BRITISH Eventing master coach, Judy Bradwell, had a few engagements to fill at last week’s Dublin Horse Show, one being judge for the two Pony Club combined training classes.

The dressage phase was held in Ring 1 on Friday evening with the jumping phase taking place approximately 24 hours later in Ring 2. Both classes were sponsored, as usual, by M. O’Byrne Hire & Catering Ltd.

Representing Area 17 of The Pony Club (Northern Ireland), Ahoghill’s Hannah Thompson led from start to finish in the Intermediate class with Jemeela Charm. The Mid Antrim Branch member achieved the section’s highest score in dressage (103.5) and then recorded a clear show jumping round on her mother Rachael’s nine-year-old Loughry Lad mare.

This combination won and finished second twice in three EI90 outings this season, having been sixth at the same level, but in the amateur ranks, at last year’s Eventing Ireland national championships.

With one of only two other clear rounds, Ruby Hughes moved up to finish second on Johnny Handsome (100). The Kildare Branch member, who was representing Area 2 of the Irish Pony Club, had a disappointing end to her recent trip to the international team working hunter championships in Wales, but she and 11-year-old Westside Mirah gelding have been placed in all but one of their four EI100 appearances this season.

In spite of lowering two fences for a completion score of 93, Area 9’s Holly Davern, a member of the Scarteen Branch, finished third with Sleady Castle Mona.

Expensive

In the Members’ class, a fence down on day two proved expensive for Area 3’s Keelin McCarthy who had led after the dressage phase (108) with the 16-year-old Coevers Diamond Boy mare, Millridge Cara. A winner under EI Rules this season and at the recent IPC Festival in Barnadown, the Tipperary Branch member had to settle for second behind Keelan Murray from Area 8.

The East Galway Branch member, who completed on his first phase score of 107, rode his father Keith’s Connemara stallion, Lough Fadda Rudi, an eight-year-old by Coosheen Stormboy. Murray and the grey have been competing at EI110 (P) level this season and have been placed on their last four starts.

Representing Area 4, the Killinick Branch and Wexford Equestrian, Taylor Peare jumped one of only three clear rounds to finish third on the tall Askoll Peter Pan gelding, WEC Imperial Master.