KILKENNY native Tholm Keane proved popular as he piloted Future Storm to victory in the second round of Ulster Region’s TRI Equestrian NI Summer Tour 1.35m Grand Prix at Cavan EC last weekend. Owned by Diarmuid Hurley, Future Storm is a mare by Future Trend out of a Cruising mare. She was the second of Keane’s two horses through to the jump-off, stopping the clock at 30.29 seconds to take the lion’s share of the €1,500 prize fund.

As expected there was a large contingent of experienced local riders contesting this round and as a result, with 43 on the start list, several combinations proceeded to the jump-off with only a win on their mind.

First to go with Catch Me If You Can, Gerard Campbell put it up to the rest when he delivered a clear in 36.01 seconds, which later saw him claim sixth place.

Donegal’s Kenneth Graham also kept everything in place with the first of his two mounts, Coco Fino, albeit in a slower time for eventual second place, with a time of 33.64 and the title of highest placed Ulster athlete. No stranger to pressure, setting off on his second mount, Democrat saw the Donegal rider take fourth place.

With Delano W, Keane knew what he had to do to be in with a chance. Throwing caution to the wind, he kept the pace up throughout the course but despite this good attempt, a clear saw him fill fifth place in the final line-up.

Both Tori Dunn (Victoria Z) and Catherine Thornton (Clinton Jack) made it through to the jump-off. Dunn finished in seventh place just ahead of Thornton who took the eighth place rosette.

The next leg of the popular tour moves north to Portrush for the Causeway Coast Charity Show Jumper Charity two-day show on May 28-29th.