ENGLISH rider Annabel Shields put another win on the board of the TRM Show Jumpers’ Club Spring Tour last Saturday, as she rode to victory in Wexford Equestrian. Riding Creevagh Carisma, she lodged the winning round of clear in 34.25 seconds in the K & K Windows-sponsored class. This combination opened the tour with a win in Jag Equestrian. She also finished fourth in the round at Broadmeadows with Lapstan.

Owned by Shields and bred by the late Ronnie Hollinger, Creevagh Carisma is a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Camiro De Haar Z and out of Creevagh Duca Di Clover. This combination has no shortage of experience and ended the 2023 season with a series of good results claiming second place in the 1.45m Grand Prix in Lier CSI2*, a win in a 1.40m class in Dunkerque CSI2* and second place in a 1.50m in Opglabeek CSI3*.

Speaking after the win, Shields said: “It was great to put another win on the board in this league. I was first to go, so I knew that there was no time to hang around, as there were fast combinations to follow. We all really took the same lines, but I had the advantage of a big striding horse. It was a very nice course and Wexford Equestrian put on a very good show.

“The plan is to take in another few rounds of the tour. I have 20 horses at home, so I may choose to leave a few horses with Sven (Hadley) and commute back and forth,” she added.

There was another good turnout for this fourth leg, with 26 going to post. Of those, seven booked their place against the clock. A further five were denied their place in the timed round, due to time penalties.

Sven Hadley was back in the ribbons, having claimed fifth place in the round at Cavan. This time riding Sumas Taloubet, he chased Shields home and delivered a clear in a time of 34.90 for second place. This 19-year-old gelding has been a loyal servant for Hadley, with a host of wins at home and abroad and, on his Irish record, he has over 700 jumping points. Bred by Suma Stud, he is by Taloubet Vdl and out of the Pride Of Shaunlara-sired dam, It’s An Ology.

Cathal Daniels accounted for third place with Cappog Tomy, answering all the questions in a time of 35.76. The 13-year-old gelding was bred by Tommy Reilly and is by Camiro De Haar Z and out of the S Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe- sired dam, Cornacassa Ferro.

Slotting into fourth place was Deirdre Doyle and the eight-year-old Kancruise, when they crossed the line with nothing to add in 40.12. Owned by Doyle and bred by Tom Doyle, the mare is by Kannan and out of the Cruising-sired dam, Done Cruising. The combination got their season off to a good start, taking second place in the 1.30m in Cavan the week prior. The mare has been produced by Doyle through the ranks with much success.

Nicholas Connors delivered the last of the double clear rounds with Fornett D’Emeraude in a time of 42.32 for fifth place. Owned by Ann Connors, the nine-year-old gelding is by Cornet Obolensky and is out of the L’Arc de Triomphe-sired dam, Tapass. This combination has jumped up to Premier Series level on home soil.

Not content with the runner-up spot, Hadley returned to take sixth place with Holmoak Koln, when he finished as the fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 35.41. Owned by Hadley Sport Horses, this German bred 14-year-old gelding is by Clinton and is out of the Calido-sired dam, Calido Girl. He was previously campaigned by Anthony O’Reagan up to 1.45m level. Hadley began campaigning him this year, taking in his first show at Jag Equestrian.

1.20m

Hadley made no mistake in the Sophie Richards-sponsored 1.25m (inc Hibernian seven-year-old). Riding Sumas Taloubet, he was fastest of 17 double clears when coming home in 32.96 seconds. The tables were turned in these results, as Annabel Shields and the seven-year-old B.E Flygold came home in a time of 34.69 for second place. Deirdre Doyle was also back in the ribbons, as she partnered Kancruise to a clear in 34.92. Ciaran Moran, who was riding the seven-year-old Greenhall Mullord crossed the line in 35.46 for eventual fourth. Fifth place belonged to Jim Donohoe and the eight-year-old Constantinople, in a time of 35.67, ahead of Gemma Phelan and Beechfields Billy Barnwell, in a time of 37.78.

1.15m

A total of 45 combinations contested the Higgins Sport Horses-sponsored 1.15m class (inc Hibernian six-year-old qualifier). Leading the victory lap was junior rider Cian Byrne and Ciao Bella, when clear in 32.72 seconds. It was a good outing for Hadley, as he took the runner-up spot with Manorview Lady Jane 17, when he put in a fault-free performance in a time of 35.01. Amateur rider Kyle McLaughlin [AA] accounted for third place when clear in 36.94 aboard Cantara 115. Gemma Whelan accounted for the next two placings, delivering her best results with the six-year-old, Gildawn Gigi, clear in 38.98 for eventual fourth place. She then claimed fifth place with the seven-year-old Vicarstown, clear in 41.31. A clear from Paddy O’Donnell and the seven-year-old Castleconnell Candy Man in 42.41 saw him complete the top six.

1.05m

Taking the win in the MBF 1.05m class (inc Hibernian five-year-old qualifier) was junior rider Johnnie Sheppard and Galtee Shadow, when he came home with nothing to add in a time of 33.34. Sven Hadley also featured in this lineup, taking the runner-up spot with his own six-year-old, Maximum Numero Too HSH, clear in 36.84. A clear from Paul Sarsfield and Drumgoole Lass (seven-year-old) in 36.91 saw them take third, while in fourth place was junior rider Caoimhe Spacey and the six-year-old Ringwood Patience, clear in 37.73. Cian Byrne also collected in this class, taking fifth place with Ciao Bella, when clear in 38.50, while in sixth place was Tracy Nolan and Ballinaguilkey Heritage, clear in 39.32.