O'Connor wins again in Dundalk

Cian O'Connor won his fifth Louth County Prix by taking the Horseware Ireland Premier Series Grand prix at the Louth County show today.

Having won yesterday's qualifier for this class with Splendor, O'Connor decided not to jump him as he will be part of the Nations Cup team that travel to Lummen next week.

Instead O'Connor brought Baloufina and it was Dermot O'Rourke's mare that landed the spoils today.

One of nine through to the jump in today's €12,000 class, the pair jumped with the fastest time in yesterday's heat but had a fence on the floor but made no mistake in today's Grand Prix.

The Baloubet Du Rouet mare stopped the clocks in 34.71 to land the spoils.

Taking second was the Northern rider Lucy buchanan with the ever faithful Cavalier Andy.

This pairing have done very well at this level over the past number of year's and this proves to be a superb start to the season for the combination.

They completed a fine double clear round in 36.23 to take second.

Having taken third in yesterday's qualifying round, Showjumpers Club Chairman Edward Doyle repeated that placing with Catherine Doyle's Flexing.

This Cruising mare and her full brother Flexible, have shown in recent times that the Irish breeding in Cruising continues to produce top class competition horses.

Their double clear in 36.80 was good enough for third and should set Doyle up for the remainder of the Premier Series.

Recent HSI Guidam Spring tour winner Tholm Keane and Warrenstown You 2 slotted into fourth with another double clear round.

The winners of this Grand Prix last year, Keane was unable to take back to back successes but their time of 36.93 showed that his form has not dipped and will be a force to be reckoned with thorughout the remainder of the League.

So Cian O'Connor, takes yet another victory at Louth County and he now travels to Lummen in Belgium next week for the Nations Cup.

RESULT SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND PREMIER SERIES GRAND PRIX - LOUTH COUNTY
1 - Cian O'Connor on Baloufina 0/0 34.71
2 - Lucy buchanan on Cavalier Andy 0/0 36.23
3 - Edward Doyle on Flexing 0/0 36.80
4 - tholm Keane on Warrenstown you 2 0/0 36.93
5 - Alexander Butler on Will Wimble 0/0 38.27
6 - Francis Connors on Heracross 0/0 40.91