WARRINGTON Topflight Equestrian Centre once again proved a happy hunting ground for Max Foley, who claimed top honours in the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour on Saint Patrick’s Day. It marked the third consecutive year that Foley has secured victory in the Spring Tour at the Kilkenny venue. This time, riding the eight-year-old Illusion De Hus, he took the win when delivering a clear in 33.64 seconds.

Owned by Hugh McOwan, this French-bred mare is well related by Baloubet Du Rouet and out of the Ugobak Des Baleines-sired dam, Duras De Hus. Her owners bought her as a five-year-old from France. Under the command of Foley last year, the pairing won the 1.35m North Star Classic at the Breeders’ Classic and, before this, finished second in the 1.10m/1.15m qualifier at the Dublin Horse Show and second in the Championship. They also won the 1.20m at the National Balmoral Championships and have since delivered results at 1.35m level.

Speaking after the win, Foley said: “I had two in the jump-off, and I was first and last to go, which gave me a slight advantage. I was unlucky with HHS Madonna, as we had one on the ground. When I returned with Illusion De Hus, I knew what I needed to do. She is a super nimble mare, so I knew that I could trust her if I put the pressure on and, thankfully, she answered all the questions.

Delighted

“I am delighted for her owners, the McOwans, who are great supporters of show jumping. Warrington is our local show, so it’s always nice to win here. The Moloney’s put great effort into their shows and the atmosphere is always very welcoming.

“I have only returned from Spain, and I hope to do a few more of the Spring Tours before heading away again. The Spring Tours are great for kicking off the season before the National Grands Prix commence.”

Despite a round of the tour on Saturday in Cavan, this round was, as always, well supported, with 34 taking on the Gueorgui Gueorguiev-designed course. From the original starters, eight booked their place against the clock and, from those, four double clears were delivered.

Less than a second separated the next placing, as Anna Stillwell and her own Sligo Caletto Lady galloped home in a time of 34.30. A 13-year-old mare, Sligo Caletto Lady is by Sligo Candy Boy and out of Calleto Girl. This is the second good result for this pairing, having finished third in the round in Wexford Equestrian.

There was plenty of support for resident rider Linda Moloney, as she partnered Michael Ormond’s seven-year-old Calise Talent to a clear round in 39.82 for third. This mare was bred by Jef Geukens and is by Casall and out of the Kannan-sired dam, On Verra Vant Merelsnest.

There were plenty of riders for spectators to support, as local junior rider Isobel Sheehan, delivered the last clear of the jump-off in a tie of 40.05 aboard Zelda O’Callaghan’s Athea Clover Trend. Bred by John Joe Tierney, the 13-year-old mare is by Future Trend and out of Athea Clover Breeze.

European Champion, Emily Moloney put in very fast round with the Keonan Stables-owned Clovalent, but with one on the ground in a time of 34.83, she had to settle for fifth place. This 12-year-old mare was bred by Mary McCann and goes back to the Cruising line, by Valent and out of the Cruising-sired dam, Cruising May Clover.

Gemma Phelan and the seven-year-old Lance Corporal also had one on the ground, but in a slower time of 37.68 for sixth place. Owned by Beechfield Stables Ltd and Kellistown Stud, this gelding was bred by Louise Thompson and is by Corporal VDL and out of the Jai Ho-sired dam, Lv-Firefly.

First to go against the clock, with the Marion Hughes-owned HHS Madonna, Max Foley proved out of luck with one on the floor in 38 seconds for seventh place. Junior rider Jack Kent finished with a single pole on the ground with the Castlefield Breeding Farm-owned Ikannan V G in 40.89 for eighth place.

1.20m

Sven Hadley was back in the ribbons for another week, claiming victory in the 1.20m class, which included the Hibernian League Qualifier. Riding the eight-year-old Maximum Numero Too HSH, he lodged a double clear in 29.68. The Galway rider also took fourth place with Carthe 7, clear in 32.60. Munster junior rider Bríd Ryan took the runner-up place with HSC Glenvarna, clear in 31.44, ahead of fellow junior rider, Alice Moloney and MHS Jolene, clear in 31.63. Fifth place belonged to Mark Tracy and Beech Hill Tayla Blue, clear in 33.68, ahead of Eddie Moloney and Trulli Sassy Na, clear in 33.72.

1.05m

Amateur rider Marie Hartley (AA) and Nikita Van Het Heidenhof took the win in the 1.05m class, which included a Five-year-old Hibernian League Qualifier, with a clear in 23.94. Paddy O’Donnell partnered Denise Hanrahan’s Midnight Mojito to a clear in 25.39 for second, while in third was Emily Moloney and Taxi Van Stestavi, clear in 26.24. Amateur rider Sarah Kate O’Donovan [AA] and Diamond Infinity took fourth with a clear in 26.78, while in fifth was junior rider Susan Brannigan and Everdeen Waldstar, clear in 27.95. Rounding off the top six, was Eddie Moloney and Alpha SRC, clear in 28.36.