Keane ‘aiming’ to go one better in Premier Series
His willingness to battle to the end, though, proved decisive last weekend, when he won out over teen sensation Conor Drain in the final leg of the HSI Guidam Spring Tour at Mullingar.
You would expect, therefore, a surfeit of confidence as the Waterford man prepares for this year’s Premier Series opener at Louth County Show tomorrow.
Not so... more a case of understated, self-effacing belief, tempered with the knowledge that show jumping is a fickle business.
Last year’s Premier Series saw him tie on points with Conor Swail when the last fence was jumped at Millstreet, but the latter’s better result on the day secured him the title.
Ask Keane, though, if he can go one step further this year and the most he will concede is that, yes, he will be “aiming” to win. He has no problem, though, admitting owner and opera singer Ronan Tynan would sing a different tune.
“With all leagues, you have to keep the horses happy and healthy. I never look too far ahead. I’m cautious by nature. Ronan would be very different. He would be very confident. Always encouraging me to have a go. A real determination there.
“His interest is unreal. He could ring me 10 times on the day of the competition, so he is delighted with the new coverage on www.irishsport.tv.
Keane’s Guidam win did not come easy. He held a one-point lead last Friday, but saw that overturned in the penultimate leg at Coilóg on Saturday, with Drain notching up his fifth win to go five points ahead.
The Co Antrim 16-year-old, however, failed to make the jump-off in Mullingar, which proved critical, as points-and-a-half were on offer.
With the benefit of hindsight, Keane believes that Drain’s efforts on Saturday left the tank a little empty for Sunday, which, coupled with his horses’ consistency proved the telling factors.
“Overall, Conor had more wins, but, my horses were consistently placed. Experience came into it a little bit. Saturday’s class was a fast class, so I think his horses were tired on Sunday.
“On Saturday, I was clear, but I kept some in reserve, particularly with Warrenstown Well Aware. She is better over a bigger track and I was hoping it would be bigger at Mullingar.
“Of course, after Saturday, I was under pressure, but there were points-and-a-half in Mullingar. Conor and I actually talked about this, and we both knew it would come down to that on the last day,” said Keane, who pointed out that things could have been different, as both riders had knocked the last fence in the first round with different horses.
Keane hopes his performances will see him feature on the radar of Ireland team manager Robert Splaine.
“We are all hoping to catch the eye of Robert for a nations cup and the selectors will be watching more closely this year, as the series will be 1.50m. You would love to ride for your country and I think Well Aware and You Two are well up for travelling.”
As for Drain, he will be at Louth this weekend, but will forego the grand prix; his main horses are aimed at Wales, where he hopes to qualify for the Junior European Championships, having first done so as a 13-year-old.
He felt the Guidam Tour had proved very beneficial, saying that, in particular, Judith Sossick’s Loughview Lou Lou, as a seven-year-old, had gained a lot from the experience.
Yesterday, he said that, while he would compete in the Premier Series, he would be selective. A new acquisition, Chekane, coupled with Fine Filly and Shanroe Penny — who was originally bred for dressage — will form his main string.
Meanwhile, next month’s GCSEs will form the premier test for what is proving show jumping’s latest star student.
HAVING finished second to his wife Patricia recently in Camphire, Michael Ryan says justice was done in Ballindenisk last weekend when he took the top spot in the CIC two-star international.
Second after dressage and show jumping, the Limerick man moved to pole position with Annestown Emperor after leader Aidan Keogh and Tredstep Boa fell at the third last fence.
However, Patricia’s notion of justice differed somewhat from her husband’s. The Bandon woman was one place back on Carol and Tom Henry’s Ballylynch Skyport and produced a clear with 0.4 time penalties over the Fells’ well-presented course to keep the pressure on with a score of 51.5pens.
To no avail, though, as Michael, last to go, secured the requisite clear to finish on his dressage score of 49.4 and reverse the Camphire result.
The winner was presented with a trophy in remembrance of Karen Rodgers, who died while competing at the Watergrasshill venue a year ago.
Yesterday, Michael said a recent trip to Portugal had made all the difference for Thomas Kibbe’s eight-year-old grey gelding.
“I always felt I was going to have a good chance. My aim was to do a good dressage test, as he is always good at jumping, and it worked out.
“Portugal stood to him. He has had some hiccups along the way and taken some time to mature. Fingers crossed he will go on,” said Ryan, who was on his way to the CIC three-star at Belton, England, where he saddles up his seasoned campaigner Old Road.
For good measure, Michael also claimed fourth spot with Ballylynch Sky High (60.6) despite adding 12 faults in the show jumping.
Spoiling the party a little for the Ryans were Luke Drea and Avoca Feile, who placed third on 58.2.
Also at Belton this weekend are: Kim O'Gorman (Valencia), Capt Geoff Curran (Kilkishen and The Jump Jet), Capt Brian Curran-Cournane (The Sally Rod and Rossbeigh), Ciaran Glynn (Killossery Buddy and Killossery Kruisita), Katie O'Sullivan (Shannondale Que), Sarah Wardell (Kincluny and Killeenduff Boy), Paul Donovan (Sportsfield Sandyman), Camilla Speirs (Portersize Just a Jiff), Melanie Ashe (Rathmolyon Flight), Sarah Ennis (The Underdog), Jim Newsam (Laras Song).
DARRAGH KERINS made the last leg of the World Cup final in Las Vegas last weekend, but eight faults saw him withdraw before the second round.
The US-based Sligo rider ultimately placed 25th, in a competition dominated by Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who retained her title with Shutterfly, by becoming only the fourth rider to win all three legs.
The dressage title went to American Steffen Peters, riding Ravel.
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