IN a double bill of the Equijump Ltd Pony Spring Tour, pony riders travelled to Ennis and Cork in a bid to pick up valuable points as they head into the latter end of the popular tour. The action kicked off at Banner Equestrian last Saturday with good numbers being recorded across all categories at the venue.

In the 128cm 80cm, 11 double clears were delivered and fastest of those and taking the win was Tim Hawkins and O’B Poppet in a time of 27.06 seconds. Not content with the win, he also took second place with Whistletown Blue Belle, when they clocked 27.58. Third place belonged to Josh Fitzgerald and Miss Lexi in 27.60, ahead of Sonny McGovern and Parc Giggles, fractions behind in 27.77. Harvey Oscar Foley put in a gallant attempt aboard Back In a Flash, clocking 28.35 for fifth. The Carlow rider also took sixth place with The Silver Legend when he stopped the clock in 30.06.

In the 128cm 1m, Georgia de Bromhead recorded her first win of the series with the Foley Ponies-owned The Silver Legend when she galloped home, clear in 32.30. Alayna Hawkins and Carraghy Apollo took the runner-up spot when they stopped the clock in 32.83, ahead of Lucia Keane and Ravara Mohawk (36.41).

A clear from Jack Dore and Woodside Jerry-Lee in 37.56 saw them take fourth place while Caoimhe Murphy and The Nut Cracker finished in fifth, when they kept all the poles in place in 38.37. Jack Dore picked up another share of the prize fund when he came home clear in 40.75 aboard with Kilcreene Basil for sixth place.

One to watch

Charlie Flynn is proving to be a real contender in this series and he added another victory to his record sheet when he partnered Harefield Diego to a clear in 32.41 in the 138cms 1.10m.

Following a win in this section at Ard Chuain, Elizabeth McCracken also added to her record sheet as she took second place with Tynan Rocket, clear in 33.19. Slotting into third place was Isolde Jane Tivy and Knocknahorgan Velvet, clear in 34.28. Ruben Foley was back in the ribbons for another week, this time claiming fourth with Sparkling Boomastasia, clear in 34.77. Elizabeth McCracken returned to take fifth place with Drumcaughey Diamond, clear in 35.58, while Cameron Kelly and Bishopscourt Lad completed the top six line-up, with a clear in 36.27.

Josh Fitzgerald and Piltown Dapper, winners of the 128 U-10s Equijump Spring Tour at Maryville Stables \ Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media.com

Wins for Maher and Sheehan

In the 148cm 1.20m division, 26 went to post and from those, five delivered double clears in a seven-way jump-off. Leading the victory lap was Holly Maher and Boulabeha’s Little Princess, clear in 31.93. Kate Lynch was her closest challenger when she delivered a clear in 34.22 with Lahorna You Two for second place. Ciara O’Connor and Hannah’s Only Dun took third, clear in 37.01, ahead of Niamh Staunton and Ballyfore Rosie (37.43).

Charlie Weldon and Ballinamurra Josh took fifth place, when last of the double clears in 41.10. Meg Twomey and Cillian’s Canal completed the top six when she was fastest of the four-faulters in 35.23.

It was a worthwhile journey from Kilkenny for Robbie Sheehan as he took the win in the Children on Horses 1.10m when fastest of just two double clears with Ahare Olympic Flemmencio in 32.68. Lily Slattery and Captain Candy Man delivered the other double clear in 38.90 for second. Grace Maher put more points on the board with Lates Sparkey, when she was fastest of the four-faulters in 40.74, ahead of Jackson Brosnan and Bitcoin who also had one on the ground in 34.49.

Maryville round

Last Sunday the series moved to Maryville Stables in Co Cork, where once again the classes proved hard fought. In the 128cm under 10s, 12 of the 29 starters delivered double clear rounds to share the win.

It was another good day at the office for Alayna Hawkins as she took the win with Carraghy Apollo in the 128cm 1m class. The Galway rider was the fastest of 12 double clears from a field of 31 starters, in a time of 29.19 seconds.

Charlie Flynn added to his haul here as he took the runner-up place with Penchwintan Glynle when clocking 29.30 and third with I’m a Starboy (29.62). Lucy Kent and Hollycreek Oran Splendour wasted no time in 29.78 for eventual fourth, ahead of Hawkins, this time riding Ballynacregga Red (30.16). Katelyn Horgan’s clear in 32.39 aboard Hilin Ravel saw her take sixth place.

In the 138cm 1.10m division, just two double clears were delivered from a starting field of 14. For the second time over the course of the weekend, Charlie Flynn led the victory lap with Knud van Orchid’s, in a time of 31.29.

The second clear was delivered by Millie Jeffers and Ballywire Mirah in 49.10. Elizabeth McCracken continued her good show of form, taking third with Tynan Rocket, posting four faults in 32.31 and fourth with Drumcaughey Diamond, (four faults in 48.28).

Flynn took another place in the line-up, taking fifth with Harefield Diego when he had two down in 39 seconds. Mia de Bromhead and Jalisco T also had two on the floor in a time of 45.75 for sixth.

Alayna Hawkins and Carraghy Apollo, winners of the 128 1m Equijump Spring Tour at Maryville Stables \ Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media.com

Win for Fitzgerald

In the 148cm 1.20m section, five of the 10 combinations that booked their place in the jump-off delivered double clears. Claiming victory on this occasion was Mary Fitzgerald and Danubertha after they galloped home in 31.22. Taking the runner-up spot was Kate Lynch and Lahorna You Two, in a time of 31.37, ahead of Bríd Ryan and Alice Cruise Royale, who was just over a second slower in 32.49.

Charlie Weldon returned to the line-up, this time taking fourth with CQS Inittowinit, clear in 34.57 and fifth with Ballinamurra Josh in 36.21. Jack Kent posted a very fast time with HKS Salome clocking 31.42, but four faults saw him take sixth.

There was just one double clear round in the Children on Horses 1.10m to claim victory and that came courtesy of Sam Widger and Grantstown Charmer in a time of 25.92.