COUNTY Tyrone rider Bryan Smith has been producing some very good form recently at Summerhouse, Hartpury College and most recently at South View Equestrian Centre, where their development classic show attracted entries from far and wide.

South View’s SEIB winter novice qualifier that offered two tickets to the Royal International championship attracted over 90 entries, Bryan Smith fielding three horses.

Smith’s best chance came with Elamo Bewitched, who jumped late in the 43-strong jump off.

All began well over a tempting course with Smith taking up all the shorter options, but on the turn for home the nine-year-old Irish-bred grey mare nudged a rail past the point of no return for four faults, in a time that would have been good enough for third.

“She’s in fine form and flying at the moment. This was a very tough class over decent fences so I can’t be disappointed with this result,” said Smith who ultimately finished 16th.

Smith also started Dungimmon Sunrise and Corkhill Lad in the winter novice qualifier.

Dungimmon Sunrise is also Irish bred by HHS BR Charlton out of Clover Hill mare.

The 10-year-old was recently at the races to win a 1.15m open recently at Summerhouse and he has now stepped up well to 1.30m jumping clear at that level within the last couple of weeks.

Smith also just missed out qualifying for the Royal International in Hartpury’s winter B&C qualifier a couple of weeks ago.

“He’s a real galloper and big jumper and at the moment he’s my most promising horse,” said Smith.

After finishing the year with three decent places at Onley Showground and Hartpury College the Irish bred Corkhill Lad also acquitted himself for well for Smith in South View’s winter novice.

Smith is now gearing up for Hartpury next week and also has Pauline Williams’ Osprey Hookster in good form.

The six-year-old has done three shows so far and he was placed sixth in a 1.05m open at Summerhouse last week.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Also on the campaign trail for Smith is Amadeus M who is another horse who showed remarkable consistency at the end of the year before his winter break.

Also competing at South View’s development classic were Taylor Croke, Dean Wilson and Edward Doyle (Jnr).

Ken Ashe gained a win last weekend at Crofton Manorw with the Verdi six-year-old Our Charlie Chaplin who topped the British novice.

“He’s a fairly late starter after having an accident as a youngster but he’s going very well now,” he said.

After previously notching up a win at Quob Stables, the Ricardo Z stallion Urlanmore Cavalier added to his list of wins in an open class for Ashe at Crofton.

“He’s a very competitive horse who has won on his last five outings,” said Ashe.

It has proved a busy time for Ashe who is finding the market quite buoyant at the moment.

Having recently sold some horses, Ashe has purchased a couple of two-year-olds one a colt by Dutch Design and a filly by Chako Blue.

Keith Doyle has also been in winning form in recent weeks, the Hampshire based rider taking the top two newcomer places at Crofton Manor a fortnight ago.

After registering a fourth place on her first visit to Crofton the Belgian bred mare Ida proved quick and clean all the way to win the newcomers on her second visit.

Doyle also rode second placed Etude a six-year-old Dutch-bred mare by Whitesnake who has been ultra consistent this year at Quob Stables, Bury Farm, Addington before travelling to Crofton Manor.

NEWCOMER CLASS

Aoife O’Connor has also been out and about recently, and she was placed last week in a newcomer class at Addington riding Billy Haze a British bred six-year-old by Billy Congo out of a Clover Hill mare.

O’Connor also registered her first placing with Zooey, the eight-year-old mare finishing fifth in a Foxhunter class and Fragile D’Or jumped clear in the 1.30m for O’Connor but finished just outside the places.

Eoin Gallagher is busy combining hunting with the Belvoir hounds and competing at the moment and he made a productive visit to Vale View recently where the County Down rider finished fourth in the Foxhunter riding Lord Luidam.

The Irish bred Luidam seven-year-old also stepped up to jump in the 1.30m open and Gallagher was pleased to finish with a single rail down.

“He jumped well and we hope to be in action again this weekend along with a couple of new horses,” said Gallagher.

Having been busy with buying, selling and teaching, Mark Dorgan is looking forward to his first show since September this weekend.

“I hope to be at full tilt by the middle of March,” said Dorgan who has 20 horses in work.

After a good run show jumping Captain Brian Cournane has now turned his attentions to eventing and he is currently champing at the bit for his first runs of the 2015 season. He is entered to compete at Barroca D’Alava, Portugal this weekend with Aloha.