IN the biggest class of the day at Rosanna on Saturday, a healthy 21 runners lined up in the Martsworth Flooring supported EI100.

Six riders impressed flat work judge Jill Spring to earn sub-30 marks, but none could better Sarah Ennis, who landed a pillar to post win aboard her own Nycarlos H on an impressive mark of 20.3.

The Dutch-bred six-year-old by Tangelo Van’t Zuuthoeve was sourced from Sophie Richards, who in turn had bought him from the Monart sale as a three-year-old. “Because he’s mine, I didn’t get to do too much with him last year,” explained Ennis. “He then had an eye infection, but since we’ve had that treated, he’s flying.”

Chasing all the way, Rebekah McKinstry retained her opening second spot with Aaron McKinstry’s eight-year-old HVL Jack Pot. Making his first run at the level, the son of Lux Z, has a pedigree going back to Laughtons Flight and Sky Boy and was bred by Tina McDermott.

Still staying with dressage order, the Cooley Farms-owned Doublmax filled third spot under Ella Morshuls. Bred by Amy Browne and a former show jumper with a career total of 66 SJI points, Doublmax is by OBOS Quality out of Treasured Memories by Ghareeb.

As it should be, the track was educational, but did produce its share of problems. Three failed to complete, while one incurred an isolated penalty.

Thoroughbreds to the fore

In what turned out to be a very good day for the thoroughbreds, and thanks to the promotion of Treo Eile, there are an increasing number making headlines on the circuit. The win of Dawn Arrival in the feature class was yet another example of their growing success in the sport, as was Lily Mai Berry and Skylanna Scatman’s victory in the EI90.

In third spot after dressage, the Co Wexford pair picked up 0.4 penalties for time, but that was still good enough to head Sarah Ennis (LSL The Melody Maker) by a clear margin. 18-year-old Berry sourced the gelding from Shannon Hynes, and has enjoyed plenty of success in the pony club ranks.

The pair won the Intro Pony Club championships at Tattersalls, and have been the recipients of a Treo Eile bursary for the past two years. This has provided extra training and, as a result, Berry goes for lessons with Sarah Doyle.

Now a 10-year-old, Skylanna Scatman had 11 runs in point-to-points, and although he failed to get his head in front, he did pick up two second placings. A son of Tajraasi, who interestingly is also the sire of Richard Jones’ five-star event campaigner Alfies Clover, he is out of the lightly raced Howyanow (Saddlers Hall). An upgrade to the EI100 class is pencilled in for Grove, as well as an attempt to get a place on a development squad.

As one of just three double clears, Sarah Ennis piloted the Lambertsown Stud- owned LSL The Melody Maker into second spot. Making just their second outing under rules, the pair headed Abaigh Pollack, who was enjoying her debut run under EI rules with Graces Blue Diamond.

While the cross-country rode well for the majority of the 23 starters, it was not without its challenges. Four riders walked home, a further five accumulated penalties. This was in contrast to the previous edition, and according to Sally Corscadden, it was interesting to note how the subtle differences in the track proved problematic.

“In the EI100 and EI90 classes, I had changed the ditch and rail complex,” Corscadden explained. “This time, we had the ditch first followed by the rail, which caused a lot more trouble than two weeks ago, when it was the opposite. Riders appeared to be going too fast, and forgetting about collection.”