FEMALE athletes are certainly making their mark on this year’s TRM/The Showjumpers Club Spring Tour, with Joanne Blair securing victory in Warrington on St Patrick’s Day.

Riding her own Mon Ami, she was one of two riders to remain within the 30-second mark. Speaking after her win, Blair said: “I was delighted with the round today as there was a strong field and it’s always hard to go early in such a competitive field. I just knew the horse is fast and that the course would suit her. My plan was to put the pressure on, but it was hard to know if I had done enough.”

Bred by Brian McClintock, Mon Ami is a nine-year-old gelding by Sandro Boy (OLD) out of the Broussard-sired dam Blackmoor Diamond Delight (ISH). Blair bought him as a foal from McClintock and has produced him through the ranks.

Originally from Antrim, she began working for Galway-based Richard Bourns in October and is looking forward to the season ahead with some really nice horses coming through the ranks at Bourns Sport Horses. “I would like to thank Richard for this opportunity work with him and with some really exciting horses,” she added.

In a change of format, the Spring Tour was run as a two-phase competition instead the normal jump-off. Permission to run as a two-phase was given to the Moloney family from The Showjumpers Club. This is permitted in the rules under the exceptional circumstances. As it was a public bank holiday and to ensure smooth running of the class, which had 61 runners, the Club deemed it appropriate.

The course, which was designed by Tom Holden asked a few questions, in particular in the first phase where the turn back from the oxer at four to a vertical caught a few out.

Those with a win in mind, needed to keep the pressure on to the last oxer. There was a very high standard on the day, with 17 combinations delivering double clears and the first of those came from second to go, Ethen Aherne, and the aptly named BP St Patrick, who clocked 42.46.

Just two horses later, National Grand Prix Champion, Derek McConnell lowered that target, when he answered all the questions in a time of 29.73 aboard the Sorcha Hennessy-owned Izzy. Again, this lead held only temporarily as two horses later, Joanne Blair delivered the winning round in a time of 29.40, to relegate McConnell to second place which he held on to.

Going late in the draw, resident rider Eddie Moloney knew what he needed to do as he took to the course with Temple Alice, and a series of tight turns saw him break the beams in 30.07, good enough for third place. Jason Foley was fractions behind with Julian Pearson’s Killossery Krescendo in 30.09 for eventual fourth, while in fifth was Kevin Gallagher in 30.32 aboard GBBS Int LTD’s Ballypatrick Flamenco. Slotting into sixth place were Sven Hadley and Uidam (0/0 30.61).

Claiming the TRI Sponsored Working Producer award was Sorcha North.

Current leader on the Tour, Robyn Moran may not have featured in this line-up, but she did emerge victorious in the 1.10m and 1.20m aboard European Cruise. The next round takes place today (Saturday) at Tipperary EC, followed by a round in Cavan tomorrow (Sunday).