THE Munster Tour came to an exciting close last Saturday at Clare Equestrian Centre, with five titles being awarded from 90cm up to 1.30m. The tour which began in April, consisted of six rounds plus the final, all well supported by riders in each division.

Delighted with the support that the tour received, the Munster SJI thanked all the venues for hosting as well as helping sponsor a leg of the tour.

Of the five titles on offer, Galway’s Sven Hadley took the 1.20m and the 1.30m Grand Prix. Winners of the 1.10m league were Lorraine Young and Belfieldflight, while the 1m champions were Shannon McGuire and JBF Riverfield Alka. The final title in the 90m title was won by Vicky Collins and Fabienne.

In the 1.30m, Sven Hadley was in poll position going into the final on 32 points, also in the runner-up position with Uidam on 27 points and in fourth with Calanthe Slot on 14 points. A win in the final round with Uidam, added another 10 points to their tally to secure him the league in this division.

In the 1.20m Hadley dominated this section finishing in first and second place. He secured the title with Top Spin finishing on 23 points. This combination featured in all five line-ups prior to the final round.

Riding Elastique Van De Koekoek, Hadley also occupied second place on the leaderboard going into the final, while his partner Tori Dunn also put in a great performance with Brookville Luc to clock up 14 points ahead of the final. Hadley Sport Horses proved unbeatable as they occupied the top five places on the leaderboard, the other slots being filled by Brookville Luc and HSH Harper Du Seigneu.

Final round honours

Sven Hadley’s domination of the Munster Grand Prix 1.30m continued in the final round as he took the honours with Uidam. Hadley put in a spectacular round as he delivered a clear in 32.33, almost eight seconds faster than his closest rival. In total, 26 combinations went to post in the two phase and from those, four delivered double clears.

Taking the runner-up place was Rhys Williams and Conthanja PS, clear in 40.08. Williams took another place in the line-up, as he slotted into third with Cowboy Balou, clear in 43.57. Abbie Sweetnam and Brown Star Z, were last of the double clears in 44.31 for eventual fourth. Ronan Costello proved that the time could be beaten as he crossed the line with Altivo in 31.33, but a pole on the ground would only prove good enough for fifth place. Also on four faults and filling sixth place was Andrew Hodgins and Sandra in 43.10

Moran captures 1.20m

Runner-up in the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour, Robyn Moran was back in the ribbons, this time taking the win in the 1.20m section. Riding her father Brian’s European Cruise, she galloped home in 27.78.

Sven Hadley, no stranger to going fast against the clock, came closest with Ganorad, stopping the timers in 29.01. Holly Anne Sweetnam took third place with Verdi Valintina in 30.05, ahead of Hadley and Calanthe Slot in 30.53. Fifth place belonged to Jack Brennan and Dignified Grace in 30.57, while in sixth place was Tori Dunn riding the Cavan Equestrian-owned Brookville Lux.

Frazer triumphs in 1.10m

In the 1.10m section, Limerick’s Katie Frazer put in a great performance with her own Keylogues Gold, delivering a clear in 28.60 to take the win. Following closely behind was Caroline Ryan with Failte Iroko, who kept all the poles in place in 29.31. Hadley also featured in this line-up, taking third with Shona Lynch’s Bobby Womanizer, clear in 30.60, ahead of Jane Devine and Ramiro Be Classe, clear in 34.86.

Maura Counihan Jnr played it safe with Killerisk Harper Lee and delivered a clear in 36.29 for fifth place. Completing the top six line-up was Anthony O’Regan and Helsinki, clear in 39.33.

Connolly takes 1m final

Winner of the 1m final round was Sarah Connolly and Shinawil, clear in 30.37. She was chased home by Sinead Dahill and Ballrennetta Lady, who clocked 30.44. Third place clear in 30.95 went to Aisling Donoghue with Walmore Sport, ahead of Edel Kelly and Simbaa in 32.50.

Emer O’Keeffe and Thing of Magic kept the poles in place in 32.86 for fifth place, while in sixth was Mia Egan with Dark Son CES.

Kelly wins 90cm

Leading the victory lap in the 90cm was Edel Kelly and Simbaa, clear in 33.03. Slotting into second place was Alex Butler and One for Tomorrow, clear in 34.16. Third place was filled by Hannah Power and Killone Zarco, clear in 37.78, while in fourth place was Grace Hennessy and Captain Know How, clear in 41.35.

A clear in 42.31 secured Seamus Hennessy and Ballynoe Ronnoco Tyson fifth, ahead of league winner Vicky Collins and Fabienne, who had a pole on the ground in 33.80.