Francis Connors crowned 2025 Premier Performance National Grand Prix League Champion

Francis Connors and Carrigshawn Vendi Royal (ISH) (Photo: Laurence Dunne/JumpInAction)

Waterford’s Francis Connors has added to his long list of National Grand Prix League titles, after he was once again crowned 2025 Showjumping Ireland Premier Performance National Grand Prix league champion at the Irish Breeders Classic in Barnadown Co Wexford on Friday.

“I’m delighted to win the Premier Performance National Grand Prix league with Carrigshawn Vendi Royal (ISH), a mare who is owned by myself and my two daughters Jenny and Kate, Connors commeneted afterwards. “We bought her as a six-year-old, she is by Dondoctro Royal K out of an Ars Vivendi mare. This is probably our fourth season and she has progressed really well through the ranks and this was topped-off nicely this year by winning the league.

“She has had quite a busy year, we tried to follow the league wherever we could but we were also trying to follow the Premier Series and then there were a few international shows in between with Mullingar and Millstreet so she has actually had a very busy year. She had a win in Charleville and last week in Hollypark, second in Coilog and placed another few times so she has been very consistent throughout the year.

“It’s quite a few years since I won the league. The first one was a long long time ago so it’s nice actually to get another one under my belt and again with a mare of our own” – Francis Connors speaking after being crowned Premier Performance National Grand Prix league champion with Carrigshawn Vendi Royal (ISH) at The Irish Breeders Classic on Friday, Connors concluded.

Michael Pender and HHS Fortune (ISH) (Photo: Laurence Dunne/JumpInAction)

Victory in the final leg of the Showjumping Ireland Premier Performance National Grand Prix League went to Kildare’s Michael Pender and the Marion Hughes-bred HHS Fortune (ISH) with the fastest of seven double clear rounds.

BREEDING
Carrigshawn Vendi Royal (ISH) 2015 mare bred by Dondoctro Ryal K (KWPN) out of Carrigshawn Vendi (ISH) by ARS Vivendi (HOLST). Bred by Jack Warner. Owned by Francis, Jenny, and Kate Connors.

HHS Fortune (ISH) 2011 mare by Catoki (HOLST) out of HHS Daisy (ISH) by Ard Vdl Douglas (KWPN) bred and owned by Marion Hughes and ridden by Michael Pender.