Though the title was still up for grabs going into the final, with Liam O’Meara and Mark Finnerty not featuring in the line-up, McConnell had it won by booking a place in the six-way jump-off.

In the end, he claimed the league on a total of 47 points, nine points ahead of his closest rival.

Speaking after the class, McConnell said of his horse Dothraki Warlord:

“It is hugely satisfying to win the national title, both as a professional rider and as some one who has produced this horse from a three-year-old up to this level. I always knew he was a special horse and I would like to thank the Hennessy’s for buying him.”

Claiming the runner-up spot in the league was Jonathan Smyth and Crystal Tom, while third place in the league went to Liam O’Meara and Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight.

Final Round

Claiming the final leg was Paul Beecher and Ikona V.’T Recht Eind. They posted the winning round of clear in 35.67 seconds when first to go.

Second last to go, Jason Higgins wasted no time with Dondoctro Ryal K. Desite a series of tight turns, a clear in 36.25 seconds proved good enough for second place.

Young rider Jennifer Kuehnle also put in a faultless performance with Tullibards Miss Optimistic. Their time of 36.89 seconds saw them take third place.

Second to go against the clock, Derek McConnell set off in a determined pace with Dothraki Warlord and a clear in 40.54 seconds saw him slot into fourth place.

Tholm Keane proved out of luck when he had one on the floor with BMH Big Time, but his time of 40.80 seconds saw him fill fifth place.

Last to go, Paul Beecher returned with Glamstone, but his decision to retire mid-way through the course, meant a sixth-place finish for him.

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The Tipperary rider claimed victory and took the lion’s share of the CoilÓg-sponsored class with Mr Coolcaum, when he was the fastest of the four double clears in the seven-way jump-off in a time of 39.46 seconds. This was the first win for O’Meara with the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse Mr Coolcaum in the 2020 league.

Not content with this result he took sixth place with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, when he crossed the line carrying four faults in 38.32 seconds. This was an important result for O’Meara as it added an extra four points to the pairing’s tally going into the round at Wexford Equestrian Centre next weekend.

Speaking after the win, the Tipperary man admitted:

“I am delighted at how both horses jumped. I was a bit late following the league, but I am glad to be at the top end of the leader board going into the final. It was a really well-run show and Tom Holden-designed a great course, fitting to the penultimate round.”

Wicklow’s Mark Finnerty and his horse All Action, who had accumulated 25 points on the leaderboard moved up on the points tally when they secured a second-place finish in this round, leaving him now on 33 points. The combination were only fractions behind the winners, as they delivered a clear round in 39.70 seconds.

Gemma Phelan and Coolisheal Lance took the longer lines and this safer approach was rewarded as they came home clear in 41.82 seconds for third place.

Taking fourth place in the line-up was Derek McConnell and Dothraki Warlord, who were the last combination of the double clears in 50.71 seconds. The result sees the Kildare rider add six points to his existing tally of 35 points, putting him in poll position ahead of the final next weekend in Wexford Equestrian.

Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney with Andiamix Hero Z clocked 37.94 seconds, but it came at a price as he incurred four faults and slotted into fifth place.

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Riding Javas Gucci, an eight-year-old gelding, he took home the winner’s share of the €4,000 on offer in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds-sponsored class.

Pender, who returned from a successful tour in Europe, has made his presence felt on the National Circuit. Last weekend at The Irish Breeders Class at Barnadown, he took second place in the five-year-old All Studbook class with Cubix van de Berghoeve Z and fifth in the 1.50m Grand Prix with HHS Calais.

Reigning National Grand Prix Champion Liam O’Meara took second when clocking 43.43 seconds, ahead of Derek McConnell and Dothraki in 44.74 seconds.

Tim MacDonagh also put in a foot perfect round with Hollypark Galloway, but a slower time of 45.48 seconds proved good enough for fourth place in the line-up.

Philip Gaw and Ardnacashel Coovella stopped the clock in 45.52 seconds for fifth place, edging out Adam Carey and Quebello D who produced a clear round in 45.69 seconds for sixth place.

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With only three rounds of the competition remaining, riders will go in search of crucial extra points in the Bluegrass Horsefeeds-sponsored class worth €4,000.

With the top four contenders in the Underwriting Exchange League all due to contend in Portmore exciting action is expected tomorrow.

Current leader Jonathan Smyth and Crystal Tom lead the competition on 38 points, having shown great consistency in securing three wins and a second-place finish.

The reigning National Grand Prix Champion, Liam O’ Meara and Curraghgraigue Jack Take Fligh, are hot on Smyth’s heels on 30 points, while in third place is Derek Mc Connell and Dothraki Warlord sit on 28 points. Despite both of these riders failing to register a win in the competition so far this season, they have been consistently placed throughout the rounds.

Mark Finnerty is on 25 points in fourth place, following a win and three other placings.

Winner of the round in Tipperary Equestrian, Joan Greene and Vivendi Tipperary are declared to jump on Saturday and will also be looking to gather extra points and will be one to watch.

In total, 47 combinations have been declared for this round, and of those 15 spots are occupied by young riders. Amongst the young riders on the list is Mikey Pender, Molly Hughes Bravo, Adam Carey, Annie Courtney-Cadam (JU/YR), Jon McEntee, Brendan Murphy, Katie Conlon, Kerrie Kerr and Mackenzie Healy (JU/YR).

Following his big win in the Irish Breeders Classic on Monday (5 & 6 yr championship), Kevin Gallagher will be looking to add to his record sheet. Gallagher has declared three horses to contest this round (Arcadia LVS Z (8 YO), ESI Star Struck, Flexability).

Ulster riders won’t let the win go that easily and amongst those to watch are Luke Campbell, Frank Curran and Kenneth Graham. The Army Equitation School will be represented by Captain Geoff Curran and Captain Charlene Kehoe.

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Ulster riders will be well represented this weekend on the start list which includes former World Showjumping Champion Dermott Lennon, (Athletix Hero Z, L’esprit Hero Z and MJM Pursuit). Clem Mc Mahon (Hilton Banner), Annie Courtney – Cadam and Frank Curran (Ardragh Chekoff) will also be looking to take home their first Grand Prix win of the season.

Jonathan Smyth will be hoping to add points to his standing as he takes it on with three mounts Charlton Clio, Crystal Tom and Kilderrys Diamond. Smyth is currently lying top of the leaderboard with Crystal Tom on 28 points and will be looking to extend this lead with his closest rival Liam O’ Meara not jumping at this round.

Other names on the start-list include Cian O’Connor and his students, Max Watchman and Tom Wachman. HHS stud will also be well represented by Molly Hughes Bravo (Casanova Van Overis Z HHS Catwalk) and by Mikey Pender who has three mounts declared (Diamino Blue, HHS Burnchurch, and HHS Calais).

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Riding the eight-year-old, Tempo Manor, he was fastest of just two double clears in a time of 43.45 seconds. Curran opted for a safer approach with his second mount, Drumiller Lough and it paid off as he lodged the second clear of the class in 45.11 seconds and took home the winner’s share in the €2,000 TRM-sponsored class.

This round of the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix saw 36 combinations take on the Alan Wade-designed course, which saw only five combinations going through to the jump-off.

National Grand Prix Champion, Liam O’Meara put in great challenge with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, but a pole on the ground in a time of 39.75 seconds, would see him settle for third place.

Event rider Cathal Daniels had two on the ground with Cappog Tomy in 45.82 seconds, which saw him take fourth place.

Young rider John McEntee crossed the line having clocked up 20 faults with Hip Girl, but it was still good enough for fifth place.

Last year’s Hickstead Derby-winning rider Mikey Pender proved out of luck when not failing to book a place in the jump-off with Javas Gucci due to four faults. However, a fastest of the four faulters in a time of 76.79 seconds meant a sixth-place finish for him. Pender wasn’t too disappointed as he had claimed victory in the earlier 1.30m class with HHS Fortune when he produced the winning round of clear in 30.44 seconds.

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Joan Greene took her first win in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix on Saturday, when taking the victory aboard Vivendi Tipperary. The Clare native came home with nothing to add in 37.08 seconds to take the winner’s share of the €2,000 in the Tipperary Equestrian sponsored class.

This was Greene and the ten-year-old mare’s third Grand Prix since the season resumed. At the round in Barnadown, they produced a double clear round, but finished outside the top six placings.

Taking the runner-up spot on Saturday were Kevin Gallagher and ESI Star Struck, crossing the line clear in 38.09 seconds.

Greg Broderick was third with the eight-year-old Coolivio PS in 40.73 seconds, with Waterford’s Gemma Phelan and Coolisheal Lance fourth with a clear round in a time of 42.10 seconds.

On Sunday, Wicklow man Mark Finnerty won round eight of the Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix in Killossery, with the nine-year-old chestnut gelding All Action, as the pair produced a winning clear round in 37.25 seconds.

Taking the runner-up spot behind the young rider from Redcross in Wicklow was Stephen Murphy with Chantelle, as the combination kept all the poles in place in a time of 37.96 seconds.

Derek Mc Connell filled two slots in this line-up. Riding the seven-year-old mare, Izzy, he was fastest of the four faulters in 38.21 seconds for third place, while he also took fifth place with the eight-year-old Dothraki Warlord – this combination were the fastest four faulters in the first round in 69.94 seconds.

Separating Mc Connell’s placings, when slotting into fourth place was Thomas Foley and Cassido, who also had a pole down in a time of 39.38 seconds.

John Floody also had one pole down in the first round with Ballyknock Diamond, but a fast time of 70.70 seconds saw them take sixth place.

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Riding Crystal Tom, he saw off seven other combinations in a competitive jump-off. Going towards the end of the draw in the TRI Equestrian-sponsored class, he delivered the winning round of clear in 34.10 seconds, with only four double clears delivered in the eight-way jump-off.

This result put the Tyrone rider tops of the leaderboard on 28 points, eight points ahead of his closest rival, Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick, who didn’t compete in Mullingar. The consistent Smyth and the ten-year-old gelding Crystal Tom had claimed the runner-up position in Barnadown and took victory in Cavan last week

Olympian Cian O’Connor and the nine-year-old gelding Careca LS Elite took the runner-up spot in 35.54 seconds, with Cian’s student, Max Wachman, grandson of Coolmore owner John Magnier, taking third with Brooklyn De Hus in a time of 36.86 seconds.

Brendan Murphy, riding Immun Ocean Ogara crossed the line with nothing to add in 38.02 seconds for fourth place, with Kenneth Graham taking the next two places in the line-up.

On Beir Bua, he was fastest four-faulter in 38.21 seconds for fifth place, and four faults with George in 45.15 seconds, was good enough for sixth position.

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Smyth and the ten-year-old Silvano gelding, who were pipped at the post at Barnadown last weekend, now occupy second place on the leaderboard on 18 points, just two points behind the current leader, Susan Fitzpatrick with Verdict De Kezeg.

Thirty-nine combinations started the fifth round of the series in Cavan, with 16 of them qualifying for the second round against the clock. Six of the 16 competitors delivered double clears while seven partnerships had one fence down against the clock.

National Grand Prix Champion, Liam O’Meara put his first points on the leaderboard, as he took second place with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, as they kept all the poles in place in a time of 42.50 seconds.

Egyptian rider Sameh El Dahan followed closely behind with Joanne Sloan Allen’s WKD Aimez Moi and a clear in 42.85 seconds would prove good enough for third place in the line-up.

Joanne Blair and the Irish Sport Horse, Mon Ami, took fourth place with a clear round in a time of 44.42 seconds, while Kildare’s Derek McConnell took fifth with Dothraki Warlord, when going clear in 44.56 seconds.

Last of the double clears and taking sixth place was Richard Kerins and Small Change, when they stopped the clock in 49.20 seconds.

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