Round-up

THE young horse producers were out in force in the baby classes, with Meabh Bolger picking up back-to-back wins in the EI 100 aboard the Kannan-sired five-year-old Kelvin Della Caccia. Unbeatable on the flat on a score of 21.45, the duo progressed to complete three marks ahead of Louise Bloomer riding Wolf Valencia for owner Kim O’Gorman. The latter have dropped down a level since last time out, and recording a double clear round narrowly pipped Ana Maria Hughes, who is enjoying a great run of success with Ballycahane Billy. Both jumping phases proved straightforward, and a few show jumping errors aside, all 20 completed without incident.

The EI 90 winning rider Sara Lundkvist had never competed across country before this season, but having spent a few months in Fethard with producer Paul Donovan, she is fast gaining experience. Visiting from her native Sweden, Lundkvist teamed up with the eventing first-timer Sportsfield Blaze, who she capably piloted to win from the front. Lightly show jumped last year under Gemma Phelan and brokered through her, the six-year-old daughter of Olympic Lux held a clear advantage over Nelgara Lucy Locket, ridden by Rebecca Dunlea. Also, double clear, Emma Dunne filled third with Galtee Danny and while show jumping altered the lower placings, just two failed to complete across the country.

To boost the entries, O’Donnell added a EI80 (T) to the schedule, to the effect that it attracted 13 entries, with 11 going to post. Having led the dressage by distance on 20.8 eventing first-timers Ciara Nee and Keelen Cashel were the runaway winners, ahead of Janet Burke aboard The Rebel Son.