SUNDAY’s tracks commenced with the EI 110 classes, and with just two starters in the open division, the opening honours fell to Sadhbh Bolger and Into Mischief. The following restricted division was far better supported, and heading the 18 runners from the front was Leila Barker aboard Anna Maher’s Erin. The show jumping jostled the placings slightly, but with all completing the cross-country without incident, Rodney O’Donnell filled second with Dartans Hillcrest, from Ina Cassells aboard Brookwood Superable.

As the winner, Co Wicklow-based Barker is enjoying one of her best seasons to date, and has teamed up with Erin to give her more experience at the level. Bred by Andries du Bont, as was her dam Wulfin, the daughter of Cobra was sourced from Carol Gee just over a year ago.

Barker came close to making it a double in the following EI 100, but she was pipped to the post by Daniel Alderson aboard Jessica Finnegan’s Mr Quality Cruz. Once again, the class was weighted towards the dressage, and although two riders were eliminated for course errors in the show jumping, and another for committing the same mistake in the country, the class proved otherwise trouble-free. The six-year-old winner, who was originally ridden by Colin Halliday and sent to Alderson’s Co Cork base about three months ago, is likely to step up a class in the near future. Chasing throughout, Barker slotted into second with Blackwoodland Breeze, from Leah Knight who was also double clear with King City Angel.

In the final EI 90, the Godfrey Gibbons-ridden Milchem Mischief picked up his first EI win at the third time of asking. Owned by Gibbons’ mother Marie, and bred by Ralph Conroy, the five-year-old mare is by the international jumping pony sire Carnill Bertas Lad out of Milchem Sea Bird (Contras A).

Sunday’s under age classes

There were a further five classes for underage riders on Sunday, and kicking off, there were just three starters in both the junior and the pony EI 110 classes. In the former, Laura Archdeacon and Hacketts Cross repeated their Ballindenisk victory seven days earlier, while Jasper Kelly riding Fionas Fionn picked up their first win of the current campaign in the latter.

A smart dressage score of 24.8 handed Cara Padden and Ardeo Batman a comfortable win in the five-strong EI 100 (P) but things were much tighter at the top in the following junior division. Two shared the completion score of 33.5, and when the maths were done, it was Keelin McCarthy riding the imported event first-timer Kane who claimed the red ribbon as being closest to the optimum time.

Finally, a hot weekend closed with the EI 90 (P). Much better supported with 15 starters, it was won by Grace Scully who, moving up from an opening second spot partnered Coolys Pick and Mix.