CLEM McMahon put his first win on the board in the 2023 Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix last Saturday in the Silverbirch Hotel-sponsored class at Omagh Show. Riding Athea Clover Trend, he delivered a foot-perfect performance in a time of 35.72.

Owned and produced by Derry Kingston in Clonakilty, Co Cork and bred by John Joe Tierney, the 10-year-old gelding is by Future Trend out of Athea Clover Breeze. McMahon took over the ride in March and the combination have demonstrated good form, winning an international class at Balmoral in May.

Speaking after the win, McMahon said: “It was great to take the win here today at what was a great show. I would like to congratulate the committee for all their hard work in providing an excellent jumping surface. It is clear to see their work paid off as it jumped really well. I firmly believe that these types of agriculture shows should be encouraged and supported. It was also wonderful to see the spectators enjoying the show jumping.”

Of his horse, McMahon added: “He is only new to this level but has stepped up with ease in the last eight weeks. He is really a top quality jumping horse with a lot of scope, along with being very careful. I am really looking forward to the future with him.”

In total, just 16 took up the challenge and, from those, six booked their place in the second round. In what was a very exciting jump-off, just a split second separated the top two placings.

Defending champion Jonathan Smyth, fresh from four-star wins at Bolesworth and Hickstead in England, added to his leaderboard tally when he took second place with Crystal Graf, delivering a clear in 35.79. Owned by Ann Doherty and by her late husband Anthony, Crystal Graf is a 10-year-old gelding by Lux Z out of Lady Graf.

Catherine Thornton’s decision to take the longer lines with Coachella paid off when she delivered a clear in 37.72 for third place. Coachella is jointly owned by Thornton and David Campell and was bred by Tom and Linda McGee. The nine-year-old is by Ustinov out of the Cruising-sired Icing.

Dermott Lennon was out of luck when he had one on the ground with Gelvins Touch in 36.55 for eventual fourth place. Owned by Victoria Loane, the 17-year-old is by Touchdown out of the Diamond Lad mare Whitestown Diamond. Lennon currently shares joint-second place on the overall leaderboard (Anthem In My Heart) with Sven Hadley (Phenomene Bleu VDM) on 24 points.

Slotting into fifth place was Mackenzie Healy when she finished on eight faults in a time of 38.25 with McFadden Quine’s Domar Van De Neerheide.

Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out (Kroongraaf x Diamond Serpent) proved out of luck when they finished on eight faults in a time of 53.56 for sixth place. This result means that Smyth and Mulvin are still top of the overall leaderboard on 27 points.

SJI Summer Series

Omagh Show also played host to a qualifying round of the SJI Summer Series on Friday and Saturday.

The 1.30m SJI Summer Series saw 21 combinations go to post in the TRM-sponsored class with five double clears being delivered.

Clinching victory on this occasion was Jonathan Smyth and MB Sandro Star when they clocked 31.50. Owned by Caroline Gaston and bred by Michael Beattie, the seven-year-old is by Sandro Boy out of the Socrate De Chivre-sired Histoire Vesquerie.

Nicole Kershaw and the seven-year-old BP Elvanas took the runner-up spot, clear in 31.70, ahead of Michael Roche and his own seven-year-old Mr Rocky Blue, clear in 31.78. A clear round from Clem McMahon and the seven-year-old Grand Prix Dk in 36.12 put him back in the ribbons, taking fourth, while in fifth was Sean Foley and Ugadi Hero Z, clear in 39.51.

Jonathan Smyth put in a very fast round with Keelnacally Cobra Clover but four faults in 32.80 was only good enough for sixth place.

1.20m

Winner of the 1.20m SJI Summer Series was Jessica Thompson and Stellor Skipon when she was the fastest of three double clears in a time of 26.27 seconds. Lynn Russell and Akasha were fractions behind, clocking 26.35 for second, ahead of Jonathan Smyth and Fyfin Glenn Boy, clear in 30.55.

Amateur rider (AA) Niamh McFall and Bay of Biscay led the victory lap in the 1.10m section when they came home clear in 26.06. Fellow amateur rider Frances Kealey (A) and Danny Boy wasted no time, delivering a clear in 27.28 for second. Antoinette Burns (AA) and Joitin Joe Di Maggio also kept the poles in their cups in 27.64 for third, ahead of Kevin Mackey and Caugherty Ronand in 28.43. Jason Pattesron and Downshire Game of Thrones came home clear in 29.35 for fifth, while in sixth was Deane Rogan and MCG Emerald.

Winner of the one-metre section was amateur rider Avril Mackarel (A) and Ashtree Apple Blossom, clear in 37.35.