Emer Bermingham

WEXFORD Equestrian Centre proved to be a happy hunting ground for Kilkenny riders last Saturday as they filled four of the top six placings in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour.

Runner-up behind Eddie Moloney and MHS La Scala last year, Vincent Byrne made no mistake on this occasion as he piloted Angela Taggart’s Caugherty to a win in the Menapia Motors-sponsored class.

By Limmerick and out of Tiffcrum Girl, the 14-year-old mare Caugherty is no stranger to this level of competition, having previously been campaigned by Edward Butler up to Premier Series level.

Since moving to Byrne’s stables late last summer, her good form has continued with placings at national and premier series level, including a third place finish in the National Grand Prix at the Meadows and fourth in the Premier Series at Cork.

Speaking after the class, Byrne said: “I am delighted with the win and how both horses jumped. I have been riding Caugherty since July and we gelled pretty quickly. She is a mare with a lot of experience and I knew what she was capable of doing. I took it a bit easier with Guidam Clover as he is still young and learning.”

He added: “I knew once Liam was in the jump-off, it was going to be competitive as he is always quick against the clock. I didn’t get to see him go, but either way I couldn’t hang around and just went for it.

“I always like coming to this show as it has great facilities and the team to a great job here. The plan now is to head to Lanaken and be back for Warrington and the final at Coilog.”

Course designer Tom Holden set the challenge for the 28 listed starters. With riders clearly up to the task, 12 combinations proceed to the time round.

Out of luck

First to go with his own seven-year-old Chucador, Ger O’ Neill was out of luck when he faulted at the third oxer, keeping him out of the top placings.

Double-handed in the jump-off, Vincent Byrne got his first look at the course with Elaine Donoghue’s Guidam Clover. Opting to take a more cautious approach with this eight-year-old gelding paid off as he delivered a clear in 39.86 seconds, which briefly put him in the lead and later secured hi fifth place overall.

Byrne’s lead held only temporarily as, two combinations later, Liam O’ Meara and Mr Coolcaum reduce the target to 35.96.

Kilkenny rider Tholm Keane didn’t hang around with Caroline Teltsch’s Delano W and although their faultless performance failed to demote O’Meara, a fast time in 36.78 saw the combination take eventual third.

There were anxious moments for Keane as Ger O’ Neill took a series of tight turns with Eamonn Murphy’s eight-year-old Indoctro-sired stallion, Dondoctro Ryal K. A clear in 38.19 proved good enough for eventual fourth place.

Second last to go, Vincent Byrne knew the turns to take with Caugherty to reclaim the lead. Setting off strong, his pace matched with a good turn back to the double saw him on target.

This manoeuvre, along with a tight line back to the penultimate vertical to oxer, saw him makeup valuable seconds and record the winning time of 35.45, leaving O’Meara to take the runner-up spot.

Taking a break from her eventing duties, international event rider Sarah Ennis and BLM Diamond Delux recorded a clear round in 41.95 to secure sixth place.

Christopher Connell added another leading young rider win to his record when he finished top of the young riders in seventh place. Riding Brosna View Stables, BVS Echo Island he lodged a clear in 42.45.

Eighth place belonged to David Costello and Viere, who went clear in 48.01. Costello was also the leading Pro Am rider of the leg.

Earlier in the day, victory in the 1.20m went to Christopher Connell and BVS Echo Island who jumped clear in 24.37. Connell was chased home by Ger O’ Neill and The Hurricane, clear in 25.98.

Third place belonged to Emer Kavanagh and Dolly Mix, clear in 26.87. Corinne Hyde’s clear with Kalico in 27.30 ensured her fourth place, ahead of Wesley Ryan and Bernhard, clear in 27.76. Tholm Keane and Vivian Lee completed the top six line-up when going clear in 28.61.