On Friday, Galway’s Sven Hadley got his show off to a great start as he took the win in the first class, the Carl Webb-sponsored 1.20m Two-Phase Special. Hadley, who is a master tactician, partnered Maximum Numero Too HSH to a double clear in 26.41.

Bred by Eamonn McArdle, this gelding is by Aganix Du Seigneur and is out of the Numero Uno-sired dam, Couple of Diamonds. This combination recently won the TRM Showjumpers Spring Tour League. Following a great show at Balmoral, Max Foley was back in the winnings, taking second place with HHS Verona when he kept all the poles in place in 27.20.

Third place belonged to Zaid Ali Raad and D’Extase DH Z, when they came home in a time of 28.49. Following closely behind was Nicola Fitzgibbon and Vigo’s Vanity Ter Sarren Z with a clear in 28.77. Over a second slower in a time of 28.93 was Caitilin Taggart and Palm Springs in 28.93. Completing the top six was Emily Moloney and Taxi Van Stestavi with a clear in 30.04.

Hadley also came out on top in the next class, the Duffy’s 1.25m Two-Phase Special. This time riding HSH Harper du Seigneur, he galloped home in 29.81. This pairing recently won the 1.20m in Garranemore. A 12-year-old stallion, he is by Aganix Du Seigneur and out of the Chippison-sired dam, Covers Chip.

Hadley was chased home by Wexford rider Isabelle Boland and MBF Maxwill, who delivered a clear in 30.46. Dylan Ward and Aganix de La Mer wasted no time and almost caught Boland, delivering a clear in 30.56. Fourth place was filled by Jodie Creighton and Smalltown Boy IV with a clear in 30.77. Australian rider Madeline Sinderberry and Magnifique took fifth, with a clear in 30.89, while in sixth was Catherine O’Connor and Jolita L, clear in 31.41.

Leaderboard

Winner of the Sentower Park 1.30m Two-Phase Special was John Mulligan and Kathleens Candy Clover, when they were fastest of 23 clears in 39.97. Bred by Kathleen O’Reilly, the 10-year-old gelding is by Sligo Candy Boy and out of Green Road Tulip.

Sven Hadley added more rider points to the leaderboard, when he claimed the runner-up spot with Caethe 7 with a clear in 41.14. Shane Dalton and ESI Alexander took third, when they kept all the poles in place in 41.35. Zaid Ali Raad was also back in the ribbons, taking fourth with Flygold, clear in 41.92.

A familiar face in the winner’s enclosure in Mullingar, Robert Harrison and CES Wicked Contender took fifth with a clear in 42.24. Rounding off the top six was Frank Curran and Leestone Zaire, in a time of 44.57.

Cavan’s Camryn Clarke took the final win of the day in the Derryglen 1.40m Two-Phase. A strong field of 46 went to post and half of those delivered clear rounds. Clarke, who was riding Conto de Reve, left nothing to spare as he came home in 29.94.

Owned by Victoria Clarke, the 12-year-old gelding is by Hermes De Reve and out of the Conto-sired dam, Odessa IV. Clarke’s closest rival was Sean Monaghan and Chef Of Flanders Fields Z, who crossed the line in 30.64. Little separated the next placing as Mischa Lennon and Anthem In My Heart came home in 32.06.

Fractions of a second divided the next placing, as Darragh Ryan and Lady Blue du Pont Letot came home in a time of 32.15. Ryan was chased by Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lui, who crossed the line in 32.51 for fifth.

Completing the top six was Robert Splaine and Coolcorron Lachlan, clear in 33.27.