MIKEY Pender put his first points on the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour leaderboard when he took the win in Coilog last Saturday. Riding HHS California, he was almost three seconds faster than his closest rival when clocking 25.28 seconds.

The eight-year-old mare, who was bred by Marion Hughes has already featured in the league, taking third place in the round at Barnadown under Hughes’ command. The mare also qualified for the RDS in the Children on Horses division with Marta Hughes when finishing second in the Cavan qualifier.

In total, 30 combinations took on the Tom Holden-designed course and, from those, eight proceeded to the jump-off where all but one delivered double clears. Local sponsor on this occasion was CoilÓg Catering 4 U.

Waterford rider, Gemma Phelan and GRC Acapella kept all the poles in place, in a slower time of 28.18 for second. John Floody and Shalamar Cassino was less than a second behind, in 28.60 for third.

The next two slots were filled by young riders. Best of those was Roisin Fagan and Ikan, who crossed the line in 33.19 for eventual fourth. Fagan also took home the leading young rider prize of the round. Kilkenny rider Anna Carway, was hot on her heels as she partnered Claricella to a clear in 34.35 for fifth.

Susan Fitzpatrick and HHS Matilde, completed the top six, when clocking 36.01. The last double clear was delivered by Matt Garrigan and Lady 2275, in a time of 38.53.

In the 1.20m division, victory went to John Floody when he kept all the poles in place with Donevan Erkindale, in a time of 33.43. Owned by Kevin Thompson and Geralyn Thompson, the 10-year-old Dutch-bred gelding is by Unaniem and out of Faust Z.

Placed second in the round in Ballivor, Sarah Gorman went one better as she took the honours in the 1.10m division.

Riding Take A Gamble, the Wexford rider lodged a clear in 29.08. With the win, she also took the leading pro-am prize. It has certainly been a busy few months for Gorman, having also qualified for the Dublin Horse Show Amateurs division in the first round at Warrington.

The next round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour takes place in Bannow and Rathangan on July 12th.