Riding the Irish Sport Horse MHS High Hopes, O’Neill was among 12 combinations who made it through to the second round where he produced another clear in 43.45 seconds to take the winner’s prize. The Bennettsbridge man and MHS High Hopes had finished as runners-up in the opening round of the HSI Premier Series at Barnadown, Co. Wexford and now move onto 18 points at the midway point of the series.

Waterford-born Army rider Capt Geoff Curran finished in the runner-up position in Mullingar with The Minister For Defence’s HHS Clinstown (ISH) after they crossed the line clear in 45.09 seconds.

Kevin Gallagher partnered Ballypatrick Flamenco to a third place finish when clear in 46.07 seconds, while fourth place went to Young Rider Kate Conlon with Ping Ball. Kate Derwin and AHG Whiterock Cruise Down were fifth on four faults with the fastest time of the jump-off, just ahead of Max Wachman and Lazzaro Delle Schiave in sixth.

The next round of the Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series will take place at National Balmoral on August 16th, before the final round of the series at Portmore on September 6th.

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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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On Saturday, the TRI Equestrian sponsored leg of the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix will see top names battle it out for the €4,000 on offer.  On the star-list are Olympians Cian O’Connor and Greg Broderick, former World Champion Dermott Lennon, as well as European medal winners Max Wachman and Kate Derwin. One to watch this weekend is local rider Robyn Fagan, who will be hoping to make her presence felt on home soil.

There is currently very little separating the top five on the leaderboard, where Susan Fitzpatrick still occupies the top position on 20 points, two points ahead of last weekend victor Jonathan Smyth.

Winner in Kernan Equestrian, Toronto-born Rebecca McGoldrick will be looking to add to her tally as she will compete with Baccara Des Forets and Horatio Van Erpekom.

Jonathan Smyth will compete with three horses this weekend, namely Carrick Kilderrys Diamond, Crystal Tom and Mulvin Lui, as he bids to make the most of Susan Fitzpatrick’s absence in Mullingar.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, sponsor on the day Brendan Murphy Managing Director of TRI Equestrian said:

“TRI Equestrian has a long association with Mullingar Equestrian and we are delighted to sponsor this round of the National Grand Prix. Due to the protocols in place we won’t be attending, but we will be represented by our two sponsored riders, Katie Conlon and Luke Campbell who will be competing in the Grand Prix.”

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