JOHN Floody dominated proceedings in the TRM/Showjumpers Club Spring Tour League last Saturday, claiming three of the top placings in the line-up at The Meadows Equestrian Centre. The Co Meath rider took the 1.35m Grand Prix win with Accidental Diamond when he crossed the line with nothing to add in 41.59 seconds.
This combination is proving very consistent in this league, having also claimed the runner-up spot at Portmore the previous week. They also claimed a win, second and third place in the rounds at Cavan. They now have a decisive lead on the overall leaderboard on 43 points with closest rivals Lee Carey and Kan Cruise on 30 points.
Owned by Kathryn Magennis and bred by John Kearney from Co Louth, Accidental Diamond is a 10-year-old gelding by Diamond Roller out of the High Roller-sired Cottage Donna. Kearney has four other offspring registered from the dam.
Speaking after the win, Floody said: “It was great to have three horses in the line-up. They are all jumping very well and on top form. It was a very quick class with Emma McEntee setting a tough target to catch. Emma is always very fast against the clock and I knew she was one to watch. I had the opportunity to try out a few options with HTS Carnanbreagha and Donevan Erkindale, but they just could not catch Emma.
“With Accidental Diamond, he is a big horse, almost 18hh, and I knew that I could make up the time by taking out a few strides. The course really suited him as it was a real galloping track. Thankfully all the poles stayed in place and it went my way.”
A total of 21 combinations lined out and of those, eight proceeded to the timed round.
Emma McEntee riding RHS Blue, placing second in the 1.35m Grand Prix at the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour at The Meadows EC \ Tori O'Connor
Placed fourth in the previous round at Portmore, defending champion Emma McEntee piloted RHS Blue into second place when she kept all the poles in place in a time of 43.48. Emma also took home the leading young rider prize of the round.
Owned by John Hoyne and bred by Deirdre McGuckian, the nine-year-old mare is by Cheers Cassinin out of the Cruisings Micky Finn-sired Tullibards Ask Benny. This mare was previously campaigned by Brendan Murphy up to 1.35m level.
Not content with the win, Floody took third place with HTS Carnanbreagha when he was less than a second behind McEntee in a time of 44.30. Owned by Clare Craig and bred by Brian Kiernan, the nine-year-old gelding is by Sir Shutterfly out of the Aldatus Z-sired gelding Ballybunion Aldatus. He also took fourth place for good measure when he delivered a clear with Donevan Erkindale in 44.31. Owned by Kevin and the late Geralyn Thompson, Donevan Erkindale is a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Unaniem out of Mirthe (Faust Z).
Slotting into fifth place were Nicole Kershaw and Clovalent when they came home clear in 45.84. Owned by Keonan Stables and bred by Mary McCann, this eight-year-old mare is by Valent out of the Cruising-sired Cruising May Clover.
Ellie Humphries opted for the longer lines with CV Santander and it paid off as she delivered the last of the double clears in a time of 52.08 for sixth place. Owned by Alison Mercer, the 13-year-old mare is by Womanizer out of the Coevers Diamond Boy-sired Killnalahin Pride.
Nicole Kershaw riding Novellent, winners of the 1.20m at the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour at The Meadows EC \ Tori O'Connor
Win for Kershaw
It was a good day for Nicole Kershaw as she took the win in the 1.20m with Novellent, clear in 29.03. Kershaw was chased home by Emma Jackson and Kylestone Cashel when they delivered a clear in 32.84.
Slotting into third place were Nicholas Bothwell and Newberry Cleverleaf, clear in 34.10, ahead of Luke Campbell and the seven-year-old SJ Nice Guy, clear in 41.12. Fifth place belonged to Charlotte Harding and C and G Pie, clear in 44.33, while Campbell returned to take sixth place with Black Out, clear in 44.78.
Rebecca Mooney riding Knockroe Decies Girl, winners of the 1.10m at the TRM Showjumpers Spring Tour at The Meadows EC \ Tori O'Connor
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