ACTION in the Pony CWD Spring Tour moved up a gear last weekend at The Meadows EC with riders battling it out for points ahead of this weekend’s final at Raheen Na Gun. As expected with vital points on offer and the HSI trial also taking place, riders travelled near and far to make their presence felt.

128cms

In the 128cms division, Coen Williams and Parc Giggles led the victory lap when they crossed the line, fastest of the 15 double clears in 33.50 seconds. This was the second win of the series for this combination, having won in Galway. Fractions behind when clocking 33.66 was Tom Wachman and Little Jack Sprat. Lucy Morton accounted for third place when she piloted Tynnan Tuttle Pip to a clear in 34.63. Wachman returned to take another placing when he crossed the line aboard Parc Epic clear in 35.04. Leo Dunne slotted into fifth place when he came home with nothing to add with Wingland Heloise in a time of 35.63. Marta Hughes Bravo took a more cautious approach with Little Miss Big Time and it paid off for the Kilkenny rider when she crossed the line clear in 36.33 for eventual sixth.

138cms

Francis Derwin has proved to be a dominant force in the 138cms league and he didn’t disappoint in this round when he took the honours.

Riding Ruby Brown, he galloped home, clear in 33.81. This is the second consecutive win for Derwin having also won the week before in Cavan. Placed third in the round at Cavan, Sarah Fitzgerald and Strandfield Ruby went one better when clocking in 34.68 for second. In third place were Rhys Williams and Sligo Lux to Queeny, clear in 37.24.

Less than a second separated the next placing as Seamus Hennessy galloped home aboard Ballylinn Champ in 37.54. Slotting into fifth place were Alex Finney and Dolly du Carel when clear in 37.93, ahead of Caragh Charlton and Western Oreo who clocked 39.43.

148cms

Leading the victory lap in the 148cms was Ruairi Aylward. Riding Coppenagh Oliver Twist, he was the only rider to come home clear within the 36-second mark when clocking 35.07. Second place belonged to Cora Sharkey who lodged a clear with Who’s Arco in 36.76. Emma McEntee was fractions behind with Mr Bunny when clocking 36.98 for third. Eve Donnelly and Rincoola Babog opted for the longer lines and stopped the clock in 39.68 for eventual fourth.

Kate Derwin, winner of the opening round in Portmore, proved that the time could be beaten when she clocked 32.88 with Master Stevie G, but an unlucky four faults meant that she had to be content with fifth. Completing the line-up was the winner of the Cavan round, John Murray and Mathius, who also incurred four faults in 35.59. Murray is also a contender for a league title having claimed the round at Cavan with Irish Builder and was second in Galway.

148cms HSI Viewing Trial

Riders were put through their paces in the 148cms 1.30m class and with riders facing a testing course just two combinations delivering double clears in the five-way jump-off. Fastest of those was Abbie Sweetnam and Dynamite Spartacus in 35.85.

Dan Geaney opted for a safer approach aboard For Kids Only and it paid dividends as he crossed the line clear in 48.77 for second. Fastest of the four-faulters were Lucy Shanahan and Cinderella Girl in 37.83, ahead of Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Cuffesgrange Cavalidam in 40.51. Last of the four-faulters were Ciaran Nallon and Florian 26 in 43.06.

Children on Horses

In the Children on Horses Spring Tour division, only Max Wachman and Cesha Old delivered a double clear round. Next week at the final, this section will be run against the clock.