THE first international class of the show saw a win for Ireland, as Jason Foley and Durango VDL emerged as the winners of the 1.35m Topspec International Speed. Foley had the advantage of going late in the draw and he didn’t hang around, stopping the clock in a time of 56.09 seconds.

Owned by Halo Capital, 16-year-old stallion Durango VDL was the first of many approved sons of the Keur-stallion Zirocco Blue VDL, out of the proven mother line Narona by Lux Z. This stallion has no shortage of experience, jumping up to CSI3* 1.50m-1.60m level with Ashley Fleischhacker (USA). More recently, he jumped at CSI3* level with Wim Janssen (NED).

In total, 35 went to post and 24 delivered clears, with the top six coming home within 61 seconds.

Dermott Lennon set the bar high, coming home with nothing to add aboard Esprit Hero Z in 57.30, which would later see him take the runner-up spot. British rider Joe Fernyhough, tried hard to catch Lennon aboard Calcourt Countdown, but a time of 58.34 would see him settle for third place. National Champions Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out had to be content with fourth place, when they finished fractions behind in a time of 58.41. Slotting into fifth was Katie McEntee and Roundthorn Hercules, clear in 59.75. British visitor Adrian Whiteway, accounted for sixth place with Cooley Network, crossing the line in a time of 60.52.

International Stakes

Niamh McEvoy left her rivals in her wake, as she led the victory lap in the CRL Clive Richardson Ltd International Stakes. Riding Jasmim Da Hermida, she kept all the poles in place in a time of 40.70 seconds in what turned out to be a 17-way jump-off. Owned by Pedro Horta Osorio, the eight-year-old mare is by Milton du Murier FR. Sixth to go in the class, Commandant Geoff Curran set the bar high, as he delivered a clear with Dhf Alliance in a time of 40.89, which would prove good enough for second place. Coen Williams also delivered a clear with J.Diago, but failed to catch the leaders when crossing the line in a time of 41.04. Alex Finney and Absolutely Kingmar finished fractions behind in 41.93 for eventual fourth. A clear from Aimee Barry and Garryndruig Limoncello in 42.47 saw her take fifth. Winner of the TRM Show jumpers Tour, Annabel Shields added to her record as she took sixth with Creevagh Carisma, when clear in 42.77.

Speed Challenge

British visitor Joe Fernyhough made no mistake in the preceding 1.40m The Rydale International Speed Challenge as he landed this victory. Riding the eight-year-old mare Calcourt Countdown, who is by Westpoint Quickfire, he lodged the winning time of 62.19 seconds. His closest rival was Katie McEntee and Roundthorn Hercules, when they came home in a time of 63.19. Anthony Condon put in a very fast round with Sfs Houdini, stopping the clock in a time of 64.16 for third place. Almost two seconds behind was Alex Finney and MHS Style, who crossed the line in 66.06 for eventual fourth. British rider Jonathan Dixon and Ardenica had one on the floor, which saw them finish on an adjusted time of 67.26 for fifth place. Francis Connors kept all the poles in place with RNH Valentino, but a slower time of 68.05 saw him take sixth place.

International Spectacular

Jason Foley claimed his second win of the show on Thursday, as he led the victory lap in the 1.45m Connolly’s Red Mills International Spectacular aboard the stallion Durango VDL. Jack Ryan set the bar high aboard DSH Lucky Junior, coming home in 49.33 to take the lead and later third. Ryan’s time held temporarily, as Joe Fernyhough and Calcourt Particle reduced the time to 47.59 to take the lead. James Brennan, put in a gallant attempt with Mhs Im The One, but one on the ground in a time of 48.12 meant he had to settle for fifth. Katie McEntee and Kinmar Bespoke suffered the same fate as Brennan, but a faster time of 46.33 saw her take fourth. Also carrying four faults was Commandant Geoff Curran on Dhf Alliance in a time of 50.96 for eventual sixth. Using his late draw to his advantage, Jason Foley knew what was required, as he took to the course with Durango VDL. A series of tight lines saw him lodge the winning round of clear in 45.96 and, as a result, demoted Joe Fernyhough into second.

International Accumulator

Lunchtime on Friday saw 25 lined out for the 1.40m The ClipMyHorse.TV International Accumulator. There was a very high standard in the class, with 14 of the original starters clocking up the maximum. First to set the target of 65 was Molly Hughes Bravo and HHS Orchidee in a time of 56.11. Although this was a strong round, it would only prove good enough for sixth place. This lead held only temporarily as five combinations bettered it. Clem McMahon was to deliver the winning round. Riding Grand Prix DK, he shaved almost five seconds off the time, coming home in a time of 50.93. This eight-year-old mare is by Vigo DArsoulilles STX and is out of the Diamant De Semilly-sired dam, Vialotta D’Ick. This combination spent the early part of the year competing in Oliva.

It was a good week for Joe Fernyhough (GBR), as he had already recorded two wins and two runner-up placings. This time riding Calcourt Countdown, he took second place when he came home in a time of 52.24. Fernyhough also took home the Leading International Athlete Award and the Leading International Speed Athlete Award, presented by Causeway Coast Show jumpers. Adrian Whiteway (GBR) and Cooley Network crossed the line fractions of a second behind in 53.36 for third place. Going late in the draw, James Brennan didn’t hang about with Mhs Im The One, but his time of 53.57 saw him take fourth place. Alex Barr (GBR) and Preben van de Doornakkers accounted for fifth place, when they stopped the clock in a time of 55.23.