Second grand prix win for O’Brien

ARMY show jumper Lieutenant David O’Brien notched up his second grand prix win in a week at Cavan yesterday.

Showing his victory last week in Galway was no fluke, the Athlone man, aboard Carraig Dubh, came home with more than two seconds to spare in a 12-horse jump-off.

His time of 29.53 seconds saw him deny Linda Courtney, who crossed the line in 31.81 on Cavaleve, with Ronan Clarke and Athletico 26 placed third in 33.40 .

The win catapults Lt O’Brien to fourth place in the Kerrygold Grand Prix rankings and, not surprisingly, he had high praise yesterday for the 14-year-old bay gelding.

“I am absolutely delighted with my horse’s performance here today. Galway last week and now Cavan today shows in what good form he is at the moment. It’s been a terrific day.”

A sixth place for James Kernan yesterday on Out of Touch consolidated his number one position in the Kerrygold League.

With 40 points, he is four clear of Andrew Dunlop. Former league leader Clem McMahon holds onto his third place on 35 points but, after yesterday’s win, Lt O’Brien is now just half a point behind him.

Kernan’s move to the top of the league table came on Saturday, when he figured twice in the line-up at Saintfield, Co Down.

Seven riders made it through to the jump-off in fair weather, but the final battle took place in heavy rain. Harry Marshall, a seasoned campaigner in all weathers, proved best with Splendido.

But it was Kernan’s third on All Shook Up and his fifth on Killybegs Schubert that put him in pole position ahead of the grand prix at Charleville Show next Saturday.

Meanwhile, following Ireland’s stunning victory in the Aachen nations cup in Germany on Friday, Billy Twomey proved best of the boys in green yesterday when 15th in the grand prix.

The Corkman notched up five faults on Luidam in a competition won by Ludger Beerbaum, riding Goldfever 3.

Ireland’s pony riders, not to be outdone by their more senior counterparts, won the nations cup in Freudenberg, Germany, yesterday.

European bronze medallist Anthony Condon (Mr Polar Bear), Nicola Fitzgibbons (Miami Bound), Mark Flynn (Kilcannon Explosion) and Mark McAuley (Shalom Outlaw) finished on a score of zero, to deny Britain.

The four are part of a seven-strong contingent in Germany ahead of the European Pony Championships in Necarne Castle, Co Fermanagh, next month.

Each will be hoping yesterday’s performance will gain them a place on the team.