Springmount Riding Club emerged victorious after a dramatic four-way jump-off at the Horseware Team Show Jumping Championship qualifier at Tubberbride Equestrian Centre in Sligo last Sunday.

28 teams, representing 10 clubs, from across the west region took to Richard Keirns testing but fair course at the Sligo based venue where after the opening round 8 teams were on zero score.

They included Ballinasloe, Castle Carraig, Corrib, Letterkenny, Tir Conaill and two teams from Corrib and Springmount while seven teams followed on 4 penalties ensuring it was a tight contest with all to play for in second round.

The leading pack was reduced to four teams after the second round with teams from Corrib, Letterkenny, Springmount and Tir Conaill maintaining the pressure to force a four-way jump-off.

Corrib’s Paul Tarpey was drawn first to jump on Craobh Cassonova and came home clear in a time of 42.19.

Next in was Letterkenny’s Dawn Hyndman on Colourado Kid but a pole to the floor in a fast time of 39.37 left them out of contention.

Springmount’s Pat O’Neill was next in on Illanurra Shadow and after an unbelievable turn and no stirrup for the last three fences, he still managed to cross the beam in 39.39 and all importantly clear to go ahead. 

Tir Conaill’s Stephen Green unfortunately returned with 4 faults in a time of 51.53 on Indian Puzzle.

The Springmount team of Adair Leech (Gorgeous George Power), Laura Corrigan (Copacabanna), Joanna Hyland (Star Amir) and Pat O’Neill (Illanurra Shadow) are RDS bound in August while the runners up from Corrin will have a second opportunity to qualify at next months Riding Clubs Festival.