year-old Ardragh Lucky Lass was fractions behind in 30.59 for second place in the 1.30m. Patrick Byrne and Oughterard Diva also kept all the poles standing in a time of 30.78 for third place. Slotting into fourth place was Francis Connors and the seven-year-old, AHG White Rock Cornetcruise in a time of 31.01. Michael Moran, clear with the seven-year-old Marshmallow in a time of 32.02, saw him take fifth place. Paddy O’Donnell and the seven-year-old Castleconnell Candy Man completed the top six, when clear in 34.68.