THERE is a theme of young talents impressing on the national circuit in this review and once again it was a young rider who claimed the first title of the year – the TRM/Showjumpers Club Spring Tour.

Despite being delayed by Covid-19 restrictions, the tour did eventually get underway in February, to the relief of those based in Ireland, and in the end, Northern-based Business Management student Emma McEntee (20) came out on top and claimed the title at the final in Coilóg Equestrian Centre last April.

Riding Miguel Bravo’s MHS New York, an eight-year-old gelding by Quidam Junior, out of Cavalier Kells, who was bred by Thomas Brennan, McEntee accumulated 35 points over the 14-round league to secure the title.

Runner-up was fellow young rider Robin Moran with James McMahon’s Coolminga Inspector Royal on 33 points.

It had been neck and neck between the two talented youngsters throughout the league but with points and a half on offer in the last round it was all still to play for.

Neither rider had the performance in the final they would have wanted, but in the end it was a fastest four-fault round which saw McEntee take ninth place, while Moran collected eight faults and finished out of the prizes.

Juggling act

A delighted McEntee commented: “The times that we are in have allowed me to study and ride. I took over the ride of MHS New York eight months ago from my brother John and prior to him, Mikey Pender campaigned the horse. The plan will be to step up to the Premier Grand Prix series.”

McEntee also became a brand ambassador for TRM Equestrian as the leading young rider of the series. “It’s great to become a brand ambassador for TRM. We already use their products and I can say that they really work.”

The leading TRI Working Producer of the series was Kildare rider Stephen Murphy. Murphy, who works in property management, picked up points with Chantelle in the rounds at Broadmeadows, Killossery and JAG Equestrian.

Read all the 2021 reviews from the national show jumping scene here.