LOCAL rider Vincent Byrne proved to be a popular winner of the penultimate round of the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour at Warrington last Sunday.

Riding the 12-year-old Ard VDL Douglas gelding Mr Rockefeller, Byrne posted one of only three double clears in the host sponsored class. This was the third victory of the tour for Byrne, who won at Wexford Equestrian and Ballinamona aboard Caugherty.

Delighted with his win, Byrne said: “It’s always nice to have the home win, especially at Warrington as I have jumped here since I was in ponies. When I went into the jump-off, my intention was to take it easy as the horse has only been out a few times this year. We got a good rhythm and I made up the time in the last four fences.

“He is a horse with a big jump, so with the course going up it really suited him. He has a big stride and likes to go against the clock. I will be looking ahead now to the Louth County show in a few weeks for the first Premier Series.”

Course designer Pat Drennan designed a technical course. In the first round, the treble back to the oxer demanded careful attention and as a result caught out a few combinations. Of the 40 starters, 14 of those booked their place over the raised jump-off course.

The first clear round came courtesy of Ger O’Neill and Easter Monday. O’Neill set off in a calculated pace, moving quickly from fence one to two. A good turn to the double, matched with a daring turn back to the vertical and then to the final oxer, saw him set the target of clear in 40.78 seconds.

Ninth to go in the 13-way jump-off, Vincent Byrne’s clever riding matched with Mr Rockefeller’s big stride saw him made up time throughout the course. Similar to those before him, it was in the last line that he made up the time and lowered the target to 38.89.

FAMILIAR TERRITORY

Fellow Kilkenny rider Jack Ryan was also in familiar territory and he kept his foot on the accelerator from the start with Cavalier Teaca.

Ryan proved that the time could be beaten but it came at a price as he recorded four faults at the double in 36.38, which saw him take eventual fourth place. Ryan, who is taught by Eddie Moloney, did not go home too disappointed as he had claimed the honours in the earlier 1.10m and Direct Steaks-sponsored 1.20m class. Along with this, he also took the leading young rider prize.

Third to go in the jump-off, Elizabeth Power had an unlucky four faults at the first part of the double with Doonaveeragh O One, but a slower time of 38.36 saw her slot into fifth place.

Next in, Michelle Desmond also picked up four faults at the third vertical with Egona M but crossed the line in 43.69 to take sixth place.

Ninth to go in the 13-way jump-off, Vincent Byrne’s clever riding saw him make up time throughout the course. Similar to O’Neill, it was in the last line that he made up time and clocked 38.89 seconds.

The penultimate rider in, Liam O’Meara put in a gallant attempt with Mr Coolcalm but he failed to match Byrne’s time and crossed the line in 39.08, which saw him finish just ahead of Ger O’Neill who took eventual third.

Last to go, John Floody ruled himself out of contention for the win when he faulted at the first and last with Mise Le Meas but his time of 50.89 saw him take seventh place.

With Floody failing to add any points to this tally prior at the weekend, the pressure will be on at the final.

The tour comes to an end on Saturday, with Maryville in Cork playing host to the final round, where points and a half will be on offer.

Speaking ahead of the final, Liam O’ Meara said: “I hope that I have done enough, but John could still catch me, as points and a half are on offer in the final round. It would be great to retain the title for the second year. Both horses are in good form, so I can only hope that it will go my way.”

No doubt those in contention for winning an overall prize in the Spring Tour will be out in force at the final at Maryville next Saturday.

Although O’Meara currently occupies pole position, victory is still within grasp for Floody with the bonus points on offer. As only the best results of nine legs count for all combinations, O’Meara (who has competed in nine rounds) will drop his lowest point score.

Along with the overall prize fund of €2,000 for the winner, €750 for the runner-up and €250 for third place, there is also the Breeder’s Prize sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland of €1,000 for the leading Irish Sport Horse in the Spring Tour. The Castlefield Sport Horses prize is for seven and eight-year-old horses, which will see the winner claim €1,000, the runner-up €700 and third placed horse take home €300. The leading young rider of the tour will receive a training bursary from Connolly’s Red Mills.