Emer Bermingham

WITH just three rounds left in the CWD Pony Spring Tour league, the battle for points intensified at Cavan EC last Sunday.

Some 61 combinations contesting the 148cms division, 56 jumped in the 128cms and 46 in the 138cms division. Resident course designer Paul Duffy set the challenge for riders.

Winner of the 128cms Spring Tour on this occasion was Tom Wachman, who put in a blistering round with Parc Epic to go clear in 26 seconds. Winner of the first two rounds, Francis Derwin and Essenar Jinja Ninja followed closely behind and a clear in 29.60 guaranteed him the runner-up spot.

Isobel Hughes Kennedy partnered Headmore Little Lightning to a clear in 30.37 for third, while Ryan Sweetnam and Hollycreek Oran Splendour clear in 32.70 insured them fourth place. Not content with just fourth place, Sweetnam also took fifth place with The Silver Legend when clear in 33.08. Leo Dunne and Wingland Heloise completed the top six by going clear in 34 seconds.

There seems to be no stopping Max Foley as he landed another win in the 138cms division. Riding Sandy, he lodged the winning round by going clear in 31.10. This is the Carlow rider’s third consecutive victory, having won in Tubberbride with Mayfly Green Peter and last week at Wexford EC with Sandy.

Placed fifth at Tubberbride, Leah Stack added valuable points to her tally when she delivered a clear in 31.13 for the runner-up place.

Another rider chasing points was Ciaran Nallon and he duly delivered when recording a clear in 32.27 with Quest Du Buhot for third.

SUPERSTAR

Caragh Charlton’s clear in 33.19 with Woodfield Superstar ensured her fourth place, ahead of Patrick Kavanagh and Woodfield Rain in 33.42.

Placed fourth last week, Francis Derwin was back in the placings this week, filling sixth place with Ann Derwin’s Sligo Lux To Queeney (33.17).

Robbie Clancy led the victory lap in the 148cms division. Riding Gerard Clancy’s Sambo Lino, he galloped home with nothing to add in 33.51.

Orla Duffy followed closely behind with Boston Burgler but a slower time of 33.79 put her into second place.

Duffy didn’t go home too disappointed though, as she also accounted for fifth place with Sunny Jr when clear in 39.24.

Placed in the opening rounds, Cora Sharkey added to her points tally when slotting into third place with Jackie Lee’s Bertas Clover, clear in 36.51.

Jason Foley added to the family haul as he piloted Paul Boyle’s Casino Royale to fourth place when clear in 36.78. Ruari Clarke completed the top six when he lodged a clear with Jane Clarke’s Knockroe Little Mike in 40.95.

As in previous rounds, the 148cms Spring Tour HSI Trial result proved very competitive with five combinations delivering double clears. Leading the victory lap in this round was Kate Derwin. Riding Vales Blue Melody she galloped home in 36.67 seconds.

Another familiar combination as this level, Abbie Sweetnam and Dynamite Spartacus made no mistake as they crossed the line in 37.05 for second place.

Winner last week, Ciaran Nallon was back on the podium claiming third place with Dibidoe, clear in 38.18. Nallon bettered his own time with Sligo Little James but it came at a price as a pole fell to the floor. His time of 37.9plus four faults saw him take eventual sixth.

Charlotte Houston’s decision to play it safe paid off with Blessington Grange Mist delivering a clear round in 40.38 for fourth place. Harry Allen delivered the last clear round of the jump-off with Acapella Z (50.50) for fifth place.

In the children on horses division, four combinations delivered double clears. Sharing first place was Anne Torrens riding Jennie Taggart’s Sonconcorde (43.20), Oscar Burke Mullaney aboard Impressionist (44.45) and Charlotte Harding and Crossmaglen Bandit (46.09).