Overseas riders got off to a good start at Mullingar International CSI** with Scottish rider Aileen Craig leading the victory lap in Saturday’s opening 1.25m small tour. Riding Gunar S, she lodged the fastest clear in 62.88 seconds to take the winner’s share of the €1,000 on offer in the Hadley Sport Horses-sponsored class. Owned by Vicky Laing and Ben Lain, Gunar S is a 10-year-old gelding by Cavalier (Mister) out of Landetto.

English rider Annabel Shields, winner of the Balmoral Grand Prix, took the runner-up spot with My Casall when clear in 63.14. In third was Nano Healy and Trickin Around in 63.70 while Lee Carey and MT Cruise took fourth in 65.45. Fifth place belonged to Cormac Rafferty and Radolin Lady in 66.82. Tori Dunn slotted into sixth place with Victoria Z in 67.59.

Last year’s Grand Prix winner Jordan Coyle took the honours in the Grange Motors 1.30m Silver/Gold Tour. Riding Jim Maneely’s Amigo VH Winkenshof Z, he went clear in 55.78. By Amoroso Van De Helle, the nine-year-old gelding has been very consistent for Coyle this season clocking up three wins in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour.

Kilkenny’s Ger O’Neill didn’t hang about with Jonathan Andrew’s 10-year-old The Hurricane and took the runner-up place, clear in 56.15. In third was Angela Percy on Westland Ruby, clear in 56.88, ahead of Kenneth Graham and Lenamore Donnatella in 57.62. Sven Hadley took his place in the line-up when fractions of a second behind with Vvood Stock De Breve in 57.71 for fifth while Vincent Byrne and Caugherty slotted into sixth, clear in 58.31.

The Forever Equestrian 1.40m Grand Prix saw former World Champion Dermott Lennon ride to victory when fastest of the 20-way jump-off with Valent in 37.17. Lennon was chased home by Lt David Power and Drumiller Lough, clear in 37.56. Speed merchant John Floody galloped home with Mise Le Meas in 38.72 for third ahead of Edward Doyle and Chirokko M in 39.12. Alan O’Regan and Liberation crossed the line with nothing to add in 39.24, ahead of young rider Michael Pender and HHS Hercules in 39.46.

Shields took the honours in Sunday’s Jim Derwin-sponsored accumulator class. Riding My Casall, she set the maximum score of 65 in 52.59. Michael Pender picked up another rosette with Acorad 3 in 52.77 for second. Hadley claimed third with Vvood Stock De Breve in 54.90, ahead of Nicholas Connors and Abordable Du Talus in 56.73. In fifth place was Suzanne Posnett riding Queen Of Clubs in 56.92. Jenny Rankin completed the top six when she partnered Enrico Blue to a maximum score in 57.27.

HOME SOIL

Victory in the Colortrend 1.40m Grand Prix qualifier remained on home soil as Geoff Curran lodged the winning round, clear in 68.29 aboard Shannondale Rahona. Pender slotted into second with HHS Hercules, clear in 72.24. Fellow young rider Jack Ryan accounted for third when clear with Cavalier Teaca in 73.33 ahead of James Hogg and Always On My Mind in 73.71. Curran also took fifth place with Seapatrick in 74.29 while David Corcoran and French Touch took sixth when clear in 74.93.

The Devenish Nutrition-sponsored Bet Showjumping Live final attracted 30 riders who battled it out for the €10,000 on offer. Taking the honours was Vincent Byrne riding Caugherty to a double clear in 40.86 seconds. Nano Healy and Trickin Around were fractions behind clear in 41.80, ahead of Ger O’Neill and the Hurricane who delivered a clear in 43.67. Christopher Megahey delivered the last double clear of the class with Charming Lady in 45.38 for eventual fourth. Fastest of the four-faulters in 50.37 and slotting into fifth place was Pender and Cardem Moon Beam, ahead of Gerard Clarke and Kellswater Crimson who clocked up 10 faults in 64.47.