SVEN Hadley strengthened his position in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour series when he took the honours in the eighth round at Maryville, Co Cork, last Sunday.
This was the second consecutive win for the Galway rider, who also won the sixth leg in Cavan. Up to that, the reigning champion had kept himself in contention with placings in Broadmeadows, Cavan and Portmore. These consistent results along with the two wins means that he lies in poll position on leaderboard with 38 points, with just three rounds to go before the final.
Although he has a significant lead at the moment, he can’t be too complacent as both Frank Curran and Shannon MacKenzie have both accumulated 20 points.
Third to go in the 12-way jump-off, Hadley lodged the winning round with Realt Na Carraig in a time of 43.68 second.
Realt Na Carraig has been a consistent charge for Hadley at home and abroad. So far this year, they have finished fifth in the 1.20m at JAG Equestrian, sixth in the 1.30m at Cavan and fifth in the 1.35m at the Cavan Make A Wish Show.
Bred by Elsie McVeigh from Tyrone, Realt Na Carraig is a 14 year-old gelding by Lux Z out of the Royal Renown-sired Realt Na Mhara. The mare has two other progeny registered, one which was bred by McVeigh – the traditionally-bred Realt Na Gleann (2003), by Coronea Eagle. Tom Doherty also bred from the mare in 2007 and opted to use Guidam.
Delighted with the win, Hadley said: “Realt Na Carraig has been very consistent at this level and today the course suited him. I made up the time in the turn back to the double. He is a big horse and makes up the time across the ground and it helps that he is very careful.
“He is owned by myself and Zoe Kara and I am delighted for Zoe as she is a great supporter of Hadley Sport Horses. I had secured too places in the jump-off and when I knew I had won it with Realt Na Carraig, I didn’t push Sumas Taloubet.”
Regarding the course, he added: “Paul Duffy did an excellent job in designing the course. It was a great way to start the season as it was a strong but fair course. Maryville and their starter did a great job in getting things moving and it was nice to leave a venue at a respectable hour. The ground was very good and it will set us up for the National Grand Prix and the New Heights Champions Series.”
Placed fourth the week before at Cavan, Oisin Aylward and Bendix were hot on Hadley’s heels and despite a gallant attempt, a clear in 45.68 seconds was only good enough for the runner-up spot on the day.
This result meant that he also picked up the Leading Young Rider prize of the round and as a result temporarily holds poll position on the young rider leaderboard.
Opting for the more cautious approach paid dividends for Tholm Keane, as he posted a clear with BMH Big Time in 48.42 for eventual third. Keane also filled seventh place with Delano, carrying four faults in 43.74 and eighth with Future Storm, four faults in 45.92.
Darryl Walker’s clear round with Caliva Charca MMZ in 51.42 seconds was enough to secure him fifth place. Last to go with last week’s winning mount, Sumas Taloubet, Hadley opted to take the pressure off and a safe clear in 53.61 saw him take fifth place.
Francis Connors and Canterbury Della Caccia filled sixth place when they crossed the line clear in 56.78. The leading Pro-Am of the round was Alan O’Regan and Freedam, who had an unlucky four faults in 52.17.
DOUBLE
Earlier in the day, Hadley had taken the honours in the 1.20m class aboard Victoria Z, jumping the quickest clear round of the class in 35.86 seconds. Not content with the win, he also claimed second place with Why Not Fado, clear in 38.11. Liza Hurley and Calypso Z slotted into third, clear in 40.85, ahead of Eddie Moloney and MHS Quinton, clear in 41.35.
Winner of the 1.10m was Abbie Sweetnam and Zavatar F when they came home clear in 36.29 seconds. Sweetnam also took fourth place with Noels Horse, clear in 43.86.
Claiming the runner-up spot was Katie Frazer and Keylogues Gold, clear in 36.96. Peter O’ Donovan and Rosehill Harley slotted into third when clear in 39.98.