INTERNATIONAL show jumping at Cavan International CSI* got off to an exciting start last Friday with Tholm Keane and Future Storm claiming the Cavan Welcome Stakes.

Bred by Michael Cusack, Future Storm is an 11-year-old gelding by Future Trend out of the Cruising-sired mare Angel Of Harlem.

Speaking after the show, Keane said: “We had a very good show in Cavan and we featured in a good few of the line-ups.” Regarding the win, he added: “Future Storm is naturally quick and has proved very consistent and it was nice for the owner, Diarmuid Hurley, to have this win as he has been a loyal supporter to me for many years.

“The plan now is to take it easy for the remainder of the year and hopefully travel abroad early next year.”

The course, which was designed by German Claus Holle, allowed riders the opportunity to make up time from the off. For those with a win in mind, they needed to negotiate a tight line back from the oxer at fence two, back to the water tray at three.

A nifty turn back to the double at six and then a good line to the third last fence, to get themselves up for the last line, was essential.

Fourth to go, Shannon MacKenzie and Dylotia laid down the gauntlet as they delivered a clear in 55.71 seconds. Despite a strong start, MacKenzie lead however was short lived as just four horses later the standings changed.

Riding HS Copperhead Cruise, Alexander Butler’s calculated riding saw him negotiate all the right turns and he certainly put it up to the rest as he lodged a clear in 53.26 to take the lead. Bred in Hartwell Stud by his owner Gina McCann, HS Copperhead Cruise (ISH) is a 10-year-old mare by Cruising out of the Randi-sired mare Fancy Fling.

Riding for Vinnie Duffy, Austrian rider Johanna Sixt clocked 56.09 seconds with Caliva Charca MM Z to go into third and later finish in eventual sixth, just behind MacKenzie and Dylotia who took eventual fifth.

Just one horse later, the lead changed hands again as Keane and Future Storm took to the course with a win in mind. A series of tight lines matched with a strong pace down the last line saw him set the winning time of 52.56 and in the process demote Butler into second.

Heinrich Anhold’s tight turn to the water tray with KMS Clintland took the gelding by surprise, but recovering well the combination went on to deliver a clear in 55.65 for fourth. Owned by Ivor Broderick and Neal Fearon, the 10-year-old gelding is by Clinton and out of Uganna.

Returning for the second time in the class, Johanna Sixt improved on her earlier performance when she partnered Ballylynch Take Advantage (ISH) into third place in 53.42. Ballylynch Take Advantage is a 15-year-old French-bred gelding who began his career in eventing in 2010 with Michael Ryan when owned by Carol Henry, but shortly after moved to show jumping.