Seán Walsh Moves to Top of Munster Grand Prix league

Cork showjumper Seán Walsh moved to the top of the leaderboard in the Munster Grand Prix league after gaining valuable points in the latest round of the series held at Ballinamona Co. Waterford.

The staging of Horse Sport Ireland young horse classes at this year’s Ballinamona Gymkhana ensured a large entry for the second leg of the Munster Grand Prix. 54 horses took on Alan Wade’s course which allowed just 9 through to the jump-off. Walsh and his 10 year-old bay gelding Kimberlite were among the nine but a stiff course and a very competitive string of riders meant nothing was guaranteed in this jump-off.

A tight turn to the third jump-off fence was likely to yield a good result and a number of riders took the option. Walsh opted to take the longer route as it suited his mount best. A blistering round leaving all the fences up was good enough for third place in the end – a result which catapulted the Waterfall based rider to the top of the Munster Grand Prix league. The next round of the series takes place at the Munster Agricultural Show on Walsh’s home territory near Ballincollig, Co. Cork on July 4^th.

Also at Ballinamona Walsh picked up some points in the National Grand Prix league on the previous day. Just three horses managed to jum clear on the day but Walsh’s fast four faullt round guaranteed a place in the line-up on Kimberlite. Twenty-four year-old Walsh finished off a good show by getting onto the podium with his other mount Sunny Boy K in the1.30m class.