MULLINGAR Equestrian played host to the penultimate round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour last weekend with large numbers contesting each of the three rounds.

In the 1.35m division, 90 combinations went to post in the two-phase competition and of those, 24 delivered double clears and 15 incurred time faults. Taking the win were Rhys Williams and Conthanja PS when they galloped home in a time of 30.70 seconds.

Owned by Williams Sport Horses, the nine-year-old mare is by Conthargos out of the Grand Step-sired Grand Ronja. This combination has also qualified for the Young Riders in Dublin, having claimed the qualifier at Barnadown.

Only a split second separated the next placing as Nicole Kershaw clocked 30.98 with Clovalent to take the runner-up spot. 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.

Kenneth Graham also has a win in mind as he partnered Beir Bua to a clear in 31.12. Owned by Graham, the 12-year-old mare was bred by the late Harold McGahern and is by Lancetol out of Rincoola Bua. Graham has produced this mare from the age of four.

A clear in 31.98 for Cian Harrision and Tabby in 31.98 saw him slot into fourth. Owned by Harrision, Tabby, is a 17-year- old gelding, bred by Pam Donaghy, and is by Captain Clover out of Majestic Cruise.

Fifth place belonged Vincent Byrne and the eight-year-old, Jackson Vive, clear in 33.38. Owned by Kayleigh Soden, the gelding is by Cardento out of Zinfandel. This combination finished third in the round at Coilog.

Gerard Clarke completed the top six when he delivered a clear with Lupins Lux Z in 33.94. Owned by Patrick and Clare Sutton, the 12-year-old gelding is by Lux Z out of the Cruising-sired Thornfield Lupin.

The 1.20m saw 62 combinations battle it out and 31 of those delivered double clears. Taking the win was junior rider Fionnghuala Benson and Chatsworth Danielle, clear in 29.24. Fellow junior rider, Emily Moloney took the runner-up spot with Capitol Crusi when she clocked 31.98, ahead of Joyce Veld and Luxtapose, in 32.94. Young rider Shauna Heslin answered all the questions with the six-year-old MC Crosskeys in 33.68 for eventual fourth, while slotting into fifth was Olive Clarke and Solsboro BHF Bomban, clear in 34.09.

McDermott does it again

Winner of the 1.10m class was Aileen McDermott and the consistent Amber Balou when they came home with nothing to add in 23.58. This combination currently occupy top place in this division.

Fionnghuala Benson and Chatsworth Danielle were back in the ribbons, this time taking second place when clear in 24.99. Also returning to the line-up was Emily Moloney who partnered the six-year-old Jay Pleasure to a clear in 27.48. Slotting into fourth place was Jamie Landers and Genesis, clear in 27.90, ahead of Aedi McCaughey and Hariness, clear in 28.72. Amateur rider Lauryn Power slotted into sixth place when she partnered Brookpark Vito to a clear in 28.92.