Impressive showing from Butler at Ballivor

Local rider Alexander Butler put in a good performance at the Ballivor Grand Prix show jumping event last Sunday. However, with one pole on the ground when riding Carton Free, the Meath native slotted into a very respectable fifth place after a hard fought class, which saw the best riders in action. Butler (22) is proving to be a dominate force on the show jumping circuit and is now considered a main contender on the circuit having beaten off the challenge of our more experienced riders, clocking up numerous placing's on the National Grand Prix league and the Premier Series. This year he also clocked up a series of wins while competing in France. Making the long journey from the west, Mayo native Padraic Judge aboard Hello Spider left all in his wake at Ballivor as he delivered the only double clear round in a seven-way jump-off, in 48.65 to take the honours in the Dixon Sand and Gravel 6,000 sponsored Grand Prix. This was the second Grand Prix placing of the year for the combination, having been one of only two combinations that delivered a double clear round in the leg at Cavan earlier in the season to take the runner-up spot on that occasion. Speaking after the class, the winner said: "I am thrilled with the horse as the course was difficult and big enough in the jump-off. "It is a fantastic show, one of the great traditional shows and it is one that I always wanted to win. "Some great riders have won here in the past as it was always considered as one of the most competitive. Hello Spider is proving very consistent and I hope to aim him at the remaining Premier Series and perhaps a foreign show later in the year." Going early in the timed round, Kildare rider Edward Doyle set the fastest time (40.10) on his home bred Samgejee, however with one pole on the floor, he had to settle for second place in the final line-up. Out of his former International show jumping mare Flex, this eight- year-old stallion, has proved very consistent in both the aged classes and on the National Grand Prix Circuit. Riding her own, nine-year-old gelding H Two, Linda Courtney looked set for the challenge, however suffering a similar fate to those that went before her, she crossed the line with four faults in 40.74 for eventual third. Following her second placing in the 1.40 metre international speed class in Mullingar show last weekend, AnneMarie Fitzpatrick was keen to continue this good show of form. Recording four faults, with her husband Harrys Finders Keepers in 42.20, the pairing slotted into fourth. Local rider Alexander Butler and Carton Free accounted for fifth place, while Stephen Smith and Laraghlease Western Desert took sixth.