CASTLE Irvine Necarne played host to the penultimate round of the Horse Sport Ireland Development series, with riders travelling from all around the country in a bid to collect the lucrative prize fund on offer in the aged classes.

In the four-year-old division, 16 of the 26 starters delivered clear rounds to share the £2,500 prize fund.

Winner of the five/six-year-old class was Jonathan Smyth and CSF Rio when they delivered a clear in 28.05 seconds. Owned by Richard Smyth and Sylvia Craig, the six-year-old, bred by Patrick Connolly, is by Quintero La Silla out of the Ars Vivendi-sired CSF Telly Clover. This combination has had a good season, claiming second in National Balmoral and qualifying for Dublin Horse Show.

Smyth also took third place with the Noletta Smyth-owned and -bred six-year-old Mulvin Springball, clear in 28.18. This chesnut mare is by Beach Ball out of the HHS-sired Laura’s Last.

Separating Smyth’s placings was Olivia Roulston and Sydney PMD, clear in 28.09. Owned by Aisling Doherty and bred by Patrick O’Shea, the five-year-old is by Quidam Junior out of Conchita de Sabare Z.

Hannah Patterson also maintained a clean sheet with her own five-year-old Derena Picture This, in 28.25 for fourth place. Bred by Francis Tubman, the mare is by Zirocco Blue VDL out of Miss Dallas x Aldatus Z. Winner of the round at JAG Equestrian, Richard Kerins added to his record sheet when he partnered the Korena Byrne-owned River Jordan to a clear in 29.16 for fifth place. The five-year-old home-bred mare is by Avos Jordan Z out of Miss Josie Jump. The combination took fourth place in the round in Tubberbride Equestrian Centre.

Slotting into sixth place was Laura Brown-McCann when she delivered a clear with her own Gracefield Mufasa in 29.24. Bred by Liz Brown, the six-year-old mare is by Je T’aime Flamenco out of Sligo Diamond Queen x VDL Douglas.

Win for McParland

Just 14 went to post in the seven/eight-year-old class and taking the win was Declan McParland and Corraghoe Red when fastest of the five double clears in 34.25. The seven-year-old, bred by Patrick Smith, is owned by McParland and John Clarke and this mare is by Mermus R out of the Cruising-sired Corraghoe Lioness. Richard Kerins took another share of the prize fund when he delivered a clear with Dermot Gormley’s seven-year-old Marius CK, in 34.30 for second place.

Catherine Thornton was less than a second behind with her own and David Campbell’s Coachella in 35.00. Bred by Tom and Linda Magee the eight-year-old is by Ustinov out of the Cruising-sired Ustinov.

It was a profitable day for Jonathan Smyth as he took fourth place here with the seven-year-old home-bred Luidam-sired mare Mulvin Cliodam in 35.14. Junior rider John Kirrane and the seven-year-old Candy High took fifth, when last of the double clears in 35.25. Bred by Padraig Woods, the gelding is by Sligo Candy Boy out of Starlight Connie x Condios. Completing the top six line-up was Darren Irwin and the eight-year-old Hold Up Premier-sired mare Trebra Premier Douglas when they finished as the fastest four-faulter in a time of 35.30.

1.35m Grand Prix

Jonathan Smyth had much to celebrate as he took the win as well as second place in the £2,000 1.35m Grand Prix. Riding the Ann Doherty-owned Crystal Graf, he lodged the winning time of 41.86. Riding Dominic Rice’s Premier Spirit, he took the runner-up spot when clear in 45.71. Fergus Reid claimed third place with the seven-year-old Quintabell when they crossed the line with nothing to add in 48.38 for third place.

Young rider Ellen Thompson slotted into fourth place with Alejandro Two, last of the double clears in 54.39 for fourth place. Richard Kerins also had a good day as he accounted for fifth place with the seven-year-old Roanwood My Hometown when they had one on the ground in 46.82.

Fastest of the four-faulters in the first round and taking sixth place were John Kirrane and Roscrib de Ross.