MANY British-based Irish riders are now returning from the various sunshine tours and are busy preparing young horses and those coming back into work after a rest for the summer season.

Anthony Condon, who produced a magical double clear in Al Ain riding John Hales’ Aristio is delighted to receive his Nations Cup call-up for Lummen. “He [Aristio] went very well in Vilamoura where he finished second in the three-star Grand Prix and he’s in great form at the moment. Balzac also jumped great in Portugal, so I’ll also take him to Lummen. In the meantime, I’ll try and get some of the young horses started,” said Condon.

Also aiming to get out and about shortly is Sligo’s Richard Howley, who is just back from Spain. “All the established rides are just coming back into work after a winter break so we’re cracking on getting them fit for our first outdoor shows of the season,” said Howley, who has 30 horses stabled.

Trevor Nicholson has been in flying form recently, the Ayrshire-based rider having a couple of very productive weeks on the Scottish circuit. Starting off his spring run at Muirmill, Nicholson recorded a winning double riding Cordoba, who topped two 1.10m open classes. “These are always very competitive and fast competitions and we couldn’t afford to waste any time on both days,” said Nicholson.

The Ulsterman also travelled Darcy B to Muirmill and, after gaining a British novice third on the opening day, Nicholson upped the pace and clinched a good win 24 hours later.

Adding to the ribbon haul was a fairly new ride for Nicholson, Robin II, who finished a creditable third in the newcomers, and the ever-consistent Irish-bred seven-year-old stallion Drumconnick Verdi again did not return home empty-handed after clinching a Foxhunter third.

The next show for Nicholson and his partner Aileen Craig was at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre (SNEC) where Cordoba claimed his third successive 1.10m victory.

With tickets to the Royal Highland Show championships eagerly sought even at this early stage of the season, Nicholson had to work hard to claim third place in a 67-starter Foxhunter which offered three qualifying tickets. “With 21 clears coming through to the jump-off, it proved tough enough, but I’m glad to get one [Royal Highland] ticket in the bag in the first qualifier I have started in,” said Nicholson.

Next outing was to Highfield (formerly known as Dabs), where Cordoba stepped up a level to jump double-clear and finish sixth in a strong 1.20m. Nicholson also just missed out on a Royal Highland ticket when Crocodile Rock finished sixth in a very quick Foxhunter jump-off after a rail down in a fast time dropped them out of the top three.

Dean Wilson has been making good progress from his new base with John Roberts in Yorkshire, the Kilkenny rider being in the money at two recent shows.

Riding Dino IV, Wilson claimed sixth place in the newcomers and, a day later, Predator Ridge earned a 1.15m fourth. Wilson maintained his form at Port Royal, where Dino IV and Delius F earned third and fourth places in the newcomers.

The Blue Chip Championships at Hartpury attracted high entries and Bryan Smith was the highest-placed Irish rider, taking third and eighth in the Halsall Electrical 1.25m championship riding the Irish-breds Dungimmon Sunrise and Elamo Bewitched.