MULLINGAR proved to be happy hunting ground for Aileen McDermott as she dominated the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour claiming the 1.10m and 1.20m classes last Friday. Riding her own Amber Balou, the amateur rider (AA) clinched victory in the 1.20m section when she delivered a double clear in 26.74.
McDermott, from Collinstown, Co Westmeath is no stranger to success in the amateur classes. Her home-bred Amber Balou is a nine-year-old mare by Baloubet du Rouet out of the her own Kilcor Amber, also a very successful mount for the rider in the amateur ranks.
McDermott was chased home by Robert Murdy and Trickin Around who kept all the poles in place in 27.28. Olivia Burns was fractions of a second behind with Arthur Codex, crossing the line in 27.82 for third. A clear for Patrick Joyce and Glyntown Blake in 28.60 saw them slot into fourth, ahead of Sven Hadley and Calanthe Slot in 28.65.
Completing the top-six line-up were James Hogg and Poker Face JS, clear in 29.77. Placed seventh in the class with Ballynoe Cruising Riot, Seamus Hennessy took home the leading young rider prize.
Double joy
McDermott also emerged victorious in the 1.10m Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour, recording the winning round aboard Amber Balou, clear in 23.97. McDermott was almost five seconds faster than her closest rival, fellow amateur rider Catherine Dunphy (AA), clear in 28.71 aboard her own Eden.
Young rider Alex Reynolds took third place with Marie Molloy’s CES Sunny Cruise, clear in 29 and Reynolds also took home the leading young rider prize of this round.
Local rider Emma Dolan secured fourth, delivering a clear with Mosstown Ernest, in 30.76. Robert Murdy was back in the ribbons when he answered all the questions aboard the Cyril Trenier-owned Fiske in 30.76 for fifth place. Sven Hadley also took another share of the prize fund when he kept all the poles in place with the Finatan Devanney-owned Frank Flash in 31.79 for sixth place.
Floody triumphs in 1.35m
John Floody is certainly proving to be a dominant force in the 1.35m Mervue Equine Leinster Tour, as he lodged another win in the series. This time, the Co Meath rider took the win aboard Donevan Erkindale, fastest of the double clears in 28.13. Floody has previously taken the win at Ravensdale Lodge with Ballynock Diamond and was also second with Donevan Erkindale. This was an important result for Floody as it moves him to the top end of the leaderboard with both horses.
Owned by Kevin and the late Geralyn Thompson, Donevan Erkindale is a 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Unaniem out of the Faust Z-sired Mirthe. This combination started the summer season on a positive, taking the final round of the TRM Showjumpers Spring Tour League.
There was a massive turnout for this division with 111 entries and from those, 39 delivered double clears.
Meath’s Gerard Clarke took the runner-up place when he crossed the line aboard Lupins Luz Z in a time of 30.15. Clarke is a real contender in this league, having gone into this leg in third position on the leaderboard. This result puts him in second place behind Francis Connors and Rossa Lugh Derg.
Sharing equal third (30.22) were James Whyte (Carrigoran) and Richard Kerins riding the Pat Gallagher-owned Carralavin Cruise. Young rider Niamh McEvoy took fifth here with Haifa OL when she posted 30.44. McEvoy was also the leading young rider in this division.
Not content with the win, Floody also secured sixth place with Clare Craig’s eight-year-old HTS Carnabreagha. Claiming the Pro Am prize was Delcan McEvoy.