THE CWD Pony Spring Tour got off to a flying start as pony riders flocked to Portmore Equestrian to contest the first round of the popular series. The CWD Spring Tour consists of six legs, five of which are viewing classes for Fontainebleau. Sponsored by CWD for the third year, the series attracted its usual good following with 54 declared for the 128cms section, 57 for the 138cms and 90 for the 148cms.

On hand to present the prizes, sponsor Reece St John of CWD, said: “It was great to see so many riders out. I think we can safely say that this is the greatest number of entries for the first round since CWD started to sponsor the tour. All divisions proved very competitive and if the standard continues to improve, we will have very strong pony riders for the remainder of the season.”

128cms

Having finished 2016 on a high note, the RDS 128cms champion Tom Wachman kicked-off his season on a similar vein as he led the victory lap in the 128cms division. Riding Little Jack Spratt, he was almost two seconds faster than his closest rival when delivering a clear in 31.83 seconds. Coen Williams also kept everything in place with Lakefield Stormy in a time of 33.67 for second place. It was a good day for Annie Gibson who took third place with Tullibards Highly Unlikely when they crossed the line clear in 33.85. The Co Down rider also accounted for fifth place with Lisboy Black Magic, when clear in 34.43. Matthew Conlon and The Silver Legend divided Gibson’s places when they galloped with nothing to add in 34.43 seconds for eventual fourth. In sixth place was Eoin Brennan riding Ashsars Miami Bound, clear in 34.65 seconds.

138cms

The Derwin family have always featured strongly in the Spring Tour and this year is looking good the same for the family as Francis Derwin Jnr took the 138cms section. Last year, Derwin and & Essenar Jinja Ninja won the 128cms league and were also crowned 128cms Pony Premier Champions.

This time, riding Ruby Brown, he delivered the fastest double clear in 34.15 seconds to claim the opening round. Derwin was chased home by another familiar partnership, Alex Finney and Keogans Boy, who stopped the clock in 35.47 seconds to fill the runners-up spot. Niamh McEvoy filled the next two places when she partnered Glenford Clausa to a clear in 35.67 for third and Riot Del Pegulil to a clear in 35.71 for eventual fourth. Tom Wachman was back in the ribbons, this time taking fifth place with Fountain Ranger when clear in 36.15. John McEntee and Hubba Bubba completed the top six line-up when they recorded a clear in 36.84.

148cms

The Derwin family made their presence known in the 148cms division as Kate took the first two places when she was the only rider in the timed round to remain within the 35-second zone.

The previous league winner took the class when she lodged the winning round with Master Stevie G, clear in 31.99. Not content with the win, she partnered CUL Ban Mistress to a clear in 33.64 for second place. Jack Mckeown opted for a safer approach with Oona Phantom and it paid off as he crossed the line clear in 40.67 for third. A familiar face on the circuit, Ciaran Nallon accounted for eventual fourth when he crossed the line clear in 41.66 seconds aboard Lislan Picola. Cora Sharkey accounted for the next two placings when she was fastest of the four faulters with Whos Arco in 35.20. She also incurred four faults with her second mount, Midnight Sky, in 36.88 for sixth place.

Children On Horses

In the Children on Horses Spring Tour, just six combinations declared and of these, three delivered double clears to share the win. Those sharing the win was Orla Duffy and Hard To Beat, Brian Kuehnle and Deita de la Bouverie and Natasha Kerr riding Chekane.