Photo - Michael Colivet (FBD Insurance) Paul Beecher with Loughnatousa Zidane and James McInerney (Equine Development Specialist at FBD Insurance) pictured at Ballylawn Show.
Former Hickstead Derby winner Paul Beecher won a hugely competitive opening round of the new €20,000 FBD Speed Series, at Ballylawn Show near Kill Co Waterford on bank holiday Monday.
Beecher, from Tallow in Co Waterford, was riding the Tim Beecher owned eight-year-old gelding Loughnatousa Zidane and was the only rider to finish double clear in under 30 seconds.
Less than two seconds separated the top six at the finish, with Tipperary young rider Darragh Ryan finishing as runner up with Furistos Jack, while Francis Connors, who was competing on his own lands at Ballylawn, finished third with Drumin Jacqueline.
Paul Beecher also finished fourth with Danqu, just ahead of Francis Connors with his second mount Argento Cruise in fifth, while former Olympian Marion Hughes completed the line-up, finishing sixth with Laith.
The FBD Speed Series now moves to Kingdom County Show in Tralee on Sunday, before returning to Co Waterford with Aglish gymkhana hosting the third leg on May 17th.
FBD Speed Series 1.20m- Ballylawn Co Waterford 04/05/2015
1. Paul Beecher/Loughnatousa Zidane 0/0 29.95
2. Darragh Ryan/Furistos Jack 0/0 30.06
3. Francis Connors/Drumin Jacqueline 0/0 30.06
4. Paul Beecher/Danqu 0/0 30.95
5. Francis Connors/Argento Cruise 0/0 31.59
6. Marion Hughes/Laith 0/0 31.62