Paddy O’Donnell from Fenor, Co.Waterford, took the honours in the fifth round of the Chippison Spring tour at Kill International. Displaying all the style and craft that he produced at the Failte Ireland Show in Dublin last year when he won the opening International Speed Class, he snatched victory in a gutsy performance which he richly deserved. Riding Thomas Power’s ‘Harristown Princess’, O’Donnell saw off challenges from the likes of National Speed Champion Ger O’Neill and the highly experienced Edward Doyle to name but a few.
It was a large entry, in fact the largest this series so far, which saw 85 of the original 98 start with 18 getting though to he jump off. International Course Designer Tom Holden was happy with that outcome as he built a track that was well within the specified height but one had to work hard on the distances. He commented “again I have built no larger than 136cms with the majority of the obstacles standing at 135cms and spreads of 145cms. But it will be testing enough so the riders will have to read their distances accordingly”
Indeed they did and it wasn’t only the less experienced who had difficulty reading the track. But having said that 18 going through was pretty representative of the fact that the track, whilst a test, was fair and produced an interesting spectacle for the spectators which can be difficult with such big entries.
The standard setter was Ger O ‘Neill and Z Welle 72 who came back clear in a time of 38.65. Next in was 11 times National Champion Francis Connors with Michael Hayden & Paul O’Shea’s Instant Karma posting a clear in 40.07. The next four in all picked up faults trying to break O’ Neill’s target until seventh in Edward Doyle riding Clipper Van de Begijnakker shaved the guts of three seconds off the time with a clear in 35.30.
It was next in to Doyle, Paddy O’Donnell, who took off from the start like a greyhound out the traps. A quick look around of the gallery saw them all on the edge of their seats a he cut corners and took strides out to make up the time. He certainly was moving very quickly coming down to the last beating Doyle’s time by nearly three more seconds coming home clear in 32.56.
Three more horses followed but could not get close to the new standard as Ger O’Neill came in to challenge with Cassidee and looked every bit like matching but could only produce a clear in 34.16.
Former world champion Dermott Lennon also had a cut with Alvarez and was pretty quick too returning a clear in 33.62 putting the time closer to the one being held by O’Donnell.
With five to go the first three put in times of 34.55, 47.18 and Young Rider Daniel Coyle riding Linzi Johnston’s Uptown Girl became the closest to the leader with a clear in 33.40. Another good day at the office for Coyle as he took second place and his third best young rider prize of the series.
The last two to go were Gerard Clarke and Colorado and Capt Michael Kelly with Lough Foyle but both failed to make the cut leaving it to Paddy O’Donnell and Harristown Princess to seal the deal in this round.
Afterwards he said: “We’ve had this mare since she was broken, and I’m delighted with her. This was a really hot class and I’d say that it’s the fastest that I have ever gone with her, including Dublin. It’s her first outing this season and I plan to compete in one or two more.”
In the end its going to make some changes to the leader board and after his placing today it will put Daniel Coyle at the top as we move to Broadmeadows on Thursday, St Patrick’s Day and then to the North at Kernan’s on Sunday 20th of March.
The HSI Chippison Spring Tour is kindly sponsored by John & Marie Burke in
association with TRI and the Showjumpers Club and is supported by Showjumping Ireland, Jumpinaction.net & Darragh Equestrian Solutions.
HSI Chippison Spring Tour – Kill International FULL RESULT:
1) Paddy O’Donnell/ Harristown Princess 0 0 32.56
2) Daniel Coyle (YR)/Uptown Girl 0 0 33.40
3) Dermott Lennon/Alvarez 0 0 33.62
4) Ger O’Neill/Cassidee 0 0 34.16
5) Edward Doyle/Grayce 0 0 34.55
6) Edward Doyle/ Clipper VD Begijnakker 0 0 35.30
TRI Best Young Rider Daniel Coyle
SJI Best Turned Out Hayley Dunne and T D’Arco