Frank Curran is certainly making up ground in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring tour as he clinched another win in the round at Barnadown last Sunday.

Riding Oliver Twister, he recorded his second consecutive win, when leaving all the poles in place in a time of 42.77 seconds. Last weekend the pairing claimed the win in Kernans and they also led the victory lap in the opening round at JAG Equestrian.

The result at Barnadown places Curran on 30 points, just eight points off the current leader, Sven Hadley who was competing in Millstreet.

Owned by Heffron Equine and bred by Sydney Cranston from Monaghan, Oliver Twister (ISH) is by the Voltaire-sired Oliver and out of the Don Juan De La Bouverie-sired dam, Skerrymores Don One. The chestnut gelding was originally bought by Harvey Smith (IRL) at Cavan Horse Sales as a four-year-old and was campaigned for a short time by Francis Connors in 2016 before being taken over by Curran.

COMPETITIVE JUMP-OFF

Despite being a busy weekend for show jumping events, there was a good turn out in Barnadown, with 38 combinations battling it out over the John Doyle-designed course. Of those 38, eight proceeded to the timed round and six delivered double clears.

It was a very competitive class, with the top six combinations all coming home within the 46 second mark.

There was no shortage of support for local rider, Patrick Hickey as he partnered Quandurina to a clear in 42.92 for second place and as a result also took the leading young rider prize. Hickey, comes from a family steeped in show jumping history. His uncle, Michael Hickey from Kildare, jumped on the Aga Khan team in 1975, and Patrick is a first cousin of international show jumper Mark McAuley.

Quandurina (HOLST), is a 12-year-old mare, by Quidamderevel out of Handura. Under Hickey’s command the pairing have built up a impressive record in international competition. Last year the formed part of the team that finished equal second in the nations cups team in Hagen.

HAYES IN TOP FORM

Tipperary native, Seamus Hayes took third place with Kavalli Di Magico, when they crossed the line in 43.72. Owned by Seamus’ partner Maria Costello, Kavalli Di Magico is a eight-year-old stallion, by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof and out of the Flamenco De Semilly-sired dam, Wameco.

The stallion was previously campaigned by Czech rider Jaroslav Sima and was taken over by Hayes in 2016. They first made their appearance in Oliva and have proved successful in the aged classes, qualifying for the seven and eight-year-olds in Dublin Horse Show last year.

Reigning Spring Tour Pro Am Champions, Vickie Anderson and Zack put their first points on the board. Just their second outing this year, they crossed the line in 44.83 for eventual fourth.

Sean Monaghan’s clear with the Paddy Quinlan-owned Simone (Spartacus x Campeona) in 45.14 saw him slot into fifth, ahead of Wexford rider Michaeli Byrne and King Diego, who clocked 45.42. Owned by Michael Byrne, King Diego is a nine-year-old gelding by Ricardo Z out of the Kildalton Kings sired dam, Lucky Sheeba.

In the 1.30m class, young riders dominated the placings, filling the top three slots. Taking the win was Mark Finnerty riding Emma. Edward Doyle Jnr took second place with Billy Salsa, while third place belonged to Liam Deery and Emico D.D.