SLOTTING into the timetable at the close of play on Friday and Saturday evenings, the two masterclasses for four and five-year olds attracted a good number of spectators, and a few potential buyers. Judged as usual by Jean Mitchell (dressage) and Alistair Pim (conformation), this year’s jumping phase came under the joint scrutiny of Mike Etherington-Smith and visiting guest judge and sponsor, Lornie Forbes-Slater.

Both classes were fully subscribed and heading the opener was the highly acclaimed five-year-old Randalstown Commando ridden by Johnny Mulligan. Already the winner of the potential event horse class at Balmoral, and of his two RDS Young Event Horse qualifiers, the son of Ricardo Z was bred by Sam McAteer, and sourced by his owner Mervyn Gibson as a foal. There was big interest in this eye-catcher, who at the moment is not on the market. “I’m enjoying him too much to sell him at the moment,” declared Gibson. “Although we probably will when the time is right.” Just one point in arrears, the British-based grey Benjamin Bounce (by Nazar) filled second under Australian international Kevin McNab, in front of the recent Tattersalls Burghley young horse winner and RDS qualifier Carra Lux Quality (OBOS Quality) ridden by Emma Jackson.

The following evening it was the turn of the younger group to impress. Staying with form, the dual Y.E.S winner Brookfield Cavalier Cruise picked up yet another red ribbon, this time under the guidance of Patrick Phelan who was deputising for Louise Codd. Since his RDS qualifiers however, this much admired son of Cavalier Carnival has changed hands, and at Camphire, he ran under the banner of his new British owners John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn. Bred by Martin Ryan, the gelding won by a massive eight marks, from Hugh Douglas’s Rock Impression (Pointilliste) ridden by Amy Whittle, and the mare Santiago Sky (Mermus R) piloted by Alex Donohoe.

Judges Alistair Pim and Lornie Forbes-Slater were complimentary about this popular class, with Pim stating, “There were half a dozen in each class that really stood out, and my top marked horses were all ones you would love to take home.” Echoing this, Forbes-Slater added: “I thought the four-year-olds were particularly outstanding – there were some lovely horses, which were very well produced and presented.”