Kill International host the second leg of the 2006 Guidam Spring Tour 19th March 2006

The second leg of the Guidam Spring Tour, sponsored by Knightfield Equestrian in conjunction with The Showjumpers Club and Kill International, got under way in Co Kildare today. Supported by Darragh Equestrian Solutions and Royston Products, featuring the Funnell Range it was Eddie Moloney who forged forwards to seize the leading position from Tholm Keane by one point. Now gaining even more popularity with competitors from every corner of Ireland it was to be Andrew Bourns" day with Caprice owned by his mother Deirdre who would steal all the honours.

A massive 52 of the 56 declarations took on the 12 fence 15 effort course of Seamus Casey who had the unenviable task of sorting the chaff from the wheat. And this he did using a combination of 7 verticals, 7 oxers 1 waterloo a double and a treble combination. Out of the 52 starters 20 made the cut to provide the jump off.

There was no shortage of big wigs either as the Army School of Equitation put out seven horses and three senior riders which earned 2 places in the final line up for Capt David O' Brien with Kilteely and Ringfort Cruise. Ronan McLoughlin, Joan Green, Padraic Judge and International Rider of the year Shane Breen all made it through to the second round. The track was unforgiving to the young riders today, not that one is being critical of its design, but only 2 young riders made it though to the jump off. Still early enough in the season this tour augers well for the future and will continue to be the breeding ground which will spawn our future talent.

The jump off course was reduced to 6 fences, 7 efforts. It claimed its victims from the start despatching the first 2 Liam Filan and KFG Anthony T and Declan Mc Garry with Carrow Diamond. The saddest moment though was with Always Cullahill and Shane Breen who had to be retired after 3 fences due to injury. The horse looked uncomfortable approaching the oxer at fence 7, may have over reached, forcing Breen to pull up and dismount before leaving the arena. Hopefully a full recovery will ensue. Never the less determined efforts were returned by Capt David O'Brien who on paper had all of the advantages with 3 in the jump off first going into the lead with Ringfort Cruise in 41.10 then to shave over 2 seconds off that time with Kilteely in 39.01 only to be denied 1st slot by Andrew Bourns and Caprice clear in 38.46. All in all less than half of the numbers were able to produce a second clear round, 9 out of the 20, which included last weeks winner Tholm Keane with Warrenstown you 2 who took 5th place and last weeks runner up Eddie Moloney who took 3rd in this leg to give him a one point lead in the standings this week

Momento Guidam Grand Prix Spring Tour 2006 Royston Rugs sponsored by Knightfield Equestrian and Darragh Equestrian Solutions were presented to the winner Andrew Bourns and the best young rider Sarah Curran. Sheila White was awarded best Turned Out, sponsored by the Showjumpers Club, to her stallion Simba with the award going to her groom Soskia Haliminen, who was at home, but accepted on her behalf by Carolla Mc Loughlin.

The 3rd Leg of the Guidam Spring Tour moves to Kilronan Equestrian Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin, next Sunday 26th March 2006 at 2 pm.