FOR those riders chasing points in the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour, Adamstown show in Enniscorthy last Saturday was the place to go as it hosted the fifth round of the tour.

Victory in the M&T Plant Hire 1.35m Grand Prix, went to Kilkenny rider Jack Ryan. Riding Moneybroom Dancer, he was the fastest of seven double clears in 34.15. Ryan also picked up the Leading Young Rider prize. National Young Rider Champion, Ryan is no stranger to success in this league, having last year claimed the final round at the Irish Breeders Classic.

It was a good outing for Vincent Byrne as the took the next three placings. He delivered his best result with the ever reliable Mr Rockefeller when clocking 34.39. Riding two new mounts, Peig Van Amerongen’s Floyd O and his own Gurtera Cara Dubh, he clocked the same time of 34.98, for third.

Delighted with the result, Vincent Byrne said: “It was a really good show for us and I was particularly happy with the new horses. I competed at the show as a child but it was my first time there with horses. It was a great day and the show put in so much work to keep the ground right for jumping. They were so positive about how they are going to build on the show and the organisers just had a great attitude.” Declan McEvoy and BLM Cosmopolitan Dandy, opted for longer lines, and a clear in 37.50 saw him take fifth. McEvoy, also took the leading Pro Am prize of the round. David Costello and Vieri, completed the top-six line-up when going clear in 38.52.

1.20m

Leading the victory lap in the Nitrofert 1.20m was Vincent Byrne and LVS Shelby. Byrne was the only rider that delivered a double clear within the 30-second mark (29.97). Local rider Patrick Byrne and Whispering Lux delivered a double clear in 32.54 for second. Byrne’s younger brother Wesley took third when he crossed the line in 32.80 aboard Sambuca Paris Diamond. Mark O’Sullivan and My Candy accounted for fourth when double clear in 35.50. Declan McEvoy was back in the ribbons, claiming fifth with BLM Cosmopolitan Dandy, clear in 36.05. Opting on the side of caution paid off for Jason Higgins, as he delivered a clear with Seeking Fortune in 40.23, for sixth.

1.10m

Carlow rider Tracy Walshe came out on top in the Cooney Furlong 1.10m when she was fastest of the double clears in 26.18. Little separated the next placing as Sara Gorman and Take A Gamble clocked 26.67 for second. This partnership also took second in the round at Ballivor and has qualified for the amateur division in the RDS. Marie Hartley and Kilpatrick Fred kept everything in place when clocking 28.05 for third ahead of Sean Kavanagh and Carraigh Samraigh, in 28.32. Wexford rider Ciaran Moran and Ahare Olympic Flemmencio’s double clear in 29.65, secured him fifth, while sixth place belonged to Declan McEvoy and Kilmullen Coole Concorde, clear in 30.04.