WITH the sun splitting the skies last Saturday, Inistioge in Co Kilkenny attracted good numbers between pony and horse classes.

The feature class of the day, the €5,000 1.35m Karlswood Leinster Summer Tour, sponsored by Jack Ryan, attracted a competitive field of 35 combinations. Nine produced faultless double-clear performances in a fiercely-contested jump-off. Notably, five of the six highest-placed finishers were horses aged seven or younger, underlining the depth of emerging talent and the bright future of Ireland’s next generation of show jumping stars.

Taking the win was Harry Wood aboard the eight-year-old, Sammy Van T’Holeinde, when they came home in 37.57. Owned by Ronnoco Jump ULC, this Belgian Warmblood gelding is by Vigo D’Arsouilles and out of a mare by Quite Easy. This combination finished sixth in the Grand Prix in Maryville at the start of the month.

Sponsor Jack Ryan gave it a good try with the Donal and David Lynch-owned Belgian Warmblood seven-year-old, Thera Van Heiste, crossing the line clear in 37.68 for second. This grey mare is by Nevados S and is out of Ishtar Van De Molendreef.

Third place was claimed by Eoghan Fahy and the seven-year-old, Melody, with a clear in 38.13. Owned by Jules Cournane, the mare is by Million Dollar and out of the Clearway-sired dam, W-Ciara.

Jack Ryan took another share of the prize pot when he delivered another clear with DSH Vigo Sea, coming home clear in 38.22. Owned by John Lyng, the seven-year-old is by Vigo D’Arsouilles and is out of the Guidam-sired dam, Urban Sea.

Michael Pender and the six-year-old HHS Bentley took fifth place, when all the poles stayed up in a time of 38.46. Bred by Andries De Bont, this six-year-old gelding is by I’m Special De Muze and is out of the Voltaire-sired dam, Wulffin.

Rounding off the top six was junior rider, Jack Kent and the Castlefield Breeding Farm-owned Olivier. This seven-year-old is by Arezzo VDL and is out of the Amadeus-sired dam, Elektra.

1.20m

Winner of the TBD-sponsored 1.20m section was Mark Cleary, when he partnered Martin Duffy’s six-year-old, Perina to a double clear in 27.67. Amateur rider, Laura Walshe (AA) added points to her tally when she delivered a foot-perfect performance with Ballinaguilkey Heritage to jump clear in 28.61 to slot into second place. Tholm Keane and The Rookie, left all the poles standing in 29 seconds for third. The leading young rider of the class was Ciara Staunton and DNR Ice Crisp, with a clear in 29.98 to share fifth place with Jack Kent, who returned to the line-up with Olivier, jumping clear in exactly the same time.

Junior rider, Ciara Ryan and the six-year-old Isla Flight completed the top six, with a foot-perfect round in 30.50.

1.10m

Leading the victory lap in the Doody family-sponsored 1.10m class was young rider Edie Codd, when she was the fastest of 23 double clears in 30.33 riding HDI Restless, owned by Hannah Wood. Laura Walshe and Ballinaguilkey Heritage took another runner-up placing, coming home in 31.47. Ruairi Aylward and Coppenagh Ozanna took third, when they were fractions behind in 31.72.

The Keane family were also represented in this line-up, with Brona taking fourth place on board Krafty Crackers, crossing the line in 32.74. Hannah McNiven (AA) and Hey You took fifth place, when they stopped the clock in 34.83, while Ciara Ryan and Isla Flight claimed another sixth-place finish, stopping the clock in 35.88.