13 Jul Jack Ryan claims the 1.3
Competitive Rounds and Clear Performances in Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour
Without a doubt the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour at Bannow and Rathangan showcased top-tier competition across the 1.35m, 1.20m, and 1.10m classes, with impressive performances from both seasoned professionals and rising young riders.
Jack Ryan Takes 1.35m Victory in Style
Sponsored by Trinity Motors and Artic Tack Stud, the 1.35m class saw 25 combinations go to post, with nine producing double clear rounds. It was Jack Ryan who came out on top aboard Calgrafi Dwb, a 10-year-old mare owned by Northlawn Farm. The pair delivered a foot-perfect performance, stopping the clock in a blistering 38.10 seconds to secure the win.
Close behind was Francis Connors, riding RNH Valentino to second place with a time of 39.11 seconds. Connors also took fourth with Newmarket Darsouilles, completing in 41.83, while Elliott Reeves and Gorsehill Ruby split his placings to finish third in 41.44.
The top six were rounded out by Gemma Phelan on Greenacres Cicero in 43.14, and Sarah Connell with Gliding Light, who crossed the line in 44.56.
Murphy and Byrne Battle for 1.20m Top Spot
In the Sue’s Coffee-sponsored 1.20m class, ten double clears kept the pressure high. Ultimately, it was Brendan Murphy who topped the leaderboard with a slick round in 36.59 seconds.
Just fractions behind, Cian Byrne—last year’s overall series winner—secured second place and the Young Rider prize, riding the promising six-year-old Larina Cruise to a time of 36.76 seconds.
Kyle McLaughlin and Cantara 115 took third (38.29), followed by Deirdre Doyle and Kancruise in fourth (38.51). Local rider Patrick Byrne completed the top six with two solid rounds—fifth on Oughterard Diva (42.52) and sixth on BGS Quality Amber (48.82).
Amateurs Shine in 1.10m Neville Hotels League
The 1.10m Mervue League, sponsored by Neville Hotels, was dominated by amateur riders, who claimed five of the top six spots. Laura Walshe (AA) emerged as the winner aboard her homebred Ballinaguilkey Heritage, delivering a flawless round in 31.57 seconds.
Veteran league competitor Marie Hartley (AA) followed closely in second (31.93), while Hannah McNiven (AA) and Odetta secured third in 32.15.
Young rider Jack Murphy took fourth with Sam Salad (33.00), just ahead of Ashley O’Sullivan (AA) and Dowdstown Quality (33.88). Leonie Dunne (A) rounded out the top six on Cavalion 26, finishing in 33.94.