MEATH-based Finnish duo Liisa Rantamaki and Miia Ruuskanen from Tara Hill Riding Club were to the fore at the Association of Irish Riding Clubs Festival in Mullingar with a win apiece in The Irish Field Dressage to Music classes.

Liisa and the eight-year-old ex-Racehorse Bobby Cool scored 84.00% to win the RC P1/P2/P3 class. “He was very good, chilled,” said Liisa. “He is a home-bred by Alhebayeb and ran on the flat and over hurdles. It is great to win to add to our other placings in the showing and dressage this year.”

Miia Ruuskanen rode Liisa’s 14-year-old Lux Z Irish Sport Horse gelding Happy Gilmore to victory in the Riding Club Elementary/Novice/Medium class on an 88.00% total. “We are having fun here competing in dressage and the showing,” said Miia. “I have been riding him for over two years and it is fantastic to win here today.”

Mullingar Riding Club had much to celebrate with Niamh Macken and the nine-year-old King Alton Irish Draught gelding Diamond King Henry scoring 71.72% to win the novice class.

Blackhill Eventing resident Christa Dillon scored another home win in the Medium class with her Irish Sport Horse mare Blackhill Kilcoltrim on 67.04%. Kilbeggan-based Christa and Niamh added to their red rosettes winning the pairs dressage on a 75.00% total.

“A good weekend,” said Niamh, adding: “Christa trains me and we are both trained by Irish Olympian Heike Holstein, many thanks to her. My gelding was also third in the Irish Draught showing, so I am delighted.”