All but one of the seven cruised around the country without jumping penalties, and a further two show jumped clear as well.
Former pony team member Shannon Nelson landed her first win at the level with the mare Gina Van De Neerheide (by Triomphe de Muse BWP) from Thomas Byrne aboard the homebred stallion BGS Electric Line.
Another for whom cross-country riding comes as naturally as show jumping, is CNCP* victor Jessica Kuehnle. Riding Fernhill Ruby for Carol Gee, the Co Laois rider produced the sole double clear of the class, thus reversing places with second placed Isabelle Persse and Mr Blueskies.
The Hammarstrom sisters from Sweden have been quietly making an impact on the Irish results this season, and heading the EI 100P* for the second weekend in succession was Klara riding Mr Dumbledore. Leading from the front, the Grange Farm-based pair completed on 32.5 less than a penalty ahead of Ella Boyle and Grantstown Bobby Dazzler.
Having earned a spectacular dressage mark of just 20.5 it was no surprise to see Kim O’Gorman gain back to back EI 100 wins with her own Tooth Fairy. The Kilmanahan victors produced one of just four double clears to head second placed Rory O’Hare with DBS Anchorman (31.5) by over 10 marks.
Bought as a youngster from the late Charlie Patterson, Tooth Fairy is a ten-year-old mare by Garrison Z (by Ricardo Z) out of Robertstown Maid by Robertstown Boy.
She is the only progeny out of the dam to be sired by Garrison Z, while a half brother by Garrison Royal is the intermediate event horse NZB Port Royal, currently campaigning in England by Mark Todd and Megan Heath. Such was the jumping influence, that ten of the field of 26 made errors in the country, and only seven left the coloured poles intact.
In the Amateur EI 100 division, John Jo Grace partnered his wife Jane’s Push the Button to gain his first win of the current campaign, while Katrina Clarke and Ballyshiel Bryan Boru headed the EI 90 equivalent.
None of the junior EI 90 runners completed fault free, but Alison O’Neill was the best of the four runners with A One Your Highness.
Finally, and maintaining their consistent run of form, Billie-Mae Geoghegan gained her third EI 90 P win of the season aboard Skylark Kruise.
There were some lovely young horses among the nine runners in the EI 90, but with many making green errors, there was only one double clear round. Despite rolling two poles in the show jumping arena, Ian Cassells headed the field with Anliosin Kris Kros Dancer (by Gold Dancer) on 36.0, from Aoife Murphy, clear with Ottoman Rebel on 37.0.