INTERNATIONAL event rider Cathal Daniels put his first win on the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour board last Sunday, claiming the honours at the round held at Tipperary Equestrian. Riding the Daisy Duggan-owned EMS Adelaide, he delivered the winning clear in 31.89 seconds.

Bred by Willie McElhinney, the 10-year-old mare is by Mermus R out of the Loch Cruise-sired Sante Cruise. It was a good day in the office for this combination as they also took the runner-up place in the earlier Boomerang.ie-sponsored 1.25m, crossing the line, just two seconds off the winner in a time of 33.71.

Speaking after the win Daniels said; “This is only the start of a new partnership and I am delighted to get to ride the mare. I knew from the first day after riding her, that she is a mare with great ability and heart. She is a super competitive mare.”

Delighted with the result, owner Daisy Duggan said: “Cathal was trying out the mare for one of his clients and from the start he got on really well with her. She needed to go to a higher level in jumping and I was fortunate that Cathal was willing to take her on with the view of producing her and selling her at a later date.

“I bought her in an elite sale in Mullingar from her breeder as a three-year-old. I evented her as a four and five-year old, but realised she was very careful and would be suited to show jumping. As a seven-year-old she was unbeatable with Sean Monaghan. She is a super easy mare and I am looking forward to the future with her.”

Big turnout

There was a good turnout for this round with 46 combinations battling out for the €3,000 on offer. Of the original starters, 17 double clears were delivered. Out of the top six finishers, three of the placings were filled by young riders.

It was another good day for the Brennan family as young rider Timmy Brennan went on to claim the runner-up place with GCS Ita, when they crossed the line with nothing to add in 34.05 seconds. GCS Ita is a home-bred out of Tim Brennan’s mare MHS Attraction. Owned by Brennan, the nine-year-old mare is by OBOS Quality. This combination is one to watch in this series having claimed the opening round in Jag Equestrian. The pairing has clocked up 32 points on the leaderboard, putting them in poll position heading into the next round at Killossery tomorrow (Sunday, March 12th).

Following a great show at Wexford the day before, Galway’s Sven Hadley added to his record as he took third place with the Patricia Grimes-owned Siobhra. The pair also maintained a clean sheet, albeit in a slower time of 34.16 for third place. Earlier in the day, the partnership took the win in the Boomerang.ie 1.25m, clear in 33.71. Bred by its owner, this 11-year-old bay mare is by Lux Z out of the Clover Hill-sired Aprhill. Hadley added to his haul, claiming third place in the 1.25m with the Carroll Produce-owned Kabran De Reve Z, clear in 38.62 seconds.

Young rider, Seamus Hennessy also remained within the 35-second mark, delivering a clear with King Louis AE in a time of 34.44 for eventual fourth. Bred by Mrs H Johnson and owned by Lorcan Hennessy, the 11-year-old gelding is by Locarno 62 out of the Baloubet du Rouet-sired Vamirette B.

A clear from Abbie Sweetnam and Pinaki Van Den Dael l in 34.85 seconds saw her account for fifth place. Owned by Jeremy Sweetnam and bred by Frederick En Eric Dekens, the eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare is by I Am Moerhoeve’s Star out of the Eros Platiere -sired Inaki Van Den Dael.

Impressive

No stranger to success in the pony area, young rider Coen Williams added to his impressive record as he delivered a clear with Conthanja PS for sixth place. The pair crossed the line in a time of 35.65. Owned by Williams’ Sport Horses, the 10-year-old German -bred mare is by Conthargos out of the Grand Step-sired Grand Ronja. This is the combinations second outing this year, previously been campaigned by Rhys Williams with much success.

Amateur riders dominated the Sportsfield Horses 115cm, claiming four of the top six placings. Taking the victory was AA rider Marie Hartley and Scarthill Vendi, clear in 31.51. The runner-up place belonged to young rider Ciara Fives and Loughnatousa Brennan, clear in 32.54.

Not content with the win, Hartley also took third place with Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, clear in 33.06. Slotting into fourth place was fellow amateur rider Lorraine Younge [AA] and Little Miss Russel, clear in 35 seconds. Fifth place belonged to Eddie Moloney and the six-year-old Twain Flight, clear in 35.45, while in sixth place was amateur rider Kate Dilloughery [AA] and Rosalie, clear in 38.11.