Simon jumps for joy with Grand Prix win
SIMON Scott is the new Ulster Region 1.35m Grand Prix series champion, after taking first and second in the Aghalee staged final on the Sion Mills owned mare Ploverfield Lilyana.
Scott, from Convoy, near Strabane, also partnered Jasmine Tide, jointly owned by himself and Steen Lowry of Newbuildings, to take second ahead of Banbridge’s new rising star Jessica Mcintyre on the French bred Fabio.
Londonderry GP Jo h n Mclaughlin and Scott battled it out for the league series final, with 21 horses starting and seven jumping off.
Mcintyre, took the lead with an impressive clear in 52.07 only for Scott and Ian Millar’s Ploverfield Lilyana to overhaul her, scorching round in 38.55. Doctor Mclaughlin and Lincourt Luidam had a winning time of 36.23 but the Grand Prix and final championship eluded them after tipping a fence.
A delighted Scott, who also bred Bertram Allen’s new horse Pacino Amiro, added: “The Ulster Grand Prix series was my goal. Portmore was a brilliant final, my horses jumped well throughout and winning the 1.20 series too was great.”
Mcintyre, a jump off specialist and multiple class winner this season explained: “I just went into jump clear and go clear in the jump off. I got Fabio two years ago and am new to showjumping from eventing. It has been super to get the sport up and going during covid. I kept my horses ticking during lockdown and it paid off.”
Young Rider 1.20m champion was Dromore’s Olivia Roulston on Philip Rosbotham’s Avalent, while Scott claimed the overall Ulster 1.20m GP series with Raphie based Leslie Goudy’s Lux Like Candy.
Strabane’s Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lui won the River Lodge Grand Prix in Waterford while Denis Lynch claimed the St Tropez Grand Prix at Grimaud.