JACK Ryan left his domination in no doubt when he won last Sunday’s 1.35m TRM Show jumpers Club Spring Tour Grand Prix in Cavan by a margin of over two seconds.

Riding Northlawn Farm Ltd’s Danish-bred Calgrafi Dwb, an 11-year-old mare by Bogegardens Grafs Stakkato out of Caleo, which was bred by Swedish Olympian Peder Frederiksen, the Rolex Young Rider Academy graduate was one of just 13 riders to produce a clear first round to progress to the timed decider.

Speaking after his win, Ryan told The Irish Field: “She is Danish, I probably have her about a year and a half now. She’s been quite good; she has won a few classes already. She learned a lot in Arezzo last year and came back and was clear in the two-star Grand Prix in Balmoral.

“I’m based at home now [having spent time training with Shane Breen in the UK, and Jos Lansink as part of the Young Rider Academy] and currently have two for the bigger classes; Calgrafi Dwb and DHS Lucky Junior, a 10-year-old that won a four-star Grand Prix in Arezzo last year. I’m bringing both of them back to Arezzo for the next two weeks.”

DHS Lucky Junior (BBS McGregor x Luidam) was bred and is owned by Jack’s uncle Seamus Drea and is by BBS McGregor. Jack competed with BBS McGregor, most notably in the FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona in 2022.

He was bred by Jack’s mother Marguerite before being sold and competing in the Paris Olympics for Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (UAE).

In addition, Jack is also kept busy with several young horses, including the five-year-olds Educated Guess LR (Comme Il Faut x Echo Van’t Spieveld), DHF Samson (SHS Soco Blue x Cornet Obolensky) bred by Dr Ronan Tynan, the Dutch-bred Royslcinthe Jd (Zirocco Blue VDL x Mr Blue), the stallion Renaissance FZ (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro) and Rooney (Aganix Du Seigneur x Ogano Sitte), the six-year-old Galwaybay Jim (Catoki x Kannan) bred by Justin Burke and the seven-year-old French-bred J Arrive De Ponthual (Dollar DU Rouet x Le Tot De Semilly), most of whom he will aim at the young horse qualifiers this year.

Natural speed

“I will try to get to a few international shows this summer, as well as doing the national circuit. I think in the jump-off on Sunday, I was able to turn tight everywhere. She’s naturally very, very fast. She doesn’t spend much time across the jump, her natural speed is probably what won it for us.”

A competitive start list of 51 saw just 11 go forward against the clock, as two combinations, Emma O’Dwyer with Chelone Z and Cathal McMunn with Oberon Van’t Lohof decided to withdraw.

Daisy McNamara was pathfinder aboard her mother Martha’s Belgian-bred gelding Caspetito Z (Cassio Vh Sonnishof x Hors La Loi II). They provided the first double clear in a time of 39.72, which would be good enough for third place.

Sven Hadley was second to go riding his own eight-year-old Eamon McArdle-bred Maximum Numero Too HSH (Aganix Du Seigneur x Numero Uno). They too left all the poles in place in 38.41 to earn the runner-up spot.

Sophie Richards was next with Maurice Cousins’ seven-year-old gelding Kincullia Draco (Greenvale Draco x Mermus R), bred by Andy Griffin. They delivered a fault-free second round in a cautious 41.22, which left them out of the places.

Michael Bibes and his own Cash Z (Carrera VDL x Andiamo Z) had one fence down for four faults, while veteran Robert Splaine riding Sandra Devine’s Dutch-bred Laranco (Bustique x Garanco) joined the list of double clears in 39.88 for fifth place.

Youth riders

Fermoyle Prince (Carmiro De Haar Z x Captain Clover) and junior Senan Reape collected four faults during their attempt, while Jack Ryan and Calgrafi Dwb had no such trouble sailing through the finish in 36.12 and clear to take the lead.

Cavan’s own Jamie Clarke was unlucky to have one fence down in 45.00 with the Dutch-bred Sydney PMD (Quidam Junior x Cumano).

Next to go, young rider Stephen Gibbons and the eight-year-old Ceide Candy Heart (Garryduff Jar Of Hearts x Sligo Candy Boy), bred by Mary Walsh, had a good try, leaving all the fences up but slightly too slow in 42.55.

Damien Griffin guided Siobhan Doyle’s Dante Dv Z (Diamant De Semilly x Lupicor) to a double clear in 39.79, which put them into fourth place, while last to go Sophie Richards and Maurice Cousins’ Monbeg Balou (Balou Du Rouet x Zacharov Tn), bred by Brendan Doyle, was also fault-free but a bit slower for sixth place.

The next round of the TRM/Showjumper Club Spring Grand Prix league takes place tomorrow in Kernan’s Equestrian Centre.