INTERNATIONAL action began in Millstreet CSI1* last Friday, with riders from eight nations aiming to start their season well at the first Irish international of 2019.

Hadley Sport Horses got their international campaign off to a great start as they dominated the opening Table A 1.25m last Friday. Between Sven Hadley and his partner Tori Dunn, they accounted for four of the top six placings.

Sven took the win when he partnered Sumas Taloubet to a clear in 61.09 seconds. Almost a second behind with Ganorad, Hadley also took the runner-up spot when stopping the clock 61.93. Just fractions behind Hadley were Alan O’Regan and Liberation, in a time of 62.95 for third. Tori Dunn was keen to feature in the line-up and a clear with Tom Reed’s Ballistic M2S in 63.80 saw her slot into fourth.

Kevin McCabe and Scarlet Quality finished with a clear in 70.91 for eventual fifth place, and Hadley completed the top six line-up when he delivered a clear with Uidam in 71.61 seconds.

Thomas O’Brien said the Maryville Spring Tour the previous Sunday was a great warm-up for Millstreet, and he was not wrong as he claimed victory in the second international class, the 1.30m Grand Prix qualifier.

Riding his Maryville winner Miss Darco, a clear in 24.77 saw the duo lead the victory lap. John Floody was less than a second behind with Donevan Erkindale, clear in 25.56 for second place. Hadley was back in the ribbons when delivering a clear with Sumas Taloubet for third.

Rory Horgan and J’Aime van het Beetjen’s clear in 26.68 ensured them fourth place, ahead of Shane Goggins and Madame Tussaud in a time of 27.58. Sixth place belonged to Cian Harrison and Tabby when they crossed the line in 27.99 seconds.

Sven Hadley continued his winning ways when he led the victory lap in the 1.25m Table C. Riding the eight-year-old Bacardi VDL-sired gelding Ganorad, he put in a blistering round in 56 seconds and took home €300 for his efforts. Cian Harrison kept all the poles in place with Mr Big Cash in a time of 56.62 for second. Kevin McCabe and Lexus Quality also maintained a clean sheet, in a time of 56.98 for third. John Floody delivered a clear with Claire Craig’s Craigmanus Hold Up Diamond in 57.45 for fourth.

Having been placed in the earlier four-year-old class, Jessica Burke found herself back in the line-up when she partnered Faluna to a clear in 57.88, for fifth. Sean Monaghan and Lisbane Aladdin put in a foot-perfect round in a time of 59.97 for sixth place.

DOUBLE WIN

Thomas O’Brien added to his winning tally when he took victory in the 1.30m Table A with Philip McManus’ gelding Rockwood Pablo. The duo were the fastest of 15 double clears in a time of 37.50 and took home the top prize of €660.

International eventer Cathal Daniels has clocked up a series of good results in The Showjumpers Club Spring Tour to date and he added to that record when he took second place in this international line-up.

Riding Dartans Quality Brigade, he took all the necessary tight turns and stopped the clock in 37.69.

Hadley again put in a great effort with Sumas Taloubet, but a clear in 39.27 meant he had to settle for third place. Paul Kennedy and Star La Tuiliere remained within the 40-second barrier in a time of 39.71 for fourth. Fifth place belonged to Lucy Shanahan and Omane des Faux when they stopped the clock in 40.22, ahead of Alan O’Regan and Freedam in 40.36.