STRAFFAN’s Abbey Ferris recorded a runaway success in the TRI Equestrian EI90 national championship at Kilguilkey House last weekend on her mother Mary’s How Ya Sammy who the family purchased two years ago.

Fourteen-year-old Ferris and her eight-year-old partner were on the Dressage Ireland squad which represented Ireland at the British Dressage youth home nations’ competition in Wales last month and it was their excellent flatwork which set the pair on their road to success here.

Judges Una O’Donnell and Liz O’Connor had them on a combined penalty score of 13.8 which, according to Eventing Ireland’s stats centre, is the lowest in the country this season. They had a pole down show jumping but still finished well clear of Poppy McMurray with Finding Nemo (24.6) and Beth Coveney with Coppenagh Russel (25) who both completed on their first phase scores. Three of the 25 starters failed to finish due to rider unseatings (one in the show jumping ring).

Like her sister Lucy who was reserve in the EI80 championship, Ferris is a proud and active member of Newcastle Lyons Pony Club and wears the Branch’s orange colours in all cross-country outings. Last year, Abbey and How Ya Sammy (aka George) won three titles, the IPC’s national dressage day junior championship, DI’s junior Novice Category 1 championship and EI’s Grassroots 80cms championship.

This year, in addition to Sunday’s success, Ferris and George won the Intermediate championship at the IPC’s national dressage day and were reserve in the EI90 (P) Grassroots championship.

They also won at EI90 (P) level at Tattersalls and Grove. While he is registered with EI as being by Woodfield Sammy out of the Robe Earl mare Robe Cheeky Lass, George is not registered on the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society database.