ROUND two of the Bert’s Properties starter series, run by the Western Region of Eventing Ireland, was held last Sunday at the Kerins family’s Tubberbride Stables in Co Sligo, where a couple of showers failed to detract from an enjoyable day.

Course designer Richard Kerins produced a flowing track with plenty of colour. The first seven obstacles were show jumping fences, which were followed by a similar number of cross-country style fences. Ballina’s Philip Scott judged the dressage phase indoors where he commented to his scorer, Ger Connors, and others on the high standard of turn-out of both horses and riders.

Crossmolina show jumper Luke Corcoran partnered two horses in the Sligo Candy Boy four-year-old class, sponsored by Padraig Howley, and claimed the top two qualifying slots on his own Zangersheide gelding Capital-K van Kattenheye Z (60 points) and Peter O’Neill’s traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse mare Brittas Queenie I (53).

The winner is by Comme D Api vd Hacienda out of the Mr Blue mare Athena van de Donkhoeve, a half-sister to the Indorado gelding VDL Fakir (CSI5*), while the runner-up is a member of the second Irish crop of the thoroughbred stallion Centennial, a four-time winner by Dalakhani, out of a Kings Master mare.

This was Corcoran’s second time to start in a dressage arena, having competed a Sligo Candy Boy four-year-old in a leg of the Young Event Horse Series at Forth Mountain four or five years ago.

“Myself and my brother, Adam, bought this fellow privately last October,” said Corcoran of Sunday’s winner. “Adam has done an excellent job in breaking and producing the horse up to this point. He’s a very intelligent horse with a great attitude towards his work, which helps a lot. We like to have them riding well on the flat before doing anything else. Adam hunted this fellow on St Stephen’s Day and jumped him at two training shows.

“We’re not in a mad rush to sell him and, while I can’t go to the next qualifier (at Milchem tomorrow), I will do more legs of the league with him and some other young horses. I hadn’t really heard about the series until talking to Liam Lynskey one day and, when I heard this round was going to be on at Tubberbride, with Richard Kerins as course designer, I knew it would be a great education for a young horse.

“Adam and I work with our dad, Pauric, at River View, which is basically a private livery, breaking and sales prep yard, but we do hold training shows while the Nephin Riding Club is based here. I used to ride older show jumpers, but now concentrate on producing young horses for sale.”

Bert’s Properties Limited, who came on board this year as title sponsor of the starter series, is a property investment company, which specialises in the acquisition and management of luxury properties. Its primary focus lies in identifying and acquiring premium properties for short-term rental markets abroad, as well as development properties in Ireland. With a commitment to serving discerning investors and collectors, it ensures its clients access exclusive opportunities in the luxury real estate market.