Alexander Butler topped the leader board in the Horseware/TRM Premier Series with back to back victories this week. Victorious early in the week in Tattersalls with Hallowberry Cruz, Butler went on to triumph at Omagh with Vimminka.
The final rider in a six horse jump-off, Butler knew exactly what had to be done and logged the only double clear of the competition in a time of 50.32 seconds to secure the top spot in the ā¬10,000 feature class, sponsored by The Silverbirch Hotel, Dillon Bass LTD and Powers Whiskey.
Butler commented, āIt was great to get the back to back wins, it leaves me in a good position as regards qualifying for the internationals in Dublin. A good round in Cork next week should seal the deal.ā
Butler continued, āThe ground conditions were testing but Paul Duffy (course designer) did a great job and he got a really good result with the four clear rounds.ā
The reigning National Champion and Premier Series Champion, Butler has only jumped in three legs of the league so far this season due to international duty but intends to follow the remainder with the reliable 14-year-old Nabab de Reve-sired Vimminka.
Currently leading the league on a total of 20 points Butler is indeed in a good position heading into the cut-off point for international qualification for the Dublin Horse Show while only three legs remain to decide the overall 2016 Premier Series Champion.
Emily Turkington took the runner-up spot with the 13-year-old Corland gelding Willem. A single error in the first round meant Turkington carried four faults through to the timed decider but a flawless second showing in a time of 42.87 proved to be a solid performance.
Jenny Rankin as the penultimate rider in the clocked round had looked set to deliver the first double clear aboard the 10-year-old Coltaire Z-sired Baccarat but thefinal fence came down with their time of 43.84 only standing for third place in the line-up.
Both Edward Butler and Francis Connors had early fences. Butler coming through on a clean sheet kept his score to four faults and recorded 47.37 with Rincoola Rua. Connors already carrying four faults from round one with the Ard VDL Douglas mare Erne Lady Goldilocks completed on a score of eight in a time of 46.93.
Luke Campbell rounded out the line-up with Trebra Douglas. The pair had supplied a faultless first round but added eight to this zero score to finish in eventual sixth place when the clock showed 47.50.
TRM/Horseware Premier Series Grand Prix League Omagh Show 2nd July 2016 result.
Sponsored by The Silverbirch Hotel, Dillon Bass LTD & Powers Whiskey
1. Vimminka Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Alexander Butler Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0/0/50.32
2. Willem Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā EmilyĀ Ā Turkington Ā Ā Ā 4/0/42.87
3. Baccarat Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Jenny Rankin Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0/4/43.84
4. Rincoola Rua Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Edward Butler Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0/4/47.37
5. Erne Ladygoldilocks Ā Ā Francis Connors Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 4/4/46.93
6. Trebra DouglasĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Luke Campbell Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 0/8/47.50
