PORTMORE Equestrian was a hive of activity last weekend, as it played host to their Spring Championships. On Sunday, the £2,000 1.35m Grand Prix saw 35 combinations going to post. It was a battle between Alex Finney and Jonathan Smyth, with the two riders taking four of the top placings in the top six line-up.

Claiming this victory was young rider Alex Finney aboard L’Esprit Hero Z, when she was fastest of five double clears in a 10-way jump-off in a time of 35.47. Owned by Eamon Bishop, the 15-year-old gelding was bred by Gerry Marron and Luc Henry and is by Lexicon and out of the For Pleasure-sired dam, Ikea Van’t Roosakker. This is the second big win for this combination of late, having claimed victory in the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour in Kernan’s in March. L’Esprit Hero Z was previously campaigned by Dermott Lennon and, amongst their wins on home soil, was the Premier Series in Mullingar in 2022.

Finney also took third place with her mother Jean’s MHS Style, when they crossed the line in a time of 37.22. Bred by the late Ita Brennan, the nine-year-old mare is by Kannan and is out of the Guidam-sired dam, MHS Lady Guidam.

Jonathan Smyth had to settle for the runner-up spot with Gillian Kerr’s Deloughtane Matoaka, when they clocked 37.18. Bred by John Walsh and Susan Maleen, the 10-year-old mare is by Tolan R and out of the Clover Hill-sired dam Ardsallagh Clover. This pairing took third place in the recent 1.35m Balmoral Qualifier in Cavan Equestrian.

Smyth added to his haul when he partnered Mulvin Cliodam to a clear in 37.47. Owned and bred by Richard Smyth, the 10-year-old mare is by Luidam and is out of the HHS BR Charlton-sired dam, Charlton Clio. It was a good weekend for this combination, as they took the honours in the 1.30m Grand Prix the day before, when fastest of just three double clears in a time of 42.63.

Victoria Clarke was last of the double clears with the Cavan Equestrian-owned Landlord 56 in a time of 38.63. The 16-year-old gelding is by Lord Pezi and is out of Corlando.

Harry Marshall posted a very fast time with his own Daylight VHS Z, clocking 35.94, but four faults meant that he slotted into sixth place. The 10-year-old mare is by Douglas and is out of the Indorado-sired dam, Morningstar. Marshall finished runner-up to Smyth in the 1.30m Grand Prix, when he was just two seconds slower.

1.20m Championship

Winner of the 1.20m Championship on Sunday was junior rider Alfie Adair, when he partnered Stephen Moore’s eight-year-old Charline Z to a double clear in 25.38. Lisa Priestly and Derryinver Premier Sarah were less than a second behind in 25.75 for second place. A clear from Jessica Thompson and Stellore Skipton in 26.91 saw them take third, ahead of Katie McLaughlin and Star La Tuliere, clear in 26.97. Accounting for fifth and sixth place was Megan McGettigan. She delivered a clear aboard KEC Dorian in 27.14 for fifth and was fractionally slower with Tullabeg Jackson, in a time of 27.27 for sixth place.

Olivia Roulston on Drumrankin Ebony, winners of the five-year-old Championship at Portmore \ Sporting Images NI

Five-year-old Championship

Winner of the five-year-old Championship, and with it the lion’s share of the £1,000, was Olivia Roulston and Drumrankin Ebony, when they came home clear in a time of 33.74. Owned by Vincent Burton, the mare is by Concorde and out of Drumrankin Ruby. Claiming the runner-up spot was Kieran Williams and Javas Dallas, when they clocked 34.44. A clear from Fergus Reid and Dunnanew Flamenco in a time of 36.40 ensured them third place. Bred by Fran McLeigh and owned by Derek Reid, the gelding is by Je T’aime Flamenco and is out of Melia Barcelo. Shane O’Reilly also delivered a clear with Brian McConville’s Bossa Nova Boy, but in a slower time of 36.56 for eventual fourth. This gelding was bred by Desmond Judge and is by Air Jordan Z and is out of Lux A Special Lady. Emma Jackson also kept all the poles in place with Roy Shields’ Rockrimmon Legacy in a time of 36.61 for eventual fifth. Bred by her owner, the mare is by Rockrimmon Senator and is out of Rockrimmon Flying Solo. Last of the double clears in a time of 42.56 and taking sixth place was Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Ganesh Melanie. Owned and bred by Richard Smyth, the mare is by Ganesh Hero Z and is out of Mondrian Ard Polo.

Six and Seven-year-old Championship

It was a worthwhile outing for Alex Finney, as she also led the victory lap in the six/seven-year-old championship. Riding the Stacey Watling-owned seven-year-old Amazing Alf, she was the fastest of four double clears in a time of 38.29. This gelding is by Aganix du Seigneur Z and out of the Heartbreaker-sired dam, Alina.

Almost a second behind (39.25) and taking the runner-up spot was Angela Waras, aboard the David Prentice-owned Stormbird (7yo). Bred by her owner, the mare is by O.B.O.S. Quality and out of Qualisica De Vansichant. Shannon Robinson answered all the questions aboard Joy Robinson’s JKS Vienna (7yo) in a time of 41.78 for third place. Bred by John Mulvey, the mare is by Ramiro B and is out of Tullibards Lux Sensational. Jodie Creighton played it safe with her mother Gillian’s six-year-old Quinteros Mr Popular and it paid off, as she was last of the double clears in 45.16. Bred by George McCullough, the gelding is by Quintero and out of Lakota Star.

Olivia Roulston put in a very fast round with Vincent Burton’s Drumrankin Dignity (6 yo), but four faults in 35.59 saw them take fifth place. Bred by Burton, the mare is by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet and is out of Drumrankin Gloria. Jonathan Smyth added to his record sheet as he took sixth place with the six-year-old MHB Magnum Splendor, when fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 40.10. Owned by Caroline Gaston and bred by Michael Beattie, the mare is by Marco Magnum and is out of Histoire Vesquerie.