Local rider, Luke Garrigan was a popular winner of the Showjumpers’ Club Spring Tour on St Patrick’s Day at Killossery Lodge. Riding MHS La Scala, he was one of eight double clears from a 62 strong start-list, in a time of 33.70 seconds.

Along with his prize, he also claimed the Botanica International young rider for this round of the tour.

Owned by Garrigan, MHS La Scala (ISH) comes from a long line of show jumpers. Bred by the late Ita Brennan, the 11-year-old mare is by Verdi and out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam, Lady Ligustra. She is a half-sister to Ballypatrick Mystique (Heritage Fortunus), who was campaigned by Greg Broderick to Grand Prix level. Jack Ryan is also campaigning another half-brother, MHS Quinton, by Quintender.

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Close finish

Finishing a very close second, with less than one second between their times, was international event rider Cathal Daniels with Michelle Nelson’s Dartans Quality Brigade.

Waterford rider, Tholm Keane put his first points on the board, finishing third with Future Storm. Bred by Michael Cusack and owned by Diarmuid Hurley, the 11-year-old mare is by Future Trend out of the Cruising sired mare, Angel of Harlem. The dam, Angel of Harlem has produced seven foals that have gone on to either event or show jump.

Paul Carberry was also in the line-up when he claimed fourth place with Brandonview First Edition. Bred by Seamus Drea from Kilkenny, the nine-year-old gelding is by Douglas Cavalier out of Brandonview Lady (Balda Beau). Carberry was fastest of the four faulters, with his second mount Cranny West, taking ninth place.

Cranny West, who is only a seven-year-old is one to watch on the circuit. Bred by Clare man, Flan Mc Namara, the gelding is by Mc Namara’s stallion, Cranny Vol Clover and out of Cranny Diamond Coevers (Coevers Diamond Boy). Mc Namera has registered six other offspring from this dam, all by Cranny Vol Clover.

Aoife McCabe partnered Mona Lisa Quality into fifth place, when clear in 35.36. McCabe, who is from Stradbally East, Galway was part of the SJI Young Riders Academy in 2017. Still in her early 20s, her record sheet includes winning the 1.20m Young Rider final at the Dublin Horse Show in 2012 and fifth in the Young Rider Final at the Dublin Horse Show in 2013.

She also won the Billy Twomey Hitchmough Bursary class (1.20m) in Millstreet and in 2014 she won the 1.15m Young Rider Final at the Dublin Horse Show.

In 2016 she achieved her HSI Level Two coaching certificate.

Mona Lisa Quality is a well related seven-year-old Belgian warmblood mare. Bred by Quality Stud, she is by Nabab De Reve and out of the Clarence C sired mare, Havanna De La Vie. Aoife has campaigned the mare since April last year and has recorded a number of good results.

Jamie Landers and Valtor De Blagny added to their tally on the leader board, when they crossed the line, clear in 35.68 for sixth.

Winner of the round in Cavan, Californian native, Savannah Barry was last of the double clears with the nine-year-old gelding, Flambeau (Carambole x Jostella).

Barry, who is married to Kristopher Marshall, son of Irish show jumping legend, Harry Marshall is now based in County Antrim, having returned from Holland.

The gelding was bought in Holland as a five-year-old and Barry competed him in the young horse championships in Lanaken as a six-year-old. It was here that she also met Kristopher.

The Equijump proam of the round was, Jamie Garland riding Zedleppin.