A packed programme of action is on the cards for Claremorris this weekend with the three-day show taking in the national Premier League Grand Prix for the first time ever on Sunday and acting as the launching event for the Connacht Grand Prix League on Saturday. Last weekend was another one of note for Mayo riders with Ballindine’s Eric Glynn storming to superb victory at the Mullingar international show.
The young rider won the 1 metre 20 class at the prestigious midlands show riding ‘illy De Quincy’ in what will certainly rank as an early career highlight for the promising south Mayo talent. Glynn will no doubt be in action next weekend at his local show which promises to be an action packed three-day event for horses. The ponies took centre stage at the venue just off the N17 Claremorris by-pass this last weekend.
Next weekend’s Premier League series will be the highlight with the qualifiers taking place on Friday and the final on Sunday. A grand total of €12,000 in prize money is up grabs in the event which will see competitors jumping 1 metre 50. The leading contender will be the two-time winner already this year, Alex Duffy from Knockmore. The rising star was jumping in Lisbon last weekend and will be determined to maintain his push for the overall title with a victory on home soil.
The Connacht League makes a welcome return on Friday with another big field expected to take part. This will be the first event of the new season with a new format being introduced, where points will be awarded to rider/horse combinations rather than individuals this time around. Last weekend’s pony action took place on the sand arena to preserve the two grass arena’s for next weekend and with promising weather forecasts, organisers will be hoping to see a perfect weekend for jumping.
The pony classes in Claremorris on Sunday were a great success. Headford’s Clodagh Lee capped a fine weekend with a victory in the 148 5,6, and 7 years class on board Dun Believable. Galway’s Cian Melia had a top class weekend, he finished second to Lee in that event and won the 148 Grade A class on Arganiun Boy. Also, his fifth placed finish in the Premier Series Grand Prix event maintained his consistent form in that event.
