The opening two days of our Spring Championship Show kindly sponsored by Bluegrass Horse Feeds delivered outstanding sport, with tight jump-offs and championship titles hotly contested across every height.
Friday – Bluegrass Mini Grand Prix Caps Competitive Opening Day
The first two classes on Friday gave competitors a chance to focus on double clears. Timed phases began from the 1.10m class on, setting the tone for a weekend of competitive classes building steadily throughout.
In Friday’s 1.10m class Danni Jennings and her own Super Star claimed victory, edging out Olivia Roulston aboard seven-year-old Lammy Mars Star, while Niccola Hall secured third with Ladykiller.
The 1.20m saw Jane Clarke and Lapatera Ryal K take top honours ahead of Sammy Weston with Lynara Rioja in second. Katie McLaughlin partnered the eight-year-old The Story into third place in another closely fought class.
The day concluded with the 1.25m Bluegrass Mini Grand Prix, kindly sponsored by Bluegrass Horse Feeds. Jodie Creighton proved to be in exceptional form, claiming victory with Alyson Henry’s Smalltown Boy IV and returning to the podium for third aboard Lisa Talbot’s eight-year-old GHS Freemont. Sandwiched between them in second place was Rebecca McGoldrick with seven-year-old Silver Lining IV, rounding off a high-quality feature class.
Saturday – Championship Titles Decided
Saturday brought Championship day, and with it an added intensity as riders competed for both placings and prestigious titles.
The 1m Championship saw a lightning-fast performance from the talented partnership of Grace McGarry and Quality Quick Star, whose round proved unbeatable. Sophie McKeen finished second with Pinecroft Kamiro, while Elle Moore and Reagan secured third.
In the 1.10m Championship, Rory Lavery dominated proceedings, taking victory with seven-year-old Forever My Girl and also finishing third aboard Pinecroft Jedburgh. Danni Jennings continued her excellent weekend form by slotting into second place once again with Super Star.
The 1.20m Championship title went to Sammy Weston, who improved on the prior day’s 120 second place with a win on Hilary Weston’s Daphne. John McEntee claimed second with eight-year-old Cloonfush, while Victoria Brown guided Let’s Not Talk into third.
Saturday concluded with a thrilling 1.30m Grand Prix, where margins were razor-thin. Just 0.89 seconds separated first and second in a nail-biting finish. It was Emma McEntee who ultimately took the win with the very talented Hobalo, narrowly finishing ahead of Shane O’Reilly aboard eight-year-old Billy Santandiago. Patricia Stewart Greer completed the podium with eight-year-old Domino Z.
With championship honours awarded and the Grand Prix producing thrilling action right to the final fence, the first two days of the Spring Championship Show showcased the depth of talent competing at Portmore. The stage was perfectly set for Sunday’s Fraser Homes Ulster Tour opener to round off a memorable weekend of sport.
Photographer for Friday was John Gibson from Sporting Images NI, click here for his galleries from this show.
To visit the Bluegrass Horse Feeds website for excellent equine nutrition guidance and options, click here.
Click here for Sunday’s report on the Fraser Homes Ulster GP Series First Leg!
