MAX Foley put another win on the board in the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour last Sunday at Barnadown. Riding the Hugh McOwan-owned Illusion De Hus, he lodged the fastest of 11 double clears in 34.69. This is the second win in the series for this pairing, having claimed victory in the round in Warrington.

Speaking after the win, Foley said: “It was great to put another win on the board with this mare, ahead of the show in Millstreet. Her owners, the McOwans, were there to watch her win, which was great. They are great supporters of show jumping and no doubt this mare will bring them plenty more wins, as she is just improving each week. She is a mare with lots of scope and heart.”

Regarding the course, he added: “I was third to go in the jump-off and I knew that there were very fast combinations to follow. I knew that I had to set sail as I did and that the mare could answer the questions. It was a big class, and it was the biggest course so far. I was quick all the way around, but the turn back to the double was where I made up the time. That was the hardest line of the jump-off, but the mare handled it really well.”

The French-bred eight-year-old mare is 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 that finished second in the 1.10m/1.15m in the qualifier at the Dublin Horse Show and second in the championship.

There was another good turnout for the Aloga-sponsored class with 64 going to post and, of those, 22 booked their place against the clock.

Joining his brother in the line-up was Jason Foley, as he galloped home in a time of 35.77 aboard Chedington Fixit. Owned by Knockeen Racing Ltd, this 11-year-old French-bred gelding is by Diamant de Semilly and out of Pinochetta.

Alex Finney also put more points on the board, when she guided MHS Style to a clear in 35.88. Bred by the late Ita Brennan, this 11-year-old mare is by Kannan and is out of the Guidam-sired dam, MHS Lady Guidam. This combination has proved successful in this series, taking the win in the round in Kernan’s.

Placed third in the round in Maryville, young rider Daisy McNamara and Caspetito Z was back in the line-up when she was less than a second behind, clocking 36.22 for eventual fourth place. Owned by Martha McNamara and bred by Bart Vanlommel, the Zangersheide gelding is by Cassio Vh Sonnishof and out of the Hors La Loi II-sired dam, Zaire.

Following a successful trip away, Emily Moloney put in a great performance with Clovalent, crossing the line in 37.03 for fifth place. This combination also finished fifth in their home venue in Warrington. The 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.

Junior rider Jack Kent and the eight-year-old Chevrolet Van Paemel Z rounded off the top six, with a clear in 37.28. Owned by KM Sport Horses, this gelding is by Cicero Z and is out of the Chin Chin-sired dam, Berlonie K. The combination finished fourth in the round in Wexford and was just outside the top six placings in the round in Tipperary, having delivered a double clear.

McEntee wins the 1.30m

Winners of the 1.30m class were Emma McEntee and Hobalo, when they put in a foot-perfect performance in the two-phase class in a time of 34.06. Their closest rival was junior rider Bríd Ryan and HSC Glenvarna, when they were fractions behind in a time of 34.19. This seven-year-old won the Hibernia Young Horse section of the class.

Ryan also took fourth place with Ne Touche Pas Van De Rostal, with a clear in 36.15. Sven Hadley divided Ryan’s placings as he delivered a clear with John Deegan’s Machnus Lux in 34.40.

Fifth place belonged to Sarah Curry and Kahneman M2S, when clear in 38.35. Slotting into sixth place were Billy Sinnott and Fastlove, coming home with nothing to add in 39.37.