Sven Hadley crowned leading international rider at Mullingar

International jumping in Mullingar International CSI 2* came to an exciting close, with Alexander Butler claiming victory in the Karlswood Stables & Mullingar Equestrian sponsored Grand Prix. Riding Eldorado, the County Meath rider was one of only two double clears in 40.04.

Bred by E Mulder, the 11 year-old gelding is by Zapatero VDL and out of Pimpernel. The pairing have clocked up a series of good results on the international circuit recently, including, second in Opglabbeek CSI2* and before this, second place in Arezzo CSI3*.

Susan Fitzpatrick and the eight year-old Je T’Aime Flamenco-sired, Fellow Castlefield, delivered the only other clear in 42.49. Aidan Killeen and Idream, proved that time could be caught when clocking 38.52. Unfortunately a pole down left them in third.

International warm-up

On Friday, international jumping began with the warm-up class. Philip McGuane and Antigone Gravelotte took the honours with a double clear in 30.20. Bred by Claire Bresson and owned by Beat Mändli and Barry O’Connor, the eight year-old gelding is by Breemeersen Adorado and out of Libertina.

Sven Hadley recorded his first win in the Glenn Wood 1.25m Silver Tour on Saturday morning. Riding Victoria Z, he clocked the winning time of 55 seconds. Owned by Hadley the 11 year-old Zangersheide bred mare, is by Vigo D’Arsouilles and out of Regina. Under Hadley’ and Tori Dunne’s command, the mare has proved very consistent at home and abroad. Hadley’s plan is to breed from the mare.

Crowd pleaser

In the afternoon, the Devenish Bet Show Jumping Live took centre stage, with 73 combinations going to post. Cian Harrison led the lap of honour riding the 15-year-old Dutch bred gelding Wannahave, having posted an impressive round in a time of 54.56. Riding for the red team and coming from heat four, it was Dermott Lennon who took the win on a total score of four faults in 36.90.

Following this, seven combinations lined out for the Land Rover Puissance RDS Qualifier. Four riders remained in the final round, which stood at 2.10m; Richard Howley (Notice Me), Mikey Pender (Hearton Du Bois Halleux), Nano Healy (KMS Clintland) and Thomas O’ Brien (Dakarla). It was Richard Howley and Notice Me who cleared the wall to take the win.

Jumping on Saturday came to a close with the Francis Derwin sponsored 1.40m. Laois rider, Aidan Killeen won the class riding Idream with a clear round in a time of 66.41. The 11-year-old Latvian warmblood (LBHA) is by Irasir and out of Lavleisa. She was bred by A/S Agrofirma Tervete and is now owned by Andrea Vogel.

On Sunday morning, 52 combinations took to the sand arena for the Grange Motors-sponsored accumulator. Twenty-three of those recorded the maximum score. Sven Hadley recorded his second victory, when he lodged the fastest time of 41.23, aboard Realt Na Carraig. Later in day, victory in the Jim Derwin Equestrian sponsored 1.40m went to Mikey Pender. Riding the 10-year-old stallion, Casanova Van Overis Z, he was fastest of the 20 double clears in 62.75 seconds.

Winner of the first International class on Monday was again Pender and the seven-year-old HHS Florida. He lodged the winning clear round in 38.01 seconds in the CastleForbes-sponsored 1.25m class.

Victory in the Aisling Byrne’s Sport Horses 1.35m went to Alan O’Regan and Liberation, when they posted the winning round of clear in 37.85.

Following a successful show, Sven Hadley was named as the Tailored Equestrian Parlanti leading international rider of the show.

Young horse classes

Winner of the three-year-old Old Koro D’or Loose Jumping Competition and Millstreet Qualifier was Belmont House Stud’s unnamed colt by Aganix du Seigneur.

Victory in the Four year-old Tailored Equestrian class, went to the gelding Major Royale. Under the command of Angela Percy, they were awarded the score of 111 marks. Owned by Denise O’ Sullivan, he is by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 and out of the Cavalier Royale sired dam, Rama Dama.

Mullingar also hosted a round of the ISH Stud Book classes. Taking the win in the seven-year-old final was Mikey Pender and HHS Fortune, when double clear in 36.63. One of only 15 double clears in the seven-year old class, Pender beat off stiff competition from the 25 combinations. In the five year-old final, 12 combinations jumped double clear to split the win. While in the six-year-olds, six clear rounds were delivered.