ARD Chuain Equestrian Centre hosted the final of the CWD sponsored Children on Horses and Pony Spring Tour last weekend.

With the added bonus of glorious sunshine, the idyllic setting on the outskirts of Ballina lent itself to a very exciting final and as always, the Reape family extended a huge welcome and great hospitality.

Rafael Suarez was the appointed course designer and once again, created technical and testing tracks throughout the day.

CWD representative Reece St John left his stand in Cavan to be on hand for all the presentations throughout the day and was thrilled to witness some of the best pony jumping Ireland has to offer.

The Children on Horses were the first of the finalists to get underway where their class was jumped off for placings. With 13 starters between the 1.10m and 1.20m sections, six of these went through to the jump-off where Jack Ryan produced the only double clear of the competition on Cavalier Teaca, this combination stopping the clock in 39.88 and picking up valuable extra points for the zero score.

Taking second was Jennifer Kuehnle on Deita De La Bouverie (0/4 44.65), only two hundredths of a second quicker than Emma McEntee on Miss Tonic (0/4 44.67). This result changed things around at the top of the leaderboard with Jack Ryan claiming the title of CWD Childen On Horses Spring Tour winner 2015 while the runner-up was Jennifer Kuehnle with Theo Van Cauwenberghe taking third place on the podium.

It was also final trial day for those wishing to travel to Fontainebleau, 35 started in the 148cms 1.30 class with 13 gaining the valuable zero first round score. Kate Derwin started a great day for her family as she claimed the first win of their hat-trick, riding the Carol Gee-owned Springhill Annora, this pair produced one of five double clears in a time of 39.64.

Incredibly there was a tie for second place as Abbie Sweetnam (Spartacus Reape) and Jack Ryan (Sixmilewater Blaze) both broke the beam in 41.56 leaving Cormac Foley (Crown Jewel) to take fourth in 42.62.

Continuing in the 148cms arena. the CWD 1.20m final attracted a field of 55, with 29 of these battling this out to the end. Patrick Hickey and Hannah O’Shea had only one point separating them at the top of the leader board and with both into the jump-off, the atmosphere was tense.

Unfortunately neither of these athletes picked up any points as Oisin Aylward and Coppenagh Tom Sparrow claimed the win with a clear round in 37.52 ahead of Cormac Foley (Another Destiny) in 39.23. Third place went to local lad Ciaran Nallon with his new ride Javas Lady Bug (0/0 40.82). Hickey had earned enough points to see him crowned CWD 148cms Spring Tour Champion with O’Shea also safe to retain runner-up spot, leaving Aylward moving up to finish third in the league as points and a half were on offer on the day.

DERWIN TREBLE

In the 128cms CWD Spring Tour Final, Francis Derwin won the second leg of the Derwin treble as he emerged victorious on Buachaill Baire, clear in 36.84 from a field of 48. Max Foley and Sparkel was second as he produced a lovely double clear in 38.28 ahead of Natasha Kerr and The Nut Cracker (0/0 40.63).

League leader Tom Wachman and PARC Epic picked up four faults in the first round but had earned enough points to take his first major title of a budding young career as he was crowned CWD 128cms Pony Spring Tour winner. Giving the winner a great run for his money was Max Foley, this Leinster athlete already has several titles under his belt and is a seasoned campaigner already. Foley amassed 18.5 points for second place with Ulster region athlete Natasha Kerr and The Nut Cracker finishing in third with 14 points.

The Derwin onslaught concluded with Kate taking the win in the CWD 138cms 1.10m class, riding Buttons Two, this pair jumped the fastest of the 12 double clears, 33.50, from 39 starters. Harry Allen and Fountain Ranger finished in second 36.82 with Derwin also taking third on Small Titan (36.96). This saw Derwin crowned CWD 138cms Spring Tour champion with 14.5 points, runner-up was Harry Allen on 12.5 with league leader Jack Ryan dropping to third with 12 points.