THE Mervue Equine Leinster Tour took centre stage in the main grass arena at the Flavours of Fingal show in North County Dublin last Sunday. In the 1.20m two-phase class, it was Orla Cassidy and her own mare Bridgemans Olympic Star (Harlequin Du Carel x Olympic Lux) who landed the Roganstown Hotel-sponsored class.

The 34-strong start list produced 12 double clears with Cassidy fastest of these in 36.32 for the win. The runner-up spot went to LG Equine’s German-bred Castor with Stephen Wentzel in the saddle in 43.05.

Junior rider Oisin Magee and David Miley’s Ship Shape (Lancelot x Ekstein), bred by James Dunne, finished in third in 39.94. Fourth went to Sean Foley riding Tirnaskea Stud’s Dutch-bred stallion Offshore VD Watermolen (Castle Creek x Carambole).

Fifth was Harry Wood with GBBS Ltd’s Emilio Van’t Merelnest Z (Emerald van t Ruytershof x Argentinus), while sixth went to Gerry Marron’s home-bred six-year-old Kinmar Jai (Untouchable x Aganix Du Seigneur), ridden by Angela Waras.

1.10m

Dermott Lennon’s home-bred seven-year-old Beach Pleasure (Beach Ball x Aganix du Seigneur) was ridden to the top spot in the Mervue 1.10m by Sean Foley. The duo crossed the finish line in a winning time of 38.40.

Junior Nicha Phothong and her own Toulon De L’Oz were runners up in 40.34. Third went to 2nd Lt Raphael Lee aboard the Minister for Defence’s Glenaboy River (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Clover Brigade), bred by Jack O’Donohue.

Phothong also captured fourth place aboard Ronnoco Jump’s gelding KI Citelio De Blondel. Declan McEvoy and his own Leim an Bhradain (Oscar x Moon Charm) finished fifth, while Orla Cassidy and Judy Duffy’s Ballyshan Hero (Celtic Hero BZ x Verdi) completed the line-up in sixth.