CIAN O'Connor chalked up his second win of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour when he powered the 13 year-old gelding 'Complete' across the line at Kill International Equestrian Centre in this evening's (Sunday) Grand Prix with almost two seconds in hand over runner-up Paddy O'Donnell and the Irish-bred 'Harristown Princess'.
Four Irish-breds finished in the top six at the Kildare venue from a substantial starting field of 72, and 21 combinations made it through to the jump-off, but Meath-based O'Connor showed a turn of speed that none could equal and gave 'Complete' another rosette to join the one won at Cavan two weeks ago.
He said afterwards: "It was a very big field here, but I thought the course designer was right to keep the time tight. This kind of course prepares riders and horses for the bigger Grands Prix that they might face on the international circuit later in the year. The jump-off had a lot of tight turns, but I was delighted with the way both my horses ('Complete' and 'Splendor') performed here today."
Finishing third at Kill were Gerard O'Neill and Jane O'Flynn's Irish-bred 'Kinnagrelly', improving one place since their outing at Rolestown Grand Prix last Sunday.
The Young Rider trophy went to Edward Doyle Jr.
The next leg of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour takes place at Broadmeadows Equestrian Centre in Co. Meath next Wednesday.
SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: HSI CHIPPISON SPRING TOUR, KILL INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
GRAND PRIX
1m35
Fourth Leg of 2010 HSI Chippison Spring Tour
Presented by the Show Jumpers' Club in Association with TRI Equestrian
Sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland and Kill International Equestrian Centre
Kill International Equestrian Centre, Co. Kildare
Sunday March 14, 2010
1) Complete (Owner Stephen O'Connor & Castlemartin Stud); Cian O'Connor Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 36.09
2) Harristown Princess (ISH) (Owner Thomas Power); Paddy O'Donnell Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 38.07
3) Kinnagrelly (ISH) (Owner Jane O'Flynn); Gerard O'Neill Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 38.48
4) Valentino (Owner Bingham and McMahon); Clem McMahon Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 39.02
5) Sapporo (ISH) (Owner Eddie Moloney); Eddie Moloney Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 39.04
6) PMR Rehy Irish All Star (ISH) (Owner Paula Rafter); John Floody Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 39.46
72 starters, 21 through to jump-off