THE Mervue Equine Leinster Tour travelled to Kildare this weekend, with JAG Equestrian playing host to the fifth round of the popular tour. As in previous rounds, the tour attracted a large number, with over 100 combinations taking part within the three divisions.

Leading the victory lap in the 1.35m division was Orla Cassidy and Bridgemans Olympic Star when they came home with nothing to add in a time of 43.33secs. This combination had finished third the week before at Ballivor show. Owned by Cassidy, the 11-year-old mare is by Harlequin Du Carel out of the Olympic Lux-sired Brocka Rose.

Ethen Ahearne also put in a foot-perfect round with his own Jack Sparrows in a time of 44.22 for second place. This eight-year-old is by Douglas out of the Pilot-sired Nicolette S.

Kildare’s Grace McHugh opted for the more cautious lines with Berlios Van De Kapel and it paid off as she delivered a clear 45.45 for third place. This 16-year-old gelding is by Quasimodo Z out of Superior Van De Kapel.

Local rider Stephen Murphy came home with nothing to add aboard Chantelle in 46.63 for eventual fourth place, ahead of junior young rider Matthew Farrell and the eight-year-old LKD Mini Q, clear in 47.22. Owned by Brian Murphy, Chantelle is a 13-year-old mare by Lux Z out of the Errigal Flight-sired Texaco’s Delphie. LKD Mini Q is owned by Valerie Farrell and was bred by Thomas Minogue. This mare is by O.B.O.S Quality 004 out of Lady Scarriff.

Sixth place belonged to Camilla Speirs and her own eight-year-old Ogue BT Special, fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 44.77. This gelding is by I’m Special De Muze and out of the Ars Vivendi-sired Ogue Carel Alice.

Harley takes victory

Leading the 1.10m division after Ballivor on a total of 14 points, Marie Harley (AA) added to her leaderboard tally when she took the win. Riding her own Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, she delivered the winning clear in 30.40.

Fellow amateur rider Laura Walsh was fractions behind in 31.99 with Ballinaguilkey Heritage to take the runner-up spot. Slotting into third place and claiming the young rider prize of this round was Liaria Ryan and Killycloghan Rising Star, clear in 33.32.

Harley took another share of the prize fund when she piloted Scarthill Vendi to a clear in 33.34 for eventual fourth place. Aidan Loftus was exactly a second behind with CES Sunny Cruise, in 34.33 for fifth place, while amateur rider Michael O’Neill and Hermes De Cavalier slotted into sixth place, clear in 37.40.

Win for Ryan

Placed third in the 1.10m, Larisa Ryan improved on her performance to take the 1.20m. Riding the eight-year-old Killycloghan Rising Star, she lodged the winning clear in 30.36. Aileen McDermott took the runner-up spot with the consistent Amber Balou, clear in 32.81, ahead of Hartley and Scarthill Vendi, who kept all the poles in place in 34.57. A clear from Nicola FitzGibbon and Faline in 35.47 saw them take fourth place.

Winner of the round hosted at Coliog, young rider Wiktoria Starzak was back in the line-up, this time taking fifth with Alfadaeo, clear in 36.50. Junior rider Emily Moloney completed the top-six line-up, delivering a clear in 37secs with Capitol Cruis.