ALTHOUGH show jumping fixtures are gathering momentum after the festive period, the beginning of 2015 has been fairly quiet for many riders who use this time for holidays, yard-duties, bringing youngsters on and/or preparing for the various sunshine tours that begin next month.

Richard Howley ended the year on a high note when Commisaris won the hotly contested Blue Chip Karma Performance qualifier at Bishop Burton.

The Yorkshire-based Irish rider thinks a lot of this No Limit seven-year-old and after recent recent places at Harrogate, Kingsbarn and Aintree, thinks the careful gelding will be a lively contender for the Foxhunter second rounds this summer.

“He’s been with us for a few months now; he has plenty of jump, improves with every outing and is one we will take to Spain in a few weeks,” said Howley.

Now well settled in with Adrian Marsh at the Heathcroft Stud in Cheshire, Dean Wilson has been a regular competitor at South View and Aintree International Equestrian Centre.

Wilson, who hails from Kilkenny, recently rode a winner at South View Croft Aurora heading the Discovery line-up.

The six-year-old mare by Casanova Du Domaine Z has been regularly placed with Wilson over the last few weeks and she was quick across the ground and in the air to win this at the end of the year.

“The class was competitive enough, but she is a careful mare who is deceptively fast,” said Wilson.

Also riding a winner at the same show was Taylor Croke who had Bonmahon Foxtrot curling round the wings to win the newcomers class.

Croke last rode Ned Pritchard’s Irish-bred nine-year-old at Anglesey County in summer where they gained third spot in the newcomers but the pair quickly gelled again to head a decent jump-off.

“I’ve had a few quiet weeks but it’s back to business now,” said Croke.

Despite the arctic conditions north of the English border, Trevor Nicholson continues to travel and show good form in Scotland.

“We’ve had snow, sleet and high winds and for two days, we could barely move but luckily we kept the horses ticking over well.”

At the end of year show at Morris Equestrian Centre, Nicholson jumped creditable double clears on two new rides.

Despite having Kempton for just three weeks, Nicholson got a good tune out of the Irish-bred six-year-old who consistently jumped double clears in the novice classes.

Riding Eternity, another talented six-year-old Nicholson also remained faultless in the Discovery and small Grand Prix.

“I briefly rode him in October and he recently came back to me and he’s going very well,” said Nicholson.

Another double clear specialist, Crocodile Rock, maintained his consistency and he remained on a zero score in the Foxhunter competition.

Riding Cordoba, Nicholson finished second in the 1.10m class before storming to victory in the entertaining Knockout competition.

“He’s a big strong horse but he proved fast and agile enough over the three rounds,” concluded Nicholson.

SOUTH VIEW SCENE

With his local scene very quiet early in January, Patrick Boyle made the journey to compete at the 148cms pony premier show at South View Equestrian Centre in Cheshire.

Boyle travelled two ponies Casino Royale VIII and What A Legend from his Belfast base.

“We had no shows at all for a few weeks and I’m keen to keep going so we thought we’d make the effort to come here and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the trip. These have been good courses and the experience has been invaluable,” said Boyle who intends to aim for the Dublin qualifiers this year.

Although dogged by bad weather at his Malvern base, Bryan Smith continues to make good progress with his new string.

“We have some good horses to run and I’m looking forward to the year ahead,” said Smith who has high hopes for Mo Smith’s Irish-bred mare Elamo Bewitched who went very well at the Hartpury Spectacular.

“A potential super star this one,” added Smith.

Bryan Smith also rode Cornetto King at the Hartpury stallion show.

By Cornet Obolensky, this 12-year-old stallion achieved many wins and places with John Whitaker.

“He jumped amazing,” said Smith.

Mark Dorgan, Roger McCrea, Keith Doyle and Eoin Gallagher are just some of the Irish riders who expect to be out competing in the next week or two.