INTERNATIONAL classes resumed last Friday at Mullingar Equestrian Centre for the second week of the CSI2* tour in what was a very successful show. After two weeks of top-level competition, it was no surprise to see Sven Hadley emerge as the leading rider of the event.

Galway-based Hadley continued his winning streak as he kicked off the second week with a win in the 1.20m Speed class. A strong field of 65 lined out and from those 36 delivered clear rounds. Hadley claimed victory aboard HSH Harper du Seigneur (Aganix du Seigneur x Chippison) when he galloped home in a time of 56.23.

Dylan Ward was just over a second behind with Kruser Dhh clear in 57.24. Not content with the win, Hadley returned to take third place with Uidam, when he clocked 57.54. Accounting for fourth place was Niamh Devlin and Hhs Toronto in a time of 59.37. Emily Moloney slotted into fifth with Cruising On The Ridge when they stopped the clock in 60.51. Rounding up the top six was Sam Widger and Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z in time of 61.62.

Speaking after the show concluded, Hadley said: “I am delighted with the horses. It’s a show we like to do well at; there is good prize money here and it’s a fantastic venue. I am in a good position; I have good horses who are fast and careful and allow me to take risks.

“We will try and follow the money now… go to Bolesworth International, Millstreet and Dublin,” he added after qualifying when joint-winner of the Puissance on Saturday evening at the venue.

Aisling Byrne 1.40m Speed

The second international class of the day, the Aisling Byrne-sponsored 1.40m also acted as the Grand Prix qualifier and saw a big field of 90 combinations line out. The win stayed local as Francis Derwin Jnr led the victory lap with Parvati AEG (Arezzo VDL X Darco) when he came home in a time of 59.62. Derwin’s show was to come to an abrupt end on Saturday when a kick in the warm arena left him with a broken leg and he had surgery over the weekend.

The standard was high with 32 combinations keeping a clean sheet in the class. Jonathan Smyth remained within the 60 second barrier, coming home clear in 59.85 seconds aboard Mulvin Lights Out for second place. A clear from Britain’s Harry Wood and Casino’s Boom in 60.18 saw them take third place.

Robin Carey has been in form of late and he added to his record as he claimed fourth place with Luicruz when they delivered a clear in 60.42. John Mulligan and Kathleen’s Candy Clover slotted into fifth when they stopped the clock in 62.17. Little separated the next placing as Lee Carey and Luxity were fractions behind in 62.19.