PONY riders were treated to some early summer weather and top-class jumping at the final of the CWD Pony Spring Tour at Raheen Na Gun last Saturday.

A popular league, each class was well supported and the league itself saw over 1,100 entries over the course of the tour.

128cms

In the 128cms, it was Fermanagh rider Matthew Conlon who led the victory lap and in the process, added the necessary points to win the overall title. Riding the Silver Legend, he was fastest of the 11 double clears in 23.94 seconds.

A familiar face in the winner’s enclosure in this league, Tom Wachman piloted Little Jack Spratt into second place when clear in 25.19 and took the runner-up in the league.

In third place were Katie McEntee and Kilcreene Apollo, who were fractions behind when stopping the clock in 25.39. Aine Shortall and Toorboy Tommy accounted for fourth place when they galloped home in 26.84 seconds, ahead of local rider Eoin Brennan and Ashsars Miami Bound who clocked 26.92 and also finished third in the league. Completing the top six line-up were Alexandra Hourigan and Kiltormer Ruby, clear in 26.98.

138cms

In the 138cms division, it was Caragh Charlton and Woodfield Superstar who took the honours. The combination was one of only 14 double clears and clocked the winning time of 27.44. Charlton was chased home by Tom Wachman and Fountain Ranger who was fractions behind in 27.64. Niamh McEvoy was the last of the riders to remain within the 28-second barrier when she clocked 27.82 aboard Glenford Clausa for third.

Alex Finney and Keoghan Boy also kept everything in place in 28.37 for eventual fourth. Rhys Williams and Parc Romeo clocked 28.45 for fifth, ahead of Ava Shortall and Dizzy Rascal who also delivered a foot-perfect performance in 28.72.

Winner of the league was Francis Derwin (Ruby Brown), while in second place was Sarah Fitzgerald ( Strandfield Ruby), ahead of Niamh McEvoy (Riot Del Pegulli).

148cms

In the 148cms final, victory belonged to Abbie Sweetnam when she lodged the winning round with Perseus Spartacus, clear in 38.95 seconds. Kate Derwin dominated the remainder of the class when filling three slots and in the process taking the league title with Master Stevie G.

The young Athlone rider delivered her best result with Springhill Annora when she lodged a clear in 39.28 seconds for the runner-up place. She slotted into third place when partnering Spring Rebellious to a clear in 39.30, and completed the hat-trick when she took fourth place with Master Stevie G, clear in 39.92.

Ruairi Aylward and Coppenagh Oliver Twist were back to collect another prize when they claimed fifth place when clear in 40.82. This combination’s good results saw them take third in the league, behind John Murray and The Irish Builder who finished as runner-up. In sixth place in the line-up was Orla Duffy and Tirconaill Bluebell, clear in 41.56 seconds.

148cms 1.30m HSI TRIAL

In the 148cms 1.30m HSI viewing trial, just three of the eight clears in the first round maintained clean sheets. The fastest of the double clears was Cora Sharkey with Whos Arco in 49.96. In second place were Ruairi Clarke and Knockroe Little Mike in 52.94, and last of the double clears, in 55.49, came courtesy of Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Cuffesgrane Cavalidam.

Children On Horses

Winner of the final round of Children on Horses was Brian Kuehnle and Deita de la Bouverie when they proved fastest of the three double clears in 30.33 seconds. Taking the runners-up spot were Seamus Hennessy and Ballynoe Carnival Girl, when they clocked 31.20 seconds. Brian Kuehnle accounted for another placing when he delivered another foot-perfect performance with Captain Kook in 32.21. It was a good day for Kuehnle as he took the league title with Deita de la Bouverie, ahead of Seamus Hennessy and Ballynoe Carnival Girl and Natasha Kerr and Chekane in third.

Chairperson of ponies in the SJI, John McNamara, said: “I would like to thank CWD for their very kind sponsorship this year, it is really appreciated.

“I would also like to thank the venues, course builders, judges and the pony committee that rowed in to help make the Tour the success that it has become this year. It really was a fantastic way to start off the season.”