GALWAY rider Sven Hadley is proving very consistent in the TRM/Showjumpers Club Spring Tour League and he upped the ante last Sunday to take the win in the round at Kernans Equestrian Centre in Crossmaglen, Co Down.

Riding the Hadley Sport Horses-owned Uidam, he delivered the winning round in 39.51 seconds and with it took home the winner’s share of the £2,700 on offer. Bred by Padraig Howley, the 15-year-old mare is by Luidam out of the Cavalier Royale-sired Miss Mac Car. This combination was just out of the top six line-up in the round at Warrington having delivered a double clear round.

Speaking after the win, Hadley said: “All the horses have been performing very well in this tour and I am delighted to have the win today. I had three in the jump-off and I went first with Castlefield Blue, who had one down. I had the advantage of going last with Uidam and she is very quick so I knew I could push her.

“The stallion Phenomene Bleu VDM has been very consistent in this league, delivering clear rounds in all the legs that he has competed in. Overall, it was a good show with Tori (Dunn) also being placed for Hadley Sport Horses. It’s a busy time for us with mares and the transport business. I would like to thank the team for all their support.”

Hadley added: “The course designing on the day was excellent and it has been that way to throughout the series. I would like to thank TRM for sponsoring the league as its great way to start the season. This is an incredibly important tour to riders and horse producers.”

Competitive

Hadley was one of 22 combinations to take up the challenge and from the original starters, four delivered double clears in the 11-horse jump-off. A further five combinations had one down against the clock.

Harry Marshall came closest to catching Hadley and, despite taking all the tight lines with Daylight VHS Z, a clear in 41.27 would only prove good enough to claim the runner-up place. Owned by Marshall, the nine-year-old Belgian bred mare is by Douglas out of the Indorado-sired mare Morning Star.

Hadley also took home another share of the prize fund when he took third place with Euro Horse Axel Verloy’s Phenomene Bleu VDM. This combination placed third in the round at Warrington and before that they were the runners-up in the round at Wexford.

The eight-year-old stallion is by Diamant De Semilly out of the Nabab De Reve mare Nuance Bleue VDM Z. Triple handed in the jump-off, he also took ninth place with the eight-year-old Castlefield Blue, when faulting once against the clock in a time of 43.94.

Accounting for fourth place was Mark Tracy and Beech Hill Tayla Blue after they delivered the last double clear in 46.66. Owned by Mark’s wife Heike, the home-bred 13-year-old mare is by Bonmahon Master Blue out of Loughnatousa Ruby (Temple Clover). This combination had a top 10 finish in the round at Cavan in February after delivering a double clear round.

Victoria Clarke put in a very fast round with her own Major Royale, clocking 40.30, but with one on the ground she had to settle for fifth place in the line-up. Bred by Paul Seymour, the nine-year-old gelding is by OBOS Quality 004 out of Rama Dama (Cavalier Royale).

Completing the top six was Nicole Kershaw with the Keonan Stables-owned Fury. The combination had one down in a time of 42.46.