ARMY Equitation School riders were out in force at Newcastle West's Grand Prix today (Sunday), but Capt. Shane Carey took the honours, just ahead of fellow-officer Capt. David O'Brien, who won at Limerick yesterday.

Lt. Brian Curran Cournane also showed in the top six at Newcastle West.

Riding the 14 yr old bay gelding <Lismakin>, Carey pipped O'Brien and <Carraig Dubh> to the top spot by just over a second, and said afterwards: <<It was a case of all duck or no dinner here today. I just had to beat David. It was a good jump-off, and James Tarrant's course was encouraging rather than frightening, and the evidence was the number of young horses who made it through to the jump-off. Lismakin was great, and it was only his fourth Grand Prix in Ireland this season.>>

IJM TimberFrame league topper Conor Swail increased his lead with a third place on <Drumagoland Flight> today, but under the 2004 rules, must once again drop points from an earlier Grand Prix, so added just four to his previous total of 112 points.

Joan Greene made a welcome appearance in fourth place with <Sceal Eile>, while the third Army rider, Lt. Brian Curran Cournane took fifth with <River Boyne>. John Floody kept up his consistent form, once again placing sixth with <Summerhill>, gaining just enough points to keep him in the upper reaches of the League leaderboard.

Shane Breen, currently lying second in the league, had an unfortunate day, with three horses through to the jump-off, but each of them faulting at Fence 12.

RESULT: Newcastle West Agricultural Show Grand Prix 1m40
Sponsored by C.M.G. Construction (Limerick) Ltd.
Sunday July 18, 2004
Venue: Ballynoe Castle, Castlemahon, Co. Limerick.
Prize Money: 3000 Euro

1) Lismakin (Owner Minister for Defence); Capt. Shane Carey Faults 0/0 Time 34.71
2) Carraig Dubh (Owner Minister for Defence); Capt. David O'Brien Faults 0/0 Time 35.85
3) Drumagoland Flight (Owner Samuel McQuade); Conor Swail Faults 0/0 Time 36.09
4) Sceal Eile (Owner Eileen Mulconroy); Joan Greene Faults 0/0 Time 36.62
5) River Boyne (Owner Minister for Defence); Lt. Brian Curran Cournane Faults 0/0 Time 37.54
6) Summerhill (Owner John Floody); John Floody Faults 0/0 Time 44.31

28 starters, 10 through to jump-off

IJM TIMBERFRAME GRAND PRIX LEAGUE
Rankings after Newcastle West Agricultural Show Grand Prix
Ballynoe Castle, Castlemahon, Co. Limerick, Sunday July 18, 2004

1) Conor Swail 116 points
2) Shane Breen 95 points
3) Harry Marshall 67.5 points
4) Peter Smyth 59 points
5) Capt. David O'Brien 58 points
6) John Floody 54 points

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