The Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour came to an exciting finish last weekend, with Sven Hadley retaining his title. Along with the title, Hadley took home a prize fund of €2,000. Over the course of the league, the Galway rider recorded three wins and was placed in five other rounds to finish on a total of 49 points, 19 points ahead of his closest rival.

Taking the €700 runner-up prize and the Forans-sponsored leading Pro Am title was Frank Curran, while the third place prize of €300 went to Jessica Burke. Sean Monaghan was named leading young rider and for his efforts he won a tonne of horse feed from Red Mills.

Warrington

On Saturday, victory in the penultimate round at Warrington belonged to Waterford native Paddy O’Donnell. Last to go in the 16 way jump-off aboard Minority Report, O’Donnell galloped home clear in a time of 36.19 to take his first win of this series.

Based in Kilfarrasy, Tramore, O’Donnell is no stranger to success having been crowned National Champion in 2013. Along with national success, he has racked up a series of good results on the international circuit up to CSIO five-star level, which include wins in Dublin and Hickstead.

Working alongside his father Paddy Sr and his partner Maria Dagg, he currently has over 20 horses in training. The family also farm cattle and breed a small amount of horses.

Owned by Joanna Rimmer, the 16- year-old gelding Minority Report, who was previously called Finnegans Whiskers, was campaigned by his owner on the eventing circuit in the UK up to CIC3*. Last year, under O’Donnell’s command, the combination finished second at Cavan International, seventh in the Derby Qualifier at Hickstead and sixth in the Derby.

Speaking about the horse, O’Donnell said: “I saw this horse in Goresbridge as a four-year-old and I really wanted to buy him. At the time, he was out of my budget, so Jo (Rimmer) who is a family friend bought him for eventing.

“She knew how disappointed I was at the time and so she told me when she was finished with him, that he would come back to me. She was true to her word and I am glad to say we have won a good few classes together since his return to Ireland.”

As in previous years, the penultimate round in Warrington, which is home to the Moloney family, attracted a large following. This year, 52 combinations declared to jump the Pat Drennan-designed course.

The first double clear was delivered by Anna Carway. Riding the 10 year-old Dutch bred mare Claricella (Clarimo x U-Mette), Carway answered all in the questions in a time of 40.58, which would later see her take third place. Carway, who is based in Warrington, is studying in UCD and is on a sports scholarship. The combination have just returned from a successful trip at Bonheiden and the youth show at Opglabbeek in Belgium. Third place went to Darragh Ryan and All Gold Des Isles, who delivered a clear in 39.27.

Owned by Rosalie Biedron, All Gold Des Isles is an eight-year-old French-bred by Nasville and out of the Apache D’Adries-sired mare, On my Heart des Isles. The pair have just returned from the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera.

Coilog final

Winner in Mullingar the previous week, Jessica Burke and Clonguish Vivaro doubled up when they led the victory lap after a 15-horse jump-off in Coilog last Sunday. Burke will be pleased with this result, as she plans to move the nine-year-old gelding (Vivaldo Van Het Costersveild x Clonguish Gold) up to National Grand Prix level.

Sean Monaghan added to his tally when he piloted the Paddy Quinlan-owned Simone (Spartacus x Campeona) into second. Monaghan, who is from Kilcock, is 17 years old and is currently a participant on the SJI Young Riders academy. He is trained by Greg Broderick, and mentored by Peter Smyth. He was part of the silver winning team at the European Championships in Millstreet in 2014.

Claiming third place was John Mulligan riding Cornetta 10. Owned by Donal Cadden, the 15 year-old mare is by Cornet Obolensky and out of Corrado sired mare, Caravelle. Burke again slotted into fourth place with Norway Venture.