JACK Ryan demonstrated his talent at Maryville Equestrian last Sunday as he led the victory lap in the Connolly’s Red Mills, Show Jumpers Club, Spring Tour when he was the only rider to stay within the 35-second mark in the jump-off.

Riding Cavalier Teaca, owned by his mother Marguerite, he lodged the winning round and with it recorded his first win of the series. Although only 15 years old, Ryan has made his mark on this Tour having finished sixth on S Patrick’s Day in Broadmeadows with Cavalier Teaca.

Cavalier Teaca is a 10-year-old mare by Glidawn Diamond out of the Cavalier Royale-sired mare Teaca. This combination is no stranger to success with wins at home and abroad. Last year they ended their season with a win in the 1.30m Grand Prix in the Owners Pony and Young Rider Charity Show in Millstreet. Before this they took second place in the Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix league in Cavan and Wexford.

Ryan, who is based in Warrington Equestrian, is trained by Eddie Moloney. Although only the start of the season, he has been kept busy and was also in action the day before at Raheen Na Gun Stud, competing in the CWD Pony Spring Tour with Sixmilewater Blaze where he competes in the 148cms division.

Delighted with the win, Ryan said: “I knew it was going to be a competitive class and Mikey set the bar high. Going midway I had an advantage but really I knew a very fast clear was what I needed. Eddie (Moloney) was on hand with advice and thankfully it paid off.”

On duty course designer James Tarrant designed a fair track for the 46-strong start-list, which saw 20 proceed to the jump-off.

Second to go against the clock, Mikey Pender wasted no time with HHS California and a good turn back to the double at nine saw him set the bar high when clear in 35.74 seconds to put it up to the rest in.

The next clear came courtesy of Vincent Byrne and Mr Rockefeller, but their time of 38.56 would later see them finished outside the top eight.

Joseph O’Brien delivered a foot-perfect performance with Legaland Lux Breaker and their time of 38.56 was enough to keep him in the line-up as he took eventual eight. The Galway rider also picked up a Botanica Hamper as the top finishing pro-am rider of the leg.

Speed merchant against the clock, Tholm Keane meant business from the off. Riding Diarmuid Hurley’s Future Storme, the Kilkenny rider answered all the questions, but a clear in 36.59 failed to demote Pender and instead he had to contend with eventual fifth place.

Double-handed in the jump-off, Liam O’Meara got his first look at the course aboard Kennys Flight. No stranger to this type of pressure, O’Meara took it in his stride as he lodged a clear in 37.38 which provisionally put him into third and later seventh.

It was only after five horses later that the lead changed hands as Jack Ryan and Cavalier Teaca skillfully shaved fractions of the lead when lowering the target to 34.84 seconds.

The pressure was on as Jake Hunter negotiated the track with Robinson Lux Lovely and he duly delivered that all important clear in a time of 36.50 for eventual fourth.

All eyes were on Mikey Pender as he returned with his second mount HHS Sevenhouses and he delivered another clear in 36.68 for eventual sixth place.

Last to go with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, Liam O’Meara knew what he needed to do to take the win. Setting off in a determined pace, O’Meara looked up for the challenge but despite a strong pace, a clear in 35.12 proved only good enough for second place and in the process demoted Mikey Pender and HHS California into third.

Double clears were also delivered by Vincent Byrne (Sambuca Paris Diamond), Francis Connors (Centolina RB), Joanne Greene (CSF Vince),and Rory Horgan (J’aime Van het Beetjen) but with very fast times being delivered, they failed to finish in the top eight.

With just three rounds left before the final at Warrington on April 16th, it’s all still to play for as Sven Hadley and Sumas Taloubet top the leader board on 34 points, while the the reigning champion Liam O’Meara and Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight have clocked up 32 points.

Riders should note that to win the overall prize of the Tour, riders must be a member of the Showjumpers Club.