22 May Great start to the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour at Barnadown Showjumping
**The opening round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour drew a strong turnout last Friday at Barnadown, with 121 entries vying for top honours. The competition was fierce, with the top six riders finishing within just 28 seconds of each other and 56 combinations producing double clears—a testament to the high standard on display.
Taking the win and the lion’s share of the €2,000 prize fund was Molly Hughes Bravo, who partnered the Maurice Devlin-owned HHS Ice Flo to a swift clear in 26.71 seconds. Hot on her heels was Sven Hadley, finishing in 27.06 aboard the seven-year-old Maximum Numero Too HSH, to take second place. Jason Foley also pushed hard for the win, but his time of 27.10 with Casia Z secured him third.
Sophie Richards followed closely in fourth, clocking 27.69 with the promising seven-year-old Havana MK. Hadley returned to the placings again, this time finishing fifth on Phenomena Bleu VDM with an identical time of 27.69. Rounding out the top six was Molly Hughes Bravo once more, this time aboard HHS Mercedes, stopping the clock at 27.70.
*1.20m
In a competitive 1.20m , which also featured the Leinster Young Rider League, Kyle McLaughlin delivered a commanding performance, claiming both first and second place out of 31 double clears. Riding Fernanda 22, McLaughlin set an unbeatable time of 31.34 seconds to take the win. The 12-year-old mare is by Flipper D’Elle and out of What Else, a mare by Con Air.
Not settling for just the top spot, McLaughlin also secured second place aboard Cantara 115, finishing just behind his winning time at 31.75 seconds.
Pat Sheahan Jnr and Coille More Q followed closely in third with a time of 32.05, while Jenny Connors took fourth on Fortnight, clocking in at 33.88. Leading junior rider of the class was Emma Barrett, finishing fifth with Electra B in 34.81 seconds. Rounding out the top six was another amateur competitor, Lorraine Younge, who crossed the line in 35.78 aboard Belfieldflight.
Gemma Drennan Takes Top Spot in 1.10m Mervue League Amid Massive Field
*1.10m
The 1.10m Mervue League — including the Leinster Young Rider League — drew a huge entry of 94 combinations, with amateur riders sweeping the podium. Fastest of the clear rounds was AA rider Gemma Drennan aboard Cool Finesse, finishing in a sharp time of 25.09 seconds.
Familiar face Marie Hartley (AA) claimed second with Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, just behind in 25.87, while Lisa Doyle (AA) took third riding Ballinaguilkey Dignified, clear in 27.44.
Brona Keane was the top-performing young rider, finishing fourth with Krafty Krackers in 28.61. Junior rider Tabitha Kyle slotted into fifth on her father Mark’s five-year-old Ottani Z, with a clear round in 29.31. Young rider Matthew Kelly completed the top six with Fanlehane Nariah, posting a time of 32.60.