ALL roads led to Banner Equestrian in Co Clare recently for the start of the Ballinroe Pony and COH Premier Series. Following a very competitive Spring Tour, pony riders proved they were well up for the challenge.

Winner of the 128 U10 was Connaught rider Sonny McGovern and Parc Giggles when they were fastest of 12 double clears in 25.05 seconds. Following a great spring tour, Harvey Oscar Foley and Back In a Flash returned to take the runner-up spot, clear in 26.30.

Foley was chased home by Tim Hawkins and O’B Poppet, clocking 26.39. Alice Steel and A Little Fairplay accounted for fourth place when they came home in a time of 27.53. Tim Hawkins took another place in the line-up, this time with Whistletown Blue Belle after clocking 27.69. Completing the top six was Caitie McEvoy and Tynan Petal when they galloped home (28.07)

Georgia triumphs

Georgia de Bromhead led the victory lap in the 128/1.05m division with the very experienced The Silver Legend when fastest of just four double clears in 30.64. Little stood between the next placing as Kildare’s Max Galway and Brandon Reepicheep clocked 30.72. Another prolific winner Jack Dore and Kilcreene came home with nothing to add in 30.79 for third place.

Sarah Egan and DHS Summer were last of the double clears in 36.96 for eventual fourth place. Colum Widger delivered the fastest round, clocking 28.87 aboard Creevelea Fire Fox, but four faults would see him slot into fifth place. Georgia de Bromhead also finished in sixth place with Back In a Flash when picking up four faults in 30.34.

Flynn wins again

Following a great performance in the Equijump Ltd Pony Spring Tour, Charlie Flynn’s good form continued as he took the 138cms win here with Knud van Orchid, clear in 28.11. RDS champion Ruben Foley took the runner-up spot with Mayfly Green Peter, clear in 29.36.

Johan Fitzpatrick Burns and Sergant Jack answered all the questions in a slower time of 29.56 for third place. Slotting into fourth when going clear in 29.92 was David Egan and Rebel Gealach. Ciann McMunn and ET Hop De Naelle kept all the poles in their cups in a time of 31.36 for fifth place, while in sixth was David Brennan and MHS Alaska who also came home clear in 32.75.

Dooley lands victory

The 148cm division attracted the largest following with 44 combinations going to post. Claiming the win was Gary Dooley and Luitta, clear in 32.87. Alexandra Kiernan and Sweet Renees Girl came closet to catching the winner, delivering a clear in 33.32. The last of the double clears was delivered by Olivia Nell and Clinton Class in a time of 37.03 for third. Lilly Tunney and Fireman finished with one time fault, clocking 35.02 for fourth place, ahead of Paddy Reape and Fernando, who also had one time fault in 35.62 for fifth place. Completing the top six was Cameron Kelly and RDJW Merclov who also incurred a single time fault (35.95).

COH division

Cian McMunn and Captain Marko emerged as the winners in the Children on Horses division when they were fastest of five double clears in 28.50. Robbie Sheehan and Ahare Olympic Flemmencio were just over a second slower clocking 29.40 for second. Brona Keane and Quality Diamond took third place when she crossed the line in 30.24, ahead of Molly Gleeson and CHF Gem Leaf in 34.45.

Last of the double clears and slotting into fifth was Lily Slattery and Captain Candy Man, while in sixth place was Sam Widger and Grantstown Charmer with fourth faults in 28.64.