WITH Storm Emma leading to the cancellation of the fourth round of the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour at Killossery Lodge, the battle for league points resumed last Sunday at Portmore Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.

Claiming her first win of the series was Angela Percy aboard El Cid V.H. Migroveld. Although it is still early stages in the league, no one rider has lodged multiple wins and as result, the title is still up to the taking.

Owned by Percy, El Cid V.H. Migroveld is a 14-year-old Belgian-bred gelding. Bred by William De Winne Dendermonde from Belgium, he is by Querlybet Hero out of the Pachat II-sired mare, Manitoba. This combination had finished in eighth place at Broadmeadows, after delivering a double clear. Prior to this, they had finished sixth in the opening round at JAG Equestrian.

A delighted Angela Percy said: “The time was a bit tight in the first round. I managed to stay inside the time by taking a shortcut between fence two and three. I got the horse from Cian O’Connor last year and he is a really talented. I would like to thank Cian for sending me such a good horse. I am hoping for a good season with him and perhaps aim for Balmoral International classes.”

Regarding the jump-off, Percy added: “I went towards the end and I had seen a few go, so I knew I had to go for it. Today the turns came up for me. Sometimes this works for you others days it doesn’t. Today thankfully it worked for me.”

It was another good start-list with 27 combinations going to post. From those, 12 proceeded to the jump-off. Those with a win in mind however needed to made up time from one to two, before taking on the double at nine. Riders also needed to negotiate a tight line to the penultimate fence, which was off positioned just off a corner. This line, along with a strong pace to the final vertical would certainly put them in contention.

The first double clear of the class was delivered by Jamie Landers. Riding Valtor De Blagny, he put in a very fast round in 44.92 seconds, to put it up to the rest.

Fourth to go against the clock with Victoria Z, Sven Hadley had his foot firmly to the floor and although a clear 45.12 failed to demote Landers, it was enough to slot Hadley into provisional second and later eventual fifth.

Triple-handed in the jump-off, Hadley returned with Realt Na Carraig. Setting off strong, he made up the time from fence one to two, but despite every effort, he failed to make the time in the turn backs. A clear round however in 43.31 would later see him slot into third, just ahead of Landers.

PROLIFIC WINNER

Winner of the tour last year in Portmore, Shannon Mackenzie cleary had her eye on the prize. Drawn eight to go against the clock, Mackenzie threw down the gauntlet as she negotiated a tight turn to the penultimate, which saw her reduced the target to 42.25.

Owned by Mackenzie, Bens Lady Lux is a mare by Lux Z out of a Cavalier Royale-sired dam Leading Edge. Purchased as an unbroken three-year-old from the breeder, David Blessington, the home-produced mare has been a prolific winner for Mackenzie. From the off, the mare showed considerable talent, winning the inaugural Irish Breeders Classic in 2012 and going on to represent Ireland at the World Breeding Championships in Lanaken in 2013. She then went on to compete in the international seven and eight-year-old class at the Dublin Horse Show, before stepping up Grand Prix level and more recently to CSI3* level. Last year the combination ended the season with a win in the Table A in Cavan CSI1*.

Third last to go, all eyes were on Angela Percy as she took to the course with El Cid V.H. Migroveld. Percy made up valuable time from the off, but in particular in the turn back to the double and then by taking the inside line to fence four. A good pace to the last saw her stop the clock in 41.79 to take the win.

Last to go with Sumas Taloubet, Sven Hadley proved out of luck when faulting at the penultimate fence in a time of 39.61. Although Hadley had to settle for third in the Spring Tour, he didn’t go home too disappointed as he took the win in the 1.30m with Quanbell (Quentin x VB) and fourth with Why Not Fado (Cardenio x Why Not Van Hec Haelemeershos). The Galway rider also took the win in the 1.20m aboard Ganorad (Bacardi vdl x Anora) and fourth with Why Not Fado.

The leading young rider in Portmore was Abbey Morton. Riding her home-bred Blueoak Yogi, a clear in 48.49 saw her take sixth place. Morton had previously campaigned Blueoak Yogi’s half-sister, Patchmills Laura in the Children on Horses European Championships division. The family are still breeding from the 18-year-old dam Patchmills Queen.