WATERFORD’s Paddy O’Donnell was certainly on form at Millstreet International CSI2* as he claimed victory in no less than four of the 10 international classes over the course of the five-day show.

The Tramore rider got off to a great start last Thursday when he took the first international 1.25m class. Riding Seefin Suprise, he delivered a double clear in 29.88.

No stranger to success in Millstreet, Galway’s Sven Hadley made his presence felt when he partnered Ganorad to a clear in 30.83 for second. Following a series of good results in Dublin, Jack Ryan added to his tally when third with Zavatar F, double clear in 30.86. Accounting for fourth place was Yvonne Whiteside and Ecclesville, double clear in 31.20. Hadley was back in the line-up when he delivered a double clear with Vvood Stock de Breve in 31.48 for fifth, ahead of Patrick Joyce and Glyntown Blake, clear in 33.71.

O’Donnell continue his winning ways when he took the honours in the second class, 1.30m Two Phase Silver/Gold Tour. Riding Minority Report (Finnegans Whiskers), he was fastest of the double clears in 26.62. In total, 87 went to post, and with a high standard, 22 delivered double clears. Claiming the runner-up slot was Thomas O’Brien riding Miss Darco, stopping the clock in 28.16. Little separated the next placing as Capt Geoff Curran clocked 28.38 with Dowth Hall for third. Hadley went clear with Ganorad in 28.39 for fourth ahead of Tim MacDonagh and Mr Boom Boom in 28.53. Completing the top six line-up was Shane Goggins and Galwaybay Holly R, who clocked 28.84.

The last international class of the opening day, the 1.40m Grand Prix qualifier saw a win for Jonathan Smyth. Riding Charlton Clio, he lodged the fastest clear in 62.23. Currently leading the National Grand Prix league, Liam O’Meara demonstrated his talent as he took the runner-up place with Oldtown KC, clear in 62.75. Capt. Geoff Curran repeated his earlier performance, this time taking third with Drumiller Lough, clear in 63.15. Smyth also took fourth with Mulvin Lui, clear in 63.54. Fractions behind was Cormac Rafferty with Kmr Benzini,clear in 64.04 ahead of Harry Marshall and Barcelona, clear in 64.97.

Hadley triumphs

Last Friday morning, Hadley upped the pressure to take the win in the 1.25m Tour. Riding Ganorad, he was fastest of the four clears in 61.49 from a startlist of 78 combinations. Smyth was back in the line-up, taking the runner-up spot with Cruising Lux, in 61.51. Jack Ryan and Zavatar F answered all the questions in 62.71 for third, ahead of Tori Dunn and Ballistic M2s in 65.42. O’Donnell added another result to his record sheet when he partnered Seefin Suprise into fifth, carrying four faults in 67.18. Competing the top six line-up was Yvonne Whiteside and Ecclesville, on four faults in 67.72.

Win for Connors

The 1.40m Gold Tour on Friday afternoon saw 83 competitors battle it out and 17 delivered clears and proceeded to the timed round. Taking the win and €1,320 for his efforts was Waterford’s Francis Connors and Erne Lady Goldilocks, clear in 35.73. Little separated the next placing as Tadhg Kearney galloped home aboard Fanta in 35.91 for second. Slotting into third was Cian Harrison and Tabby clear in 36.64, ahead of Harry Marshall and Barcelona, clear in 36.65. A clear in 37.24 ensured Katie Conlon and Ping Ball fifth place, while Kenneth Graham also delivered a clear with Beir Bua in 38.19 for sixth.

Victory for Byrne

Victory in the 1.30m Gold/Silver Tour went to Vincent Byrne who delivered the winning round aboard Mr Rockefeller, clear in 32.08. It was another competitive class with 70 going to post and of those, 27 delivered double clears. The class came down to the wire with the top eight coming home within 36 seconds. Meath’s John Floody and Donevan Erkindale kept all the poles in place in 33.21 for second, ahead of young rider Ciaran Nallon and Belfields Captain, clear in 33.76. Slotting into fourth place was Shane Goggins and Galwaybay Holly R, clear in 34.34, while Sean Foley and Ciano crossed the line in 35.03 for fifth. Waterford rider Samantha Foley delivered a clear with Verdis Diamond in 35.28 for sixth.

O’Donnell continued his winning ways as he took the first international class (1.35m) last Saturday morning. Riding Minority Report, he lodged the winning clear in 38.80. This was the second time for this partnership to win this class having claimed it last year. It was another competitive class with 76 going to post and of those, 14 delivered double clears. Capt. Geoff Curran was less than a second behind with Drumiller Lough in 39.67 for second. Galway’s Daniel McAlinden took third with Neat Midnight Magic, clear in 41.39, ahead of Louis Delplace and Carrick Kilderrys Diamond, clear in 42.61. A clear in 42.91 ensured Anthony O’ Regan and Holmoak Koln fifth, while Kenneth Graham and Beir Bua returned to take sixth, clear in 43.10.

Smyth on form

The last international class of the day, the 1.25m Final Silver Tour saw a win for Jonathan Smyth and Cruising Lux when they lodged the winning clear in 42.97. Yvonne Whiteside and Ecclesville were back in the line-up, taking second when clear in 44.96, ahead of Thomas O’Brien and Miss Darco, clear in 45.32. Sven Hadley returned to take fourth with Ganorad when he kept all the poles in place in 45.66. Fifth place belonged to Robert Harrison and Ballycarrick Lass, clear in 45.99, ahead of Lucy Shanahan and Omane des Faux, clear in 46.04.

Quality win

O’Donnell ending his show on a high note when claiming the 1.30m Gold and Silver Tour. This time riding The Best of Quality, he lodged the winning clear in 36.05. There was little between the next placing as Kate Derwin and Deep Pockets galloped home in 36.65 for second. Capt. Geoff Curran and Dowth Hall were back in the line-up taking third when clocking 37.68, ahead of Jessica Burke and Greenvale Draco, clear in 38.46. Slotting into fifth was Lt Charlene Kehoe and Shannondale Rahona, clear in 43.14, while filling sixth place was Glenn McCullough and Lvs Judy Ann, clear in 47.47.