IT was another good weekend for the CWD Pony Spring Tour as Galway Equestrian saw record numbers turnout to contest the second round of the popular tour. Following on from last week at Portmore, competition in each division went down to the wire.

128cms

Placed second in the opening round, Coen Williams made no mistake this time as he dominated the 128cms division. Riding Parc Giggles, Williams was the fastest of the 16-pony jump-off when crossing the line clear in 34.34 seconds to take victory.

Not content with the win, the Co Clare rider also took the runner-up spot when he partnered Lakefield Stormy to another clear in 35.77 for second place. Williams also claimed fourth place when he delivered another clear with Eywas Morganna in 37.38 seconds.

Dividing Williams’ places was Matthew Conlon, who steered The Silver Legend around in 36.15 for third place. Alexandra Hourigan wasted no time with Twin Cam, but despite a quick pace, a clear in 37.86 was only good enough for fifth place. Eoin Brennan and Ashsars Miami Bound repeated last week’s performance when they slotted into sixth place with a clear round in 38.31.

138cms

Niamh McEvoy continued her good form, demonstrated the previous week, when she led the victory lap in the 138cms. Riding Brian Moran’s Riot Del Peglil, she stopped the clock in 36.13 seconds. Sarah Fitzgerald was fractions behind with Strandfield Ruby when crossing the line in 37.61 for second place.

Ava Shortall and Rogild’s Artax slotted into third place, also delivering a clear, this time in 38.31. Winner of the opening round, Francis Derwin added to his points tally when he crossed the line clear in a time of 38.45 second with Ruby Brown for eventual fourth.

Caragh Charlton’s more cautious approach with Western Oreo paid off as they kept everything in place in 39.53 for fifth place. Ava Shortall was back to pick up another rosette when she partnered Dizzy Rascal to a clear in 40.43 for sixth place.

148cms

It was another good week for Kate Derwin as she took the honours in the 148cms division for the second week in a row. This time riding Springhill Rebellious, she recorded the winning round in 35.23 seconds. Derwin was chased home by John Murray and Irish Builder, who also kept all the poles intact, albeit in a slower time of 37.49 for second place.

Orla Duffy’s decision to play it safe aboard Boston Burgler paid dividends as she recorded a clear in 43.12 for third.

Just fractions of a second separated the next placing as Jason Foley, riding Crafy Colours, crossed the line with nothing to add in 43.80 seconds for eventual fourth. Dan Geaney delivered a foot-perfect round with For Kids Only in 46.67 for fifth, while Niamh McEvoy also featured in this division’s line-up, slotting into sixth when clear with Fireman in 53.50 seconds.

148 1.30m Viewing Class

A total of 19 combinations lined out for the 148cm viewing trial and four of those managed to deliver a double clear. Fastest of the four was Lucy Shanahan and Caliber DE in 44.37 seconds. In second place was Kate Derwin and Master Stevie G, who crossed the line in 44.72, while Ruari Clarke and Knockroe Little Mike were just over three seconds behind in 47.76 for third.

Last of the double clears was Cora Sharkey and Whos Arco in 55.30. Fastest of the four faulters in the five-way jump-off was Kate Derwin and Cul Ban Mistress in 46.98.

Children on Horses

Children on Horses were put through their paces for the second week and they again were up for the challenge with four combinations delivering double clears. Those keeping all the poles in place were Seamus Hennessy riding Ballynoe Carnival Girl, Maddy Norris riding Kilrainey High Destination. Natasha Kerr featured for the second week in the line-up when she also delivered a clear with Chekane, as did Brian Kuehnle and Deita de La Bouverie.