22 May Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour – Round Two at Wexford Equestrian
Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour – Round Two at Wexford Equestrian
The second leg of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour took place last Saturday at Wexford Equestrian, drawing strong entries across all divisions as top combinations battled for top honours.
1.35m – Sponsored by Mary Barry’s Restaurant
This division also featured a €250 bonus for 7/8-year-olds, generously sponsored by Quigley Equine Dentistry.
A total of 25 combinations lined out in the 1.35m, with Francis Connors clinching victory aboard RNH Valenton, owned by Raymond McChesney. The pair produced a double clear in an impressive 47.12 seconds. The ten-year-old gelding, bred by Norman Hammond, is by Van Gogh out of RNH Beach Ball, a mare by Beach Ball. This result follows a strong fourth-place finish in the Connolly’s Redmills/Munster Region Grand Prix.
Junior rider Conor Brennan was hot on Connors’ heels, stopping the clock at 48.28 seconds with MHS Jersey Girl for second place.
Young rider Billy Sinnott claimed third with Ridge Douglas Lady, clear in 48.97, and also secured fourth riding Macgyver, clear in 58.87.
Francis Connors returned to the line-up to take fifth on Mister-Go, an eight-year-old owned by Ann Connors, finishing as the fastest four-faulter in 55.25.
Orla Queally and Kilnamac Maud, owned by her mother Miriam, rounded out the top six with a two-fault round in 52.99.
1.20m – Sponsored by MK Sporthorses
This competitive class featured 35 starters and served as a Young Rider Qualifier. It also included a €250 bonus for six-year-olds, courtesy of BLF Sporthorses.
Young rider and last year’s champion, Cian Byrne, topped the leaderboard with the six-year-old Larina, producing a flawless double clear in 33.06 seconds.
Junior rider Kate Walsh played it safe for second with Redshire Molly, finishing clear in 37.87.
Zoe Mehigan and Escarda U claimed third in 42.40, ahead of Patrick Byrne on the five-year-old BGS Mammy’s Boy, clear in 43.05.
Amateur rider Enda Ivanoff (AA) followed in fifth with Nubalia DHF, clear in 44.93, while junior rider Ella Kenny and Ragazza Di Flamenco secured sixth, also jumping clear in 45.21.
1.10m – Sponsored by Thomson Sport Horses
Kate Walsh continued her strong form, claiming the win in the 1.10m with a speedy double clear in 32.96. The class included a Young Rider Qualifier and a €250 bonus for the leading five-year-old, generously provided by showjumper Paddy O’Donnell.
Billy Sinnott took runner-up honours with Glyntown Blake, finishing clear in 34.58.
Junior rider Ava Kelly placed third with SHL Canbetamed in 38.02, followed by amateur rider Hannah McNiven (AA) and Hey You, fourth in 38.46.
Paul Sarsfield and Drumgoole Lass posted a clear in 43.01 for fifth place.
Rounding out the top six was Billy Sinnott once again, this time with the five-year-old CBI Chamano, whose double clear in 46.40 also earned the Leading Young Horse Bonus.