Show Jumping - Kerrygold Grand Prix League - O'Brien Wins South County Dublin Super League GP

THE WEATHER held for the second of the Grands Prix at the South County Dublin Show at Celbridge today (Sunday), and although the monster prize money of 10,000 Euro led to some fierce competition, it was the Army's Lt. David O'Brien who produced the only double clear of the class.

Riding the Minister for Defence's 14 yr-old bay gelding <Carraig Dubh>, O'Brien saw off the competition, and remarked after his win: < It was fantastic competition on a fantastic horse. What more can I say?>

Marion Hughes confirmed that she was back in serious contention for League position, following her win at Celbridge yesterday with a Second today on Miguel Bravo's <LB Gallileo>, and picking up 12 vital Super League points in the process.

James Kernan, though incurring a single time fault and a pole down in the second round, earned a handy nine points with his Third on <Idle Wilde>, which brings him level with Peter Smyth in the Kerrygold League, both riders now with 65 points apiece, sharing Second Place, and within a whisper of catching Harry Marshall, whose 68 points keep him in the No.1 slot.

Harry will have two horses at Dun Laoghaire's Super League fixture tomorrow (Monday), but not his Grand Prix winner <Splendido>, and Peter Smyth will also be present with <Zara's Pride>, so a change in the leaderboard is very much a possibility.

RESULT: South Co. Dublin Hunt Horse Show Super League Grand Prix,
Sunday 3rd August '03.
Sponsored by Edward Cawley, Furniture
Prize Money: 10,000 Euro

1) CARRAIG DUBH (Owner Minister for Defence)); Lt. David O'Brien Faults
0/0 Time 49.78
2) LB GALLILEO (Owner Miguel Bravo); Marion Hughes Faults 0/4 Time 50.94
3) IDLE WILDE (Owner Shirley Kernan); James Kernan Faults 0/5 Time 57.39
4) NEWMARKET GIRL (Owner Billy Daly); Danielle Quinlivan Faults 0/8 Time 49.26
5) RAMIRO B (Owner Michael Earls); Edward Doyle Faults 0/8 Time 52.81
6) IVEENA S (Owner Deirdre Bourns); Andrew Bourns Faults 0/8 Time 56.28

40 starters, 7 riders through to jump-off

KERRYGOLD GRAND PRIX Rankings after South Co. Dublin Hunt Horse Show Grand Prix, Sunday 3rd August '03

1) Harry Marshall 68 points
=2) Peter Smyth 65 points
=2) James Kernan 65 points
4) Shane Breen 51 points
5) Linda Courtney 50.5 points
=6) Andrew Dunlop 39 points
=6) Conor Swail 39 points

http://www.horsesport.ie

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