Pony Spring Tour
Kernans And Ravensdale

Pony riders from all corners of Ireland converged on Ravensdale for the first leg of the Spring Tour. This league equates to the Chippison League used by the horses and saw the entries increase by nearly 65% on 2009. This year sees the Spring Tour being used as a means of qualification for those riders wishing to represent Ireland in Fontainebleau in April, it will also prepare riders for the Premier Tour which follows in May and for RDS qualifiers.

The 128 1metre Spring Tour saw a field of 36 starters from which 13 made it into the jump off over Tom Holdens excellent courses. Twelve of these combinations jumped clear in the jump off so it was the clock which separated them in the end. Quickest past the post was Fergus Curran riding ‘Lenamore Mini Metro’ in a time of 26.64, narrowly beating Anne Marie Dunne aboard ‘Snapwater Jack’ who stopped the beam on 26.95. Third and fourth places went to Susan Fitzpatrick riding ‘Lisard Bulladh Bos’ stopping the clock at 27.13 just ahead of her other pony ‘The Silver Legend’ whose time was 27.46. Taking fifth place was Cormac Foley aboard ‘Little Jack Spratt’ in a time of 28.71 with Claire Conlon taking over her brothers ride on ‘Midget on A Mission’ finishing in a time of 29.24 to claim sixth place.

26 started in the 138 1.10 Spring Tour where 10 made it into the jump off where only three managed a double clear. The winner was Aoife McDonagh riding ‘Tiny Tuxedo’ who rode a very athletic round having nearly got embroiled in a bush whilst on the course, she broke the beam in 28.06 seconds ahead of Kerry Taggart and ‘Sakama Chezni’ whose time was 29.07. Third went to the new partnership of Cara Mooney and ‘Ballinamurra Lightning Fire’ in a time of 30.81 with fourth place being filled by Aoife Dooley on ‘Kildea Hero’ who rolled a pole for four faults in a time of 25.02. Paraic Kenny riding ‘Little Pearl’ finished in fifth place also with four faults and a time of 26.81 leaving Rachel Houston and her new pony ‘Woodfield Superstar’ to take sixth place also with four faults and a time of 26.88.

The 148 1.20 class which is being used as a qualifier for CSIP ponies wishing to go to Fontainebleau saw 45 starters from which only 6 managed to jump clear over a strong technical track. Kate McDonagh emerged as the winner riding ‘Berthas Clover’ jumping clear in a time of 33.88, just beating her other ride, the seven year old stallion ‘Imagine If One’ which won the 6 year old Grand Prix in Fontainebleau last year, also jumping clear in 34.94 seconds. Third place was filled by Cali O’Donnell riding Michael Kelly’s ‘Attyrory Goldstar’ who went clear in a time of 34.96 with fourth going to Kelly Taggart riding ‘Dream Cruise’ this pair having four faults in a time of 43.27. Jeremy Sweetnam aboard his mother ‘Allies Fear Baoi’ picked up 11 faults in a time of 47.66 to take fifth with Shane Kenny claiming the last of the points on ‘More Clover’ having had 12 faults in a time of 37.29.

With a late finish on Saturday night the riders moved to Kernans for the next leg on Sunday where once again Tom Holden designed great courses.

The 128’s had 29 starters all trying for valuable league points from which seven made their way into the jump off all of whom jumped clear again. Sophie Buller was in great form and took first and second place on ‘Star Spangled Banner’ in 30.79 seconds and ‘Super Sonic’ in 30.95 seconds leaving Susan Fitzpatrick aboard ‘The Silver Legend’ in third place with a time of 31.40. Fourth place went to Claire Conlon on ‘Midget on a Mission’ in 31.80 seconds with Holly Sweetnam taking over the ride from her big sister Ellen claiming fifth place on ‘The Little Hero’ in 32.60. Fionn Clarke took sixth place with ‘Alloy’ in 32.61 .
24 tried their hand in the 138 1.10 class with 6 jumping clear and into the jump off. Another new partnership of Thomas Foley and ‘My Little Lady’ were the winners jumping clear in a time of 39.37. Second place went to Matt Garrigan riding ‘Ballyfruit Fance Free’ also clear in a time of 39.95 with Kerry Taggart earning herself some valuable points taking third place with ‘Trendy Royale’ four faults in 34.11. Kerry also took fourth spot with ‘Sakama Chezni’ four faults in 35.21 with Aoife Dooley taking fifth and sixth places with ‘Kildea Hero’ four faults in 36.34 and ‘Daddy DJ’ four faults in 40.74.

The 148 1.20 started with 35 riders with four clear rounds to go into the jump off. Mark Murphy riding ‘Shandor’ claimed the red rosette jumping clear in a time of 33.87 with Yvonne Whiteside taking second aboard ‘Ballydoolagh Dreamer’ clear in a time of 35.35. Roisin Kenny riding ‘Blessington Grange Mist’ took third place with four faults in a time of 35.96 and Kate McDonagh took fourth place on ‘Bertas Clover’ deciding not to go in the jump off.

Kernans held one of the four 148 1.30 classes sponsored by HSI as a qualification class for the team ponies for Fontainebleau. Fourteen riders started in this class where there were two clear rounds going into the jump off. First to go was Tom Foley who jumped a lovely clear round aboard ‘Dibidoe’ in a time of 30.98 to take first place ahead of Paraic Kenny who also had a great clear round on ‘Cappagh Romeo’ in a slightly slower time of 32.48.

The next leg of the Spring Tour moves to Broadmeadows on 28th February and those in search of valuable league points should make a date in their diary.

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