John Floody is quickly gaining ground in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour as he lodged another win last Sunday, at Kernan’s Equestrian.

Riding his winning mount from Broadmeadows last weekend, Eileen Duggan’s Bronson De Reve, he took the spoils in the Glencarron Nursing Home sponsored class and with it added another 10 points to his leaderboard tally.

On duty course designer, Tom Holden set the track for the 32 starters and from those 12 proceeded to the jump-off course.

Speed merchant against the clock and first to go with Bronson De Reve, Floody’s experience showed as he made up time from fences one to two, this matched with a tight turn back to the double saw him set the unbeatable target of 35.79 seconds. Bronson De Reve is an 11-year-old gelding by Hermes De Reve out of Oktober.

Hermes De Reve was the former international mount of Clem McMahon, while the mare, Oktober, was campaigned by John Carey and later Eamon McGuirk.

Speaking after the class, Floody said: “ I am delighted for the owners of Bronson De Rev as they have been loyal supporters of mine and of show jumping for many years. Eileen herself is a keen amateur show jumper and last year she qualified for the RDS with Libero Flight. I am delighted that the horse is proving very consistent and the aim will be the national Grand Prix.”

Andrew improves

Placed fourth in the round at Cavan, Jonathan Andrew improved on his performance when he partnered The Hurricane into the runner-up spot when clear in 39.44s.

In third place was Mary McShane and MMS Camilla when they crossed the line almost a second slower in 41.65s. Very little separated the next placing as Conor McEneaney galloped home aboard CMS Gunfire in a time of 41.94s for eventual fourth.

Current league leader, Galway rider Sven Hadley added valuable points to his tally when he took fifth place. Riding Why Not Fado, he was last of the double clears in 45.32s.

On his second mount, Sumas Taloubet, Hadley proved that the time could be beaten when clocking 35.25s, but four faults proved costly as he slotted into sixth place.

Gerard Clarke Jnr, riding Ardragh Stein, also lowered the target time when clocking 35.30s, but with one on the floor he finished in seventh.

Occupying eight place was William Greene and Aaron De Kalvarie also carrying four faults in 37.33s. Leading young rider of the round was Rebecca Kieran and leading Pro-Am was Vikki Anderson.

Ryan wins at maryville

In the south, at Maryville in Cork, another round of the tour was also taking place.

Winner of this round, following a great display of horsemanship, was young rider Jack Ryan.

Riding Cavalier Teaca, which is owned by his mother Marguerite, he lodged the winning round to claim his first win of the series.

This same combination finished sixth on Saint Patrick’s day in Broadmeadows. Cavalier Teaca is a 10-year-old mare by Glidawn Diamond out of the Cavalier Royale-sired mare Teaca.

This combination is no stranger to success with wins at home and abroad.

Last year they ended their season with a win in the 1.30m Grand Prix in the Owner’s Pony and Young Rider Charity show in Millstreet, before this they took second place in the Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix league in Cavan and Wexford.

Ryan was also in action the day before at Raheen Na Gun Stud competing in the CWD Pony Spring Tour with Sixmilewater Blaze.

Liam O’ Meara, who is lying on the top end of the leaderboard, added valuable points to his tally when he took the runner-up place with Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight.

Mikey Pender was also back in the ribbons when taking third with HHS California, while Jake Hunter and Robinson Lux Lovely slotted into fourth.

Tholm Keane and Future Storm accounted for fifth place.

Not content with third, young rider Mikey Pender returned to take sixth place with HHS Sevenhouses.

Liam O’ Meara and Kennys Flight accounted for seventh place, ahead of Joseph O’Brien and Legaland Lux Breaker. Leading young rider of the round was Jack Ryan, while Joseph O’ Brien took the leading Pro-Am prize.

Note: Official times or scores from Maryville where not available when going to print.