IN a double bill of the Mervue Equine Leinster Tour, riders were out in force at Coilog Equestrian on Friday and also on Sunday at Ballivor show.

At Coilog, victory in the 1.35m division belonged to Lt. James Whyte when he partnered Carrigoran to a double clear in 31.81secs. Not content with the win, he also took fifth place with Seapatrick, coming home with nothing to add in a time of 35.04. This 16-year-old mare is by Chippson out of the Coille More Hill-sired Collie More Villa.

Wicklow’s Brendan Murphy chased Whyte home, but despite a gallant attempt, a clear in 32.31 proved enough for the runner-up spot. Murphy did not go home disappointed as he also took third place with the Edward Kelly-owned Cassie’s Dream, clear in 33.36.

Kilkenny’s Vincent Byrne also kept all the poles in place with Jackson Vive, but in a slower time of 34.12 for eventual fourth. Completing the top six line-up was Sean Kavanagh and Carousel Gold, clear in 38.66.

Starzak wins

In the 1.20m division a total of 58 combinations went to post and from those, 34 delivered double clears. Fastest of those 24 and taking the win was young rider Wiktoria Starzak and Alfadaeo, when clear in 36.46. Gillian Bond followed closely behind with Vicomte DH Z, in 36.87 for second place. Amateur rider Stephen Nolan (AA) and Caricell Supercharge, clocked 37.76 for third place, ahead of Brendan Murphy and Castlelawn Diamond Junior in 38.72. Less than a second separated the next placing as Barbara Allen posted 39.40 aboard Carnlea Beach for fifth place. A clear in 39.52 aboard Escarda U ensured young rider Cornelius Brennan sixth place.

McDermott triumphs

Victory in the 1.10m section belonged to amateur rider Aileen McDermott (AA) and Amber Balou when they delivered a double clear in 22.81. Fellow amateur rider Stephen Nolan picked up another prize when he took the runner-up spot with Caricell Supercharge, clear in 25.05. Young riders accounted for the next three placings in the line-up. Taking third place was Eoin Halpin and Action Candy, clear in 25.18, ahead of Ciara Kelly and Annestown Clover Concorde, clear in 26.44. Fifth place belonged to Grace Dehaene and Derrypatrick Dream when they came home clear in 30.63. Slotting into sixth was Sara Pothman Cullen, clear with her five-year-old Porch Party in 33.60.