JAG Equestrian played host to the second round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Tour last Saturday and, as expected, this league was well supported.

It was well worth the trip from Co Down for Dylan Ward, as he led the victory lap in the 1.35m division. Riding Kruser DHH, he lodged the winning time of 36.53 seconds. Owned by Quality Sport Horses, the nine-year-old gelding is by Harley VDL and is out of the Heartbreaker-sired dam, Dame Blanche.

It was a competitive class, with 25 going to post and, from those, 12 booked their place against the clock.

Ward was chased home by Barry Griffin, who put in a gallant attempt with his own Sbh Diamond In The Rough, crossing the line in a time of 36.98. Bred by John Kearney, the 10-year-old mare is by Diamond Roller and is out of the Metropole-sired dam, Zalsa.

No stranger to this pressure, Derek McConnell also maintained a clean sheet with his own Longfield Quinlui, but in a time of 37.82 for third place. This 12-year-old Quintender mare has been a loyal servant for McConnell, with results up to Grand Prix level.

A clear from Nicola Fitzgibbon and the Langara Ventures-owned seven-year-old Gracefield Apollo in a time of 38.86 saw her take fourth place. Bred by Barry McCann, this gelding is by Luidam and out of the Coriall-sired dam, Rebecca.

Anna Carway and Baskin Sunny Diamond accounted for fifth place, when they delivered a clear in 44.09. Owned by her jockey and bred by John Carey, the nine-year-old is by Diamant de Semilly and is out of the Clover Hill-sired dam, Urrahills Big Little Cat.

Ethen Ahearne’s clear with Dermot Walsh’s eight-year-old LVS Goldrush in a time of 48.84 proved good enough for sixth place. Bred by Heritage bloodstock Ltd, this gelding is by Stakkato Gold and is out of Arcadia LVS Z.

1.10m

First up for the challenge on Saturday morning were riders in the 1.10m division, with 26 going to post in the two-phase special class. Of the original starters, 14 delivered double clears. Taking the win was amateur rider, Lisa Doyle (AA) and Corland’s Clipper, when they came home in a time of 26.91 seconds. Junior rider Jamie Hargaden was less than a second behind on the seven-year-old Maggiemae C, in a time of 27.52. Amateur rider Caroline Doyle (A) and the eight-year-old, Toberpatrick HL Todd also put in a fast round, clocking 28.73 for third place. A clear from Anita Hickey (AA) and Carigeen Buachail in 31.89 saw her take fourth place. Children on Horses rider Honor Bills-Everett accounted for fifth place with Cemondo Z, in a time of 32.58. Completing the line-up was Michael Murphy and Voodoo Quality, in a time of 34.81.

1.20m

In the 1.20m division, the win belonged to junior rider Jamie Hargaden and Gernon RS, when they came home with nothing to add in a time of 33.80. Just over two seconds separated the next placing, as Dylan Ward partnered the six-year-old Stromboli Der Dolen to a clear in 36.03 for second place. Timmy Keogh also answered all the questions aboard Jaguar Blue, in a slower time of 37.62 for third place. The Doyle family claimed the next two slots, with Edward Junior taking fourth with OKE Lulu Star, when he kept all the poles in place in a time of 38.56. Edward Doyle (Snr) was a split second behind aboard PHS Livin It Up, in a time of 38.95 to claim fifth. Ethen Ahearne and the six-year-old Nozem B also came home with nothing to add in a time of 41.40 for sixth place.