NESTLED on the shores of Lough Neagh, Portmore EC was certainly the place to be over the May bank holiday weekend as the TRI Equestrian Summer tour kicked off. Forming the last day of a successful three-day show, the wheels were set in motion for the 2016 tour.

The well-known course design team of Ray Buchanan and Rafael Suarez provided excellent courses once again. As the first leg of the 18-leg tour, the Suarez family were the perfect hosts to riders from all over the region and a few welcome visitors from further afield.

Continuing their recent successes in the Connelly Red Mills Spring Tour, Derry rider Jordan Coyle took the honours in the 1.35m Grand Prix on board Jim Maneely’s bay gelding Amigo VH Winkenshof Z. Stopping the clock at 36.40 seconds, Coyle held the lead with his closest rival Fermanagh’s James Hogg with his father’s Interpreter over a second behind.

The TRI Equestrian Summer Tour moves to Cavan next Sunday, May 15th, riders are reminded that entries for the 1.35m Grand Prix must be made via the SJI online system no later than 4pm the previous Thursday.