IT was a busy weekend for national riders with The Showjumpers Club hosting a double bill of the their Spring Tour.

Last Saturday, the first of the rounds took place at Ballinamona in Co Waterford with 40 combinations lining out to contest the sixth round of the series.

Kilkenny rider Kieran Carey recorded his first win in the series. Riding Hip Boy, he was the fastest of the 18 combinations that proceeded to the jump-off. In 2017, Carey and Hip Boy narrowly missed out in a win in the Spring Tour, having been pipped at the post by Francis Connors and Uskerty Diamond Lady.

Owned by Carey, Hip Boy has put up some mileage this year, competing up to CSI3* with him in Valencia in February. Carey’s children, Philip and Adam are also seasoned competitors, and both have campaigned Hip Boy with much success.

The gelding is a 14-year-old by Hip Hop out of the Beach Boy-sired dam Kotiljong. He was bred by Bengt-Åke Bengtsson, Eneryda, Sweden, and is registered by the Swedish Warmblood Association.

JUMP-OFF

It was a very competitive jump-off, with the top 10 placed combinations delivering clears. To be in with a shot of taking a win, it was clear from the off that riders needed to cross the line within the 40-second barrier.

Second to go in the jump-off, Francis Connors set the pace when he delivered a clear with the Ballywalter Farms-owned Canterbury Della Caccia in a time of 40.42 seconds for eventual seventh.

Double-handed in the jump-off, Derek McConnell, got his first look at the course with his own Longfield Quinlui. A tight turn to the second oxer however cost him dearly as it fell to the floor and left him out of contention.

Next up, Paul Murphy shaved over two seconds off Connors’ target with Tuilleadh Uisce Beatha. Murphy wasted no time from the start and although he took the longer route back to the second oxer, he made up time over the rest of the course. A daring turn to the double, matched with a tight turn to the last saw him stop the clock in 38.35 seconds.

Just two horses later, the lead changed hands as Thomas Foley partnered Ballylynch Wizard to a clear in 37.34, which would later prove good enough for third.

A 17-year-old gelding, Ballylynch Wizard is a seasoned competitor in eventing and in showjumping. He is by Kannan out of Ryon D’Anzex-sired dam Courtisane Du Thot. Under the command of international eventers Michael and Trish Ryan, he competed with much success up to CIC3*. He was also campaigned by Michael Ryan in the showjumping field for a short period before being sold to the Foley’s. Since purchasing the horse, Cormac, Ciaran and Thomas Foley have been consistently placed at home and abroad in showjumping.

Next up, Patrick Hickey put in a solid performance with Quandurina and delivered a clear in 38.48, which saw him claim fifth place in the line-up. Along with the placing, he also took home the Botanica International leading young rider prize.

DETERMINED

Returning with his second charge, Dothraki Warlord, Derek McConnell knew what was required to take the lead. Setting off in a determined pace with the big striding gelding, he opted for the careful approach back to the second oxer. He made up time as he took five strides to the next vertical and a daring turn back to the last saw him take the lead when clocking 36.75.

Owned by Sorcha Hennessy, the gelding, who was bred by Patrick J. Kearns from Co Laois, is by Mermus R out of the Diamant De Semilly-sired dam Tiamo Diamant. Produced in Ireland by McConnell, he has clocked up a series of results in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series and in the aged classes before now moving up to 1.35m level.

Using his late draw to the best of his advantage, Kieran Carey wasted no time as he took to the course with Hip Boy. A series of tight turns matched with an extremely tight line back to the final fence, saw him clock the winning time of 33.50 and in the process demote McConnell into the runner-up spot.

Tipperary rider Andrew Hodgins is a new contender in the points race. Taking up the gauntlet, he didn’t hang about and taking a similar track to the leaders saw him cross the line, clear in 39.01, for sixth place.

The final line-up saw a fourth-place finish for Paul Murphy and Tuilleadh Uisce Beatha, which was enough for them claim the EquiJump Ltd. Leading Pro/Am prize.