YOUNG riders are certainly proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the TRM Spring Tour, as James Brennan rode to victory at Emerald last Sunday. Riding Sinead Brennan’s MHS Zenyatta, they lodged the winning clear round in 31.59 seconds.

Sponsored by Paul Curtis Show jumping and Paddy Connolly 4x4, a total of 28 combinations went to post and, from those, 18 delivered double clears in what was a 1.35m two-phase class.

Adding to his leaderboard tally was Sven Hadley, as he partnered Maximum Numero Too HSH to a clear in 32.17 for second place. This combination is proving very consistent in the league, taking runner-up spot the day before at the round in Sceilig, second the week before in Wexford, fourth in Cavan and third in JAG. Bred by Eamon McArdle, this gelding is by Aganix Du Seigneur and is out of the Numero Uno-sired dam, Couple of Diamonds.

Less than half a second separated the next placing as Nicola Fitzgibbon and Gracefield Apollo stopped the clock in 32.41 for third. Owned by Langaran Ventures and bred by Barry McCann, the nine-year-old gelding is by Luidam and is out of the Coriall-sired dam, Rebecca. This is the third good placing for this combination in the league, having claimed fourth in the opening round in JAG and sixth in the round in Cavan.

Accounting for eventual fourth was Kate Derwin and Hector De Kezeg, when they galloped home in a time of 32.17. Owned by Susan Fitzpatrick, the nine-year-old French-bred stallion is by Diamant De Semilly and out of Vas Y Donc Longane.

Sven Hadley took another share of the prize fund, when he came home in a time of 33.18 aboard Lackaghmore Zirocco for fifth place and, not content with two placings, he completed the line-up when he slotted into sixth with HSH Harper Du Seigneur, stopping the clock in 34.01. This 12-year-old stallion is owned by Hadley and is by Aganix Du Seigneur out of the Chippison-sired dam, Covers Chip.

Hadley tops the standings

The 1.25m class, which included the Hibernia Sport Horse League, was sponsored by Mon Jump and saw 60 combinations battle it out. Sven Hadley took this win, when he partnered HSH Harper Du Seigneur to a clear in 60.64. Second place belonged to John Murray and Bukhara Cruise, when clear in 65.53, ahead of Paul Murphy and Matallic Key Sr, clear in 69.28. Accounting for fourth place was Robyn O’Donoghue and Ba Ba Chino, clear in 69.78, while in fifth was Kerie Curtis and Painrich, clear in 70.66. Completing the line-up was Jack O’Shaughnessy and Kumera BW, clear in 70.92.

Winner of the Leinster Windscreens 1.15m class was Children on Horses rider, Ellie Sheane and Monbeg Hendricks, clear in 35.48. Little separated the next placing as Julie O’Sullivan Gallagher and Lux Lyk Foxrock, came home clear in 35.89 for second. Slotting into third was Ellen Henny and Mighty Bon Bon, clear in 36.64. Ellie Sheane returned to take fourth with Dassett Cooley Candy, clear in 36.97, while in fifth was Siobhan Doyle and Balief Capri. Balief Capri was the highest placed eight-year-old of the class. Rounding off the top six was Jim Donohoe and Cushlas Du Mondale, clear in 37.44.

In the 1.05m, which included the five-year-old Hibernia Sport Horse league and was sponsored by Leinster Windscreens, a total of 64 combinations battled it out. Leading this victory lap was amateur rider Lisa Doyle and the ever-reliable Ballinaguilkey Dignified, with a clear in 33.81. Not content with the win, she also took third with the five-year-old Ballinaguilkey Zorro, clear in 39.24. Separating her placings was young rider Ruairi O’Neill and Move-Star, clear in 35.98. Fourth place belonged to Julie Kavanagh and Kwe Hermes Calover, who put in a fault-free round in 39.65.

It was a good day for the Ballinaguilkey home-bred’s as Lisa’s sister, Tracy Nolan, and Ballinaguilkey Diva took fifth, when clear in 40.59. Slotting into sixth was Cici Murray and Digitals Lvp, clear in 41.46.