The Connaught League got underway last Monday at Galway Equestrian, drawing a large crowd in support of this popular regional series. As in previous years, the Derryronane Stud-sponsored 1.35m class proved a major attraction, with 40 combinations stepping up to compete.
A consistent supporter of the league, Shane Goggins claimed victory in the opening round, partnering Jack Galey’s Boleybawn Cayman to a clear in 42.19. The 14-year-old gelding, bred by Ronan Rothwell, is by Cassidee and out of Boleybawn Riverto, a mare sired by Ard VDL Douglas.
From the original field, 10 combinations progressed to the jump-off, with four delivering double clears. Last year’s champion, Sven Hadley, came closest to challenging the winning time aboard Tom McGurk’s homebred Kannan Contessa, finishing second in 45.70.
Goggins also secured a share of the €3,000 prize fund with another clear round, this time riding Gerard Lynch’s eight-year-old mare Lpf Dream of Hope in 47.96. By Asti Spumante and out of The Grey Duchess (by Duca Di Busted), this promising combination also featured at Millstreet the previous week.
Event rider Cathal Daniels delivered a composed performance with CSF Andrew, opting for a steady approach that resulted in a clear round in 53.81 for fourth place. This marked the first outing for the partnership, with the gelding previously campaigned by John McEntee. Daniels also took sixth place with Satelittenflieger K, finishing on four faults in 44.52. The 11-year-old gelding is by Stolzenberg.
Splitting Daniels’ placings was Aoife McCabe, who recorded four faults with Heritage Enigma in 43.85. The 11-year-old mare, bred by Anne-Marie O’Gorman, is by Eldorado Van De Zeshoek.
Premier Performance 1.20m
The Premier Performance 1.20m class attracted the largest entry of the day, with 51 combinations competing. Fresh from his Spring Tour success, Sven Hadley secured victory with Hsh Harper Du Seigneur, producing a clear round in 34.16.
Cathal Daniels, riding under the Duffy banner, took second place with Madame B in 35.78. Third place went to Zaid Ali Raad and B.E Flygold with a clear in 36.19. Ali Raad also claimed fifth place with Canchouetta PS (37.79), while Shane Goggins finished fourth with his own Clooncalagy Bobby in 37.22. James Derwin rounded out the top six aboard Newmarket Victor with a clear in 38.74.
Flexineb 1.10m
Young rider Finn Reynolds claimed victory in the 1.10m class with Technical Tom, an eight-year-old bred at Galway Equestrian. The pair delivered a flawless round in 33.36 to take the win.
Amateur rider Tara Brandon (AA) finished second with Bec Phoenix in 34.54. Zaid Ali Raad continued his strong form, placing again with B.E Flygold in 34.68. Nadine Carey and Sacre Bleu secured fourth with a clear in 36.83, followed by Liam Lynskey and Jazmine Blue in 36.94. Derek Shaw and VMS Dallance Cruise completed the top six in 37.23.
Connaught Showjumping Amateur League
In the amateur league, only two double clears were achieved. Shauna Wilson (A) and her own Omard Hannah proved fastest, stopping the clock at 41.45. Aoileann Nic An Iomaire (AA) opted for a more cautious approach with Kingsday Eurohill, finishing clear in 58.88 for second place.
Katy Nolan (A) and I’M A Quality Clover delivered the fastest four-fault round in the second phase, finishing in 32.02 to take third place.