JASON Higgins was certainly on form as he took the top two placings in last Sunday’s Boomerang six/seven-year-old Final at Millstreet International Horse Show. In total 40 combinations went to post and from those 17 booked their place in the second round in a bid to claim the €25,000 on offer.

Higgins delivered the winning round aboard MBF Be Blue, when he left all the poles in place in a time of 40.30. Owned by the rider and Meabh Bolger, the six-year-old German bred mare is by Chaccon Blue and is out of the Highvalley-sired Highness Z.

Not content with the win he also took second with MBF Maxwill when answering all the questions in a time of 41.36. Owned by the same duo, the six-year-old stallion is by Do Spiritivo out of a Damiro mare. The pairing have been in form of late, taking third place in the Grand Final of the HSI Studbook Series in Tattersalls and third in the overall league.

“I am absolutely thrilled to take first and second in such a prestigious class,” said Higgins afterwards.

“Some great riders and horses have won this class and it’s wonderful to be up there with them. It was very tough all week with 120 combinations in the qualifiers and I knew the final would be even more competitive.

“The winning horse, MBF Be Blue, I bought her just four months ago. She was very green when I bought her but she has really stepped up to the mark very quickly. I think after Dublin she learned a lot that we could put into play here. She was clear in the qualifying classes in Dublin but just not quick enough. I felt that with the experience gained at Dublin, I could push her on a bit.”

Talented team

“I bought MBF Maxwill around Christmas last year and again he was relatively green. We started him off last March and he moved up very quickly through the HSI Studbook Series. In Dublin he was second in a qualifier and had one down in the final,” Higgins continued.

“I am lucky to have two talented horses at this level. The plan all going well is the Breeders’ Classic and hopefully Lanaken.”

Paul Beecher took the slightly longer route with Brogagh Darcy and it paid off as he came home clear in 43.14 for third. Owned by Paul’s wife Seryna, the six-year-old mare is by Dakar VDL out of the Warrenstown WE 3-sired Brocka Cruising Lucy. No stranger to this level of competition, the pair won the five/six-year-old class in Bannow and Rathangan in July as well as the HSI Studbook Series at Cork Summer Show.

James Joyce and his own home-bred stallion, The Wayfarer, were the next fastest of the clears in 44.77 for fourth place. The six-year-old is by Garryduff Jar of Hearts out of the Taloubet Z sired dam, Garryduff Tally.

Accounting for fifth place was Patrick Hickey and Co Blue PS when they came home with nothing to add in 46.34. The seven-year-old gelding is owned by his brother William Hickey and is by Cornet Obolensky.

Less than a second behind to take sixth place was Oliver Glancy aboard his own Clonterm Obolensky, clear in 47.04.Bred by Brian Duff, the seven-year-old gelding is Cornet Obolensky out of the Lux Z-sired dam She Has the Lux.