Action in the Connolly’s Red Mills, Showjumpers Club Spring Tour intensified last weekend with John Floody taking the win in the first of a double bill at Broadmeadows on St Patrick’s day. Riding Bronson De Reve, Floody lodged his second win of the series making him a real contender in this league.

Owned by Eileen Duggan, Bronson De Reve is an 11-year-old gelding by Hermes De Reve out of Oktober. A loyal servant to Floody, the combination have clocked up a series of impressive results up to Grand Prix level. Among their good results was a sixth place finish in the international seven and eight-year-olds’ final at the Dublin Horse Show.

A total of 22 lined out at the Ashbourne venue and from these, seven combinations proceeded to the timed round.

First to go in the jump-off, Sven Hadley had the difficult task of pathfinder. Riding Jarlath Fahy’s Morabito, he opted for the more careful approach and it paid off as he lodged a clear in 40.21s for eventual fourth place.

Next to go with Bronson De Reve, John Floody knew what was required to reduce the target. Setting off strong, he made up time from the start, but it was the tight turn to the double and then inside to the oxer that saw him cut time. With his foot firmly to the floor and a tight line to the vertical at seven and then home, Floody set the unbeatable time of 35.37s.

Hadley came close

Anxious to keep pole position on the leader board, Sven Hadley took every opportunity to catch Floody on his second mount Quanbell, but a clear in 36.76s would only suffice for the runner-up spot on this occasion.

Riding Chanel IV, Shannon MacKenzie tried hard to demote Floody from the lead, but despite a series of good turns she was just not quick enough across the ground and her time of 38.26s saw her take third place.

Double-handed in the jump-off, Wesley Ryan delivered his best result aboard Quinar de Cassini when they crossed the line with nothing to add in 42.39s for fifth place.

Young Kilkenny rider, Jack Ryan was up for the challenge as he followed the same path as the leader with Cavalier Teaca, but four faults at the vertical, fence eight, saw his hopes of a win dashed. A fast time however of 35.88s saw him slot into sixth place and along with this, he picked up the leading your rider prize.

Wesley Ryan also took seventh place when he faulted with his second mount Bernhard in a time of 40.19s. A single time fault kept Jamie Garland out of the jump-off and as a result he slotted into eighth place.

The Kildare rider did not go home too disappointed as he claimed the leading Pro-Am prize of the round.

Pender takes top prize

On Sunday, victory in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour belonged to Mikey Pender and HHS Sevenhouses. Pender also took the leading young rider prize, the second one of the tour.

HHS Sevenhouses is a seven-year-old by Heritage Fortunus out of the Ard VDL Douglas sired mare HHS Daisy.

The gelding has a consistent record in the aged classes with much success last year in the Studbook series.

Fresh from his win on Friday, John Floody’s experience showed as he partnered Brian Kieran’s HTS Blackrock into second place.

Jake Hunter put his first points on the board when he partnered Robinstown Lux Lovely into third, ahead of Jonathan Andrew and The Hurricane.

Accounting for fifth was Tholm Keane and BMH Big Time, While Kenneth Graham and George took sixth place.

Sven Hadley added to his leader board tally when accounting for seventh place with Sumas Tabloubet. Floody returned with his winning mount from Friday, Bronson De Reve, with whom he finished eighth. Winner of the Pro-Am prize was Vicky Anderson.

Earlier in the day at Cavan, Corinne Hyde on Lux Like Clover took the 1.30m Championship, while Emma Jackson and Amy B emerged as winners of the 1.20m Championship. Leading the victory lap in the 1.30m Balmoral Qualifier was Hannah Patterson on her own Daberlina M.

NOTE: Combinations scores or times at Cavan were not available at time of going to print.