PONY riders were out in force this weekend with the start of the Equijump Ltd Pony Spring Tour. The first of the double bill took place at Ard Chuain Equestrian Centre last Saturday.

In the 128cm 1m Equijump Spring Tour, 33 combinations went to post and taking the first win was Munster rider DJ Kent riding the Ger O’Neill-owned Castlefield Messi, clear in 26.18. Cliodhna McEvoy was fractions behind with Tynnan Tuttle Pip, clocking 28.48. Third place was filled by Charlie Flynn and Penchwintan Glynle, clear in 29.21, ahead of Kate Hurley and Pallas Fondi in 31.65. Slotting in to fifth place was Alayna Hawkins and Ballynacregga Red in 31.94, ahead of Ryan Horgan and Million Dollar Baby in 32.50.

Claiming victory in the 138cm 1.10m was Ulster rider Elizabeth McCracken (U) after she delivered the only double clear in a time of 40.22. Conrad Sweeney (C) played it safe with Warwick Ginger and despite picking up one time penalty when clocking 52.09, he did enough for second place. Sam Widger (M) was fastest of the four-faulters in 35.20 for third, ahead of Charlie Flynn and Knud van Orchid’s who had one down in 35.72. Charlie Flynn also took fifth place with Harefield Diego, four faults in 37.19, while Elizabeth McCracken picked up another place, claiming sixth with Drumcaughey Diamond, four faults in 41.40.

In the 148cm 1.20m division, 11 double clears were delivered and taking the win was Gary Dooley (C) and Luitta, clocking 41.44. Second place was filled by Paddy Reape and Fernando (SIES) in 41.66, while in third was Alannah Fagan and Kilkillahara Beauty, in 42.63. Paddy Reape also accounted for fourth place with Invisible E Van Het Juxschot, clocking 42.83, ahead of Aoife Seery (L) and Parkroe Rio (7 YO), in 43.07. Completing the top six was Gary Dooley and Western Ranger, clear in 44.18.

In the Under 10 80cm, 11 double clears were delivered (see www.sjilive.ie).

Claiming victory in the Children On Horses 1.20m decider was Cian McMunn and Captain Marko, clear in 27.71, ahead of Sam Widger and Grantstown Charmer, who also delivered a clear in 29.69. Ted Fagan took third place with Bella M, clear in 34 seconds, while in fourth was Harry Rush and Beach Buggy, four faults in 33.29. Juliette McIntosh (COH/JU) also had one on the ground with Carneyhaugh Quantum, four faults in 34.21. Ted Fagan picked up sixth place when he had two on the ground with Ballycarrick Lass, in a time of 35.20.

Galway Equestrian action

On Sunday, the action moved to Galway Equestrian for the second round of this new series. Leading the victory lap in the 128cm 1m was Charlie Flynn and Penchwintan Glynle, coming home clear in 31.51 seconds. Claiming the runner-up spot was Alayna Hawkins and Ballynacregga Red, who also delivered a clear in a time of 34.20.

Kate Hurley and Pallas Fondi added to their leaderboard tally, claiming third, clear in 35.97, while in fourth was Lucia Keane and Ravara Mohawk on four faults in 33.58. Accounting for fifth place was Ellie Sheane and Newhaven Nikita, 23 faults in a time of 68.29. Fastest of the four-faulters in the first round was Alayna Hawkins and Carraghy Apollo for sixth.

In the 128cm U10 80cm, six of the 16 starters delivered double clear rounds (see www.sjilive.ie).

Win for Flynn

It was a good day for Charlie Flynn as he went on to claim victory in the 138cm 1.10m division. Riding Knud van Orchids, he was the only double clear in the four-way jump-off in 31.79 seconds. Cian McMunn and ET Hop De Naelle took second on four faults in 32.38, ahead of Conrad Sweeney and Warwick Ginger, four faults in 35.04. Fourth place was filled by Isolde Jane Tivy and Knocknahorgan Velvet, who incurred a technical error.

Winner of the 148cm 1.20m division was Holly Maher and Boulabeha’s Little Princess, when they delivered the only double clear in the five-way jump off in 40.64. Mary Fitzgerald and Rathduff Good Guy R came closest with one on the ground in 38.29 for second. Kate Lynch and Lahorna You Two were fractions behind in a time of 38.41 for third, ahead of Mary Fitzgerald and Renkum Fifty Fifty on 12 faults in 47.52. Kate Lynch and CQS Quality Cagney claimed fifth when they booked their place in the jump-off.

Winner of the Children on Horses 1.10m was Lily P. Slattery’s Captain Candy Man, while, Cian McMunn and Captain Marko claimed the 1.20m.