The main event at Galway County Show last weekend was round eight of the Horseware/TRM National Grand Prix League, sponsored by Ashford Farms. The fantastic two-day show was held at Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit and attracted large numbers of competitors and spectators, helped in no small part by the great weather.

Forty-four combinations took on Paul Duffy Jnr’s track with 14 making it through to the jump-off.

Peter Smyth was rewarded for making the trip from his base in Strabane when he and Corrib House took the top prize in the Grand Prix. Corrib House is by Harlequin Du Carel and owned by Nigel Kenny. Peter also picked up fourth with Peter Mulrine’s Admiran Cassio by Cassini 1. Corrib House is a graduate of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook series and won earlier this year at Balmoral.

Local duo Stephen Moore with the 17-year-old Merlin’s Magic put up a thrilling challenge to take the second spot with a double-clear. Mayo man Cormac Hanley claimed third with another strong challenge on the Niall Talbot-owned Queen Carola. The in-form junior rider also took 10th with the Captain Caruso.

Another round of the Studbook series took place at Galway County Show, where the Martin O’Meara-owned Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight took the six-year-old class with Grainne Davoren’s Glenomra Cocoa, ridden by Claregalway man Mark Duffy, winning the seven-year-old final.

Glenomra Cocoa, bred by John Vaughan, is by Cougar (ISH) out of the dam Glenomra Colleen (ISH).