Show Jumping - Kerrygold Grand Prix League - O'Shea Takes Limerick Grand Prix

IN ONE of those twists that only Irish sport seems to produce, the co-sponsor of today's Grand Prix was put out of the top six by a single time fault, while his protégé won the class.

Limerick's Paul O'Shea was the happy winner today, while Cian O'Connor, out of whose Karlswood yard Paul rides, came seventh, though was undoubtedly not pushing his Nations Cup horse Waterford Crystal ahead of next week's Hickstead Super League fixture.

The show was opened today by Clare McNamara of Crecora, who led the competitors into the arena. Clare won five medals in gymnastics in June's Special Olympics.

Paul O'Shea, who hails from the local town of Kildimo, was ecstatic about his victory today (Saturday), and said : <I am very happy to win here on home ground. It is a great thrill. The course was testing, and Gerry Byne put in some clever elements, especially the related distance.>>

Nine riders were through to the jump-off at Limerick, but only Peter Smyth's Fourth place affects the main Kerrygold Leaderboard, bumping him up to 65 points.

Most of today's riders will travel to Newcastle West for tomorrow's Grand Prix.

RESULT: Limerick & District Show, 1.40m GRAND PRIX, Saturday 19th July
2003. Sponsored by Lt Shane Carey & Karlswood Stables (Cian O Connor)
Prize Money: 3000 Euro

1) WHO'S BUSINESS AS USUAL (Owner Julie Pratt); Paul O'Shea Faults 0/0 Time 33.58
2) IMAN d'OCCAGNES (Owner Austin Broderick); Shane Breen Faults 0/0 Time 34.14
3) LB GALILEO (Owner Miguel Bravo); Marion Hughes Faults 0/0 Time 36.02
4) LINCOURT CAVALIER (Owner John McLaughlin); Peter Smyth Faults 0/0 Time 36.41
5) WINDGATES MYSTIQUE (Owner Edward Cawley); Conor Swail Faults 0/0 Time 38.20
6) ROSS RISING CLOVER (Owner Liam O'Flynn); Mark O'Sullivan Faults 0/0 Time 44.58

40 starters, 9 riders through to jump-off

KERRYGOLD GRAND PRIX Rankings after Limerick & District Show, 1.40m GRAND PRIX

1) Harry Marshall 68 points
2) Peter Smyth 65 points
3) James Kernan 56 points
4) Linda Courtney 50.5 points
5) Andrew Dunlop 39 points
6) Clem McMahon 35 points

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