IT has been a good week for Irish event riders across the globe, and especially for Aoife Clark, Ian Cassells and Fred Scala, who enjoyed a highly successful trip to Saumur last weekend. Accompanied by team coach Dag Albert, the trio contested a very competitive CCI4*-L to fill four of the top 20 placings.

All delivered creditable performances and most notably Aoife Clark who, having missed a good proportion of last season due to injury, bounced back to form to land both fourth and ninth positions. Teaming up with the Freelance Syndicate-owned mare Sportsfield Freelance, and in the best of company, Clark retained her fourth placing throughout, and in ninth, was also double clear with her recent Kronenburg CCI3*-L winner Calahari. “I have been aiming for this event since last year – it gave me something to focus on,” she remarked.