YOUNG rider Robin Carey was back in the winnings last weekend, when he claimed victory in the TRM/Showjumpers Club Spring Tour at Tipperary last Sunday.

Riding his winning mount from the round in Maryville, Luicruz, he lodged a clear in 35.43 seconds to take home the winner’s share of €3,000 in the host-sponsored class. Carey and Luicruz also finished sixth in Warrington and third in the opening round in JAG and, as a result, this places them fourth on the leaderboard at this stage.

Owned by Carey and bred by Sean Fahey, the 10-year-old mare is by Luidam out of the Puissance-sired All Cruz.

Speaking afterwards, Carey said: “It was great to put another win on the leaderboard and, hopefully, this good form will continue as the league comes to the final stage. Killian Clarke designed a technical course, which was fitting for the standard of combinations that were competing.

“I was eighth to go against the clock and I did get to see a few go, but it didn’t alter my plan. I knew what I needed to do and I stuck to that. The mare is very fast and quick across the jumps, so I knew we could make up time with the pace.

“We bought the mare in Goresbridge, which is just down the road from us. My older brother campaigned her in the early days and I took her over when she was about six. We have been lucky with horses that we have bought from Goresbridge and she is one of their success stories.

“Tipperary Equestrian did an excellent job and I would like to thank them and the sponsors for making it a very enjoyable day.”

Followers

There was a good following for this round, with 42 combinations going to post and, of those, 17 booked their place against the clock, where 10 double clears were delivered.

Liam O’Meara was fractions behind with the stallion Big Dan du Rouet, crossing the line clear in 35.99. Bred by Michael Ryan and owned by O’Meara’s wife Helen Sheridan, the 10-year-old is by Querlybet Hero out of Glenaguile Rose (Harlequin Du Carel).

Very little separated the next placing, as Jason Foley and Chedington Fixit kept the poles in place in a time of 36.03 for third.

Owned by racehorse trainer Henry de Bromhead’s Knockeen Racing Ltd, this 10-year-old French-bred gelding is by Diamant de Semilly.

Winners of the round in Warrington Equestrian, Max Foley and HHS Fortune added to their points, when they took fourth place when clear in 36.43. On form Foley also accounted for fifth place, when he delivered a clear with HHS Savanna in 37.20.

This nine-year-old mare was bred by Marion Hughes by Dignified Van’T Zorgvliet out of the Don Juan De La Bouverie mare HHS Central Park. Foley had even more to celebrate this week when he was announced as a member of the prestigious Young Rider Academy for the year.

Sixth place was filled by Holly Lenahan on her own 11-year-old gelding Khalinov, when they came home clear in 37.36 seconds. Bred by Declan Lenahan, he is by Ustinov out of the Clover Flush-sired Summerbridge Flush.

Young riders shine

The Greg Broderick-sponsored 1.20m (incorporating the Hibernian Horse qualifier) saw 69 go to post and, from those, 23 double clears were delivered. Taking the win was young rider Emma O’Connor and Quality Diamond in a time of 31.13.

Fellow young rider Olivia Shanahan and Cooley Bonzo C took the runner-up spot, crossing the line in 32.30, ahead of British junior rider Tabitha Kyle and Dalirasas Boy, in a time of 33.01. Kyle, daughter of Irish Olympic event rider Mark Kyle, is currently based at Greg Broderick’s Ballypatrick Stables in Co Tipperary.

Fourth place belonged to Helen Gould and Khaleeshi, clear in 35.80, while in fifth was Matilde Hughes Bravo and Miss Belgium III in a time of 36.09. Completing the top six was Max Foley and HHS Fortune (0/0 36.51).

A total of 63 combinations lined out to contest the 1.10m Munster Spring Tour, which incorporated the five-year-old Hibernian Sport Horse Qualifier. Leading the victory lap was amateur rider Caroline Ryan (AA) and Killerisk Conor, clear in 30.73.

Hot on her heels was fellow amateur rider Marie Hartley (AA) and Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, who put in a foot-perfect round in 32.66.

Junior rider Robyn McOwan and LSF Celtic Warrior slotted into third when clear in 35.16, ahead of Holly Miller and Bodalmore Bella Donna, clear in 36.52. Fifth place was filled by Zoe Penfold and M Bulisina, clear in 36.59, while in sixth was Holly Gee aboard the six-year-old KLS Miss G, clear in 37.08.