29 Jul Top-Class Competition as Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour Moves to Tattersalls
The Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour made its latest stop at the prestigious Tattersalls venue, where all three divisions served up thrilling competition and standout performances.
1.35m – Victory for Army Equitation School
Sponsored by Aloga Auction, the 1.35m class attracted a strong field of 67 combinations, with 13 producing impressive double clears. Leading the charge was Lt. Michaeli Byrne of the Army Equitation School, who clinched victory aboard HHS Clinstown, stopping the clock at 31.67 seconds. The 14-year-old gelding, bred by the late Ita Brennan, is by OBOS Quality 004 out of a Cavalier Royale mare, MHS Kilkenny Lady.
Leah Stack delivered a strong performance to finish second with Imcarthina (31.75) and also placed fourth on BP Tiny Dancer (32.47). Splitting her placings was Jonathan Smyth, who rode Crystal Graf to third place with a time of 32.13.
Darragh Ryan also featured prominently, taking joint fifth with both As You Want and Millie MF, each finishing clear in 32.61. The leading young rider prize went to Niamh McEvoy, who guided CSF Zurich to tenth place with a faultless round in 35.13.
1.20m – Amateur Rider Laura Walsh Steals the Show
The Paul Curtis-sponsored 1.20m class saw 79 starters and 37 double clears, with Laura Walsh emerging victorious. The amateur rider posted a winning time of 36.82 on her homebred mount, Ballinaguilkey Heritage.
Cian Byrne claimed second and the young rider prize for the second consecutive week, this time aboard Larina Cruise (37.67). Charles O’Reilly Hyland and his six-year-old horse took third with 37.76, followed closely by Alex O’Connor and Cassido in fourth (38.35).
Emily Moloney returned to form with a fifth-place finish on Cruising On the Rider (40.17), while Patrick Whelan and Altitu completed the top six in 40.54.
1.10m – Double Success for the Walshe Sisters
In the Horse Shuttle-sponsored 1.10m class, it was a family affair as Laura Walshe again led the way with Ballinaguilkey Heritage, posting the winning time of 39.12. Her sister, Lisa Doyle (AA), followed closely behind in second on Ballinaguilkey Dignified, clear in 42.21.
Young rider Brona Keane took third with Krafty Krackers (43.20), while junior rider Heidi Smyth finished fourth aboard the promising five-year-old Borris Candy Girl (45.62).
Jordan Parr claimed fifth with Irresistible (47.12), ahead of junior rider Tom Aita Tagle, who rounded out the top six on Arrivederci (48.65).
With high-calibre jumping, emerging young talent, and strong performances from amateurs and professionals alike, the Tattersalls leg of the Leinster Summer Tour was a resounding success. All eyes now turn to the next leg, where riders will once again battle it out for top honours.