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Show
Jumping - Kerrygold Grand Prix League - Smyth Makes A Winning
Return To Ballina
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Peter
Smyth made a winning return to Ballina today (Sunday) with Zara's
Pride for the latest Super League Grand Prix, and erased the memories
of taking a wrong course at the venue on his only previous visit
as a pony rider twenty years ago.
A
bumper crowd packed the stand at the sunny Co. Mayo venue and witnessed
an intiguing finale as the lead changed hands three times during
the jump-off.
Gerry
Byrne's technical course provided a stiff test for the 27 starters,
with just seven riders going clear first time around, and only three
double clears being produced after the jump-off.
First
to achieve a double-clear was Stephen Smith on Laraghlease Western
Desert in a time of 43.49, a performance which turned out to be
good enough for third place. Yesterday's Ennis winner Linda Courtney
came next but had one down, leaving only Harry Marshall and Peter
Smyth to challenge Stephen Smith's double-clear.
After
racing the clock to his cost yesterday at Ennis, Marshall was understandby
more cautious with Splendido, yet he still managed to take the lead
by over three seconds, going clear again in 40.12.
Just
Peter Smyth remained to jump, and throwing caution to the wind,
the Strabane rider took Zara's Pride clear around the tricky course
in a superb time of 36.37 to take first place and pick up 15 League
points in the process.
Marshall
had the consolation of collecting enough points to take the lead
in the overall League table, as leader James Kernan again failed
to make the jump-off.
Although
having one down in the jump-off today, Belfast rider Linda Courtney
did enough to land the bonus prize of 1000 euro as the leading points
rider between today's event and yesterday's Super League Grand Prix
at Ennis.
The
sponsors of the event, Polar Construction Works, were on hand to
present the prizes, and League sponsors Kerrygold were represented
by Marty Dervan.
Delighted
winner Peter Smyth said that he was looking forward to the rest
of the season.
RESULT: BALLINA Show, Super League GRAND PRIX
Sponsored by Polar Construction Works
Sunday 13th July 2003
Venue: Ballina
Prize Money: 5000 Euro
1)
Zara's Pride (Owner Peter Smyth); Peter Smyth Faults 0/0 Time 36.37
2) Splendido (Owner Harry Marshall); Harry Marshall Faults 0/0 Time
40.12
3) Laraghlease Western Desert (Owner Robert Hancock); Stephen Smith
Faults 0/0 Time 43.49
4) Who's Business As Usual (Owner Julie Pratt); Paul O'Shea Faults
0/4 Time 42.16
5) Cavaleve (Owner Linda Courtney); Linda Courtney 0/4 Time 43.89
6) Coille Mor Hill (Owner Michael McKeigue); Tom Slattery Faults
0/7 Time 46.19
27
starters, seven riders through to jump-off
KERRYGOLD
GRAND PRIX LEAGUE
Rankings after BALLINA Show, Super League Grand Prix 5000 euro
(Sunday 13 July)
1) Harry Marshall 60 points
2) James Kernan 56 points
3) Peter Smyth 55 points
4) Linda Courtney 50.5 points
5) Andrew Dunlop 36 points
6) Clem McMahon 35 points
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