The sixth round of the HSI/ Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour at Portmore Equestrian Centre in Co Armagh saw the top prize staying north of the border, as Co Fermanagh rider James Hogg scored a comprehensive victory with Edgar Hogg’s grey gelding Interpreter.

 

The host venue Portmore Equestrian Centre, sponsored the competition with €2,500 on offer and those in attendance were treated to a fantastic competition, but no one went home happier than the winner James Hogg,

 

“I have to say the course builder (Rafael Suarez) did an excellent job, he gave us three different options to turn inside around the course and I think I might have been the only one to take all three tight turns. The surface at Portmore is just fantastic and the organizers deserve allot of credit for putting on a great show”.

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When asked about his mount Interpreter (Crusing x Diamond Rock x Hail Titan(TB),James Hogg went on to say,

 

“He is much stronger in himself this year, he is nine years old now and like all good Irish horses he gets better with age. Interpreter was bred by David O Brennan from Tullamore in Co Offaly and he has been a winner for me since he was a five year old, his full brother actually won the 1.20m at Portmore on Saturday also. I will take in the Spring Tour round at Cavan next and will see where we go from there”.

 

Fifteen of the thirty-seven starters made it through to the jump-off and despite a relatively early draw in round 2, Hogg had well over three seconds to spare over his nearest challenger at the finish. Although he did have a nervous moment at the third last oxer, as Interpreter rubbed the back bar, but the pole stayed intact giving the Ulsterman a well deserved victory in a time of 35.09 seconds.

 

League leader Conor McEneaney was last to jump with the incredibly consistent eight year old Moonlite Cavalier and although he couldn’t match James Hogg’s winning round, a second round clear in 38.66 seconds saw him take runner up at Portmore to extend his lead at the top of the table.

 

Sven Hadley filled three of the top six places, taking third place with the eight year old bay gelding Quanbell (Quentin x H.2) after a clear round in 40.43, while he also posted a clear jump off round (45.44) with Cassana (OBOS Quality x Hallo) to take fourth.

 

Hadley picked up four faults against the clock with Cassinitine (Cheers Cassini x Animo Elite) but a time of 40.08 was good enough to finish sixth, just behind junior rider Christopher Megahey who produced an excellent performance to take fifth place with the Lauriston sired Rickamore Royal.

 

Today(Sunday) the HSI/ Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour moves west to Claremorris in Co Mayo before Balinamona in Waterford hosts the eighth round of the series on Bank Holiday Monday.

 

 

Conor Mc Eneaney   37 Points

Daniel Coyle            27

Thomas O’Brien       24

James Hogg            20

Liam O’Meara          15

Sven Hadley            14