Millstreet 11th March 2006

The first leg of the Guidam Spring Tour, sponsored by Knightfield Equestrian in conjunction with The Showjumpers Club, got under way at Millstreet. Supported by Darragh Equestrian Solutions and Royston Products, featuring the Funnell Range and now in it's second year, this popular series has adopted a league format. 2000 euro is on offer in each leg and a further 2000 euro added for the Leading Rider and Runner Up of this 6 leg series.

Despite the gusty and showery weather 23 of the original 26 declarations tackled the challenging but fair James Tarrant designed course. Taking into consideration the fact that it is still early in the season and that there was a large contingent of Young Riders he anticipated well the dynamics of the class producing a 4 way a jump off. The 10 fence 13 obstacle track set at 135cm consisted of 8 Verticles, 4 Oxers, 1 Triple Bar, a Double and a Treble combination, of which, the middle element of the treble, an Oxer, caused the most grief.

First in was local Young Rider Sean Walsh with Arne Karlsen's Lokota by Athlet Z who gave an impressive performance during his round but was caught out at the 8th fence, an oxer, to return a very respectable 4 faults at this level. Following on, 2 more of the 12 Young Riders entered, Adrian Sheehan with Silver Prince, Killian Brown and Kilmoylan Warrior were deprived of clear rounds, as were some of the more experienced Grand Prix riders.

It wasn't until 8th to go Eddie Moloney and Master Ballinteskin by Master Imp produced the first clear and shortly after him Corinne Hyde riding her father's Awbeg Duchess secured a jump off. The third clear was produced by Tholm Keane riding RonanTynan's Warrenstown You 2 with the last clear being produced by Co Clare based Joan Green and her own Bouncing Royal to give that four way jump off.

The jump off course was reduced to 6 fences, 7 efforts, with the 1st part of the treble, a vertical being removed, leaving an oxer in and vertical out. An extra oxer was added as the last fence.

Eddie Moloney and Master Ballinteskin set out as pathfinders at a formidable pace clear coming to the last but returning 4 faults in a time of 37.58. Next in Corinne Hyde with Awbeg Duchess had a cut but again returned with one down in a time of 38.93. Tholm Keane with the relatively inexperienced Warrenstown You 2 set off with more caution than their predecessors, producing the only double clear of the class, a full 2 seconds slower than Eddie Moloney's tally in a time of 39.58 to take up pole position. Last to go with her least experienced mount was Joan Green and Bouncing Royal who despite her reputation demanded little more from her horse than a cruise of the track again taking one down in the slowest time of 45.53 to slot into 4th place. Being the fastest with 4 faults in the first round was she also placed 5th with her fathers horse Ban Diamond with Young Rider Killian Brown and Kilmoylan Warrior in 6th place and also the Young Rider's Honours.

Momento Guidam Grand Prix Spring Tour 2006 Royston Rugs sponsored by Knightfield Equestrian and Darragh Equestrian Solutions were presented to the winner and the best young rider. Best Turned Out, sponsored by the Showjumpers Club, was awarded to Alanca Z and Sinead Kennedy.