SARAH Ennis, who finished sixth in the open novice class at Glaslough back in 1999, was more than happy to see the Co Monaghan one-day return to the Eventing Ireland calendar last Saturday.

The Meath rider won and placed fifth in the CNC* class with Westwinds Mackenzie and Alshmemi respectively and landed the 32-runner EI100 on her only other mount of the day, Sugar Bunnie.

Elizabeth Hayden and Loughnatousa Joey, one of two hors concours combinations to come before Vanda Robinson in the novice class, were a long way ahead after dressage (20.5) but, in competition, it was Ennis who held sway with the only sub-30 score on Westwinds Mackenzie (29 penalties).

Alice Kehoe’s homebred six-year-old Ricardo Z gelding show jumped clear before recording the fastest time across the country, picking up just 1.6 time penalties over a track that climbed twice in the latter stages.

The winner is a half-brother to Westwinds Hercules and the RDS-bound Westwinds Navigator, both of whom are by Ramiro B.

Second after the flatwork phase on 32.5, Alshmemi dropped to fifth with the addition of one penalty for time over the coloured poles and 12 on the final leg.

Jennifer Byrne narrowly beat Steven Smith and the Dublin winner Derryinver Lady (41) into second with Master Peace, whose completion score of 40.9 penalties included 3.6 for time on the final leg. Byrne, who lives opposite Tattersalls at the gates to Fairyhouse racecourse, began her eventing career at Glaslough when a member (as she still is) of the Ward Union Pony Club.

“I was riding Tommy who was 12 hands or so,” she recalled.

“I always remember that there red barrels lying on the ground and I thought they were huge!

“Today’s course was really nice but I’m glad my horse had a novice run under his belt as it asked plenty of questions. The place looked great and all the fences were well built and very well presented.”

Prior to hearing that Sugar Bunnie had won the EI100 class, Ennis and owner/breeder Miriam Cunning had decided that the six-year-old Porsch mare, a full-sister to Sugar Brown Babe among others, would be upgraded to novice.

The chesnut, whose total of 26.1 included 1.6 for time over the drumlin country, has now won twice and been placed second in three outings this term. She also won in similar company last season at Ballinamona after finishing fourth to Derryinver Girl at the RDS.

Ennis won by just over five points from Jonny Mulligan, who was riding a newcomer belonging to George Stewart, the five-year-old Ollie II, whose three-phase total of 31.2 included 0.4 for time across the country.

Unfortunately, this bay gelding has no recorded pedigree, which is why he didn’t contest the young event horse classes this season.

Clare McVeigh and her imposing Near Dock gelding HRH High Society had a bit of a blip at Killossery Lodge (1), but returned to winning ways in the EI90 class here, completing on an excellent dressage score of 27.8.

Conor O’Hare and the five-year-old Lougherne Cashell gelding Lougherne Cash In Hand continue to catch the eye, four show jumping penalties not affecting their finishing position of second (36.5).