KILDARE’s Elizabeth Hayden posted her best result since returning to Ireland last September when placing first and fourth in the EI110 at Finvoy (2) last Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who completed her marketing studies in May and has now established her own yard at home in Maynooth, led from start to finish in the 20-strong class with her mother Joan’s Headleys Daredevil. However, the combination had a pole down show jumping and picked up 6.8 cross-country time penalties for a total of 33.1.

Robbie Collins finished second with the much-admired five-year-old Lester Lad gelding Dunrath Navigator (38), who was having his second start at this level, while Luca Stubington slotted into third with the ex-racehorse September Son (39.8), who was having his third. Hayden’s second ride, the Holstein mare Calwey, who was the only one of the top four not to incur show jumping penalties, completed on 40.6.

The only horse to beat the clock in this class was Just For Gerry, another ex-racehorse, who was fifth (40.9) in the hands of Neil Morrison.

“I’m delighted with the win!” said Hayden. “I’ve just been finding my feet since I came back and am bringing the horses on slowly. We purchased Headleys Daredevil as a two-year-old and broke him ourselves at home before I brought him over to England with me as the end of his four-year-old year.

“He did four events in England last season and I started him off at a low level here as well as he still has to grow into himself. I plan on doing the two-star short at Millstreet on him and on Calwey who, although a seven-year-old, is a bit behind for her age.” Headleys Daredevil, who was bred by Headley Stud Eventing, is by the German thoroughbred Duke Of Hearts out of the Con Sherry (Contendro I) mare Con Cava, a half-sister to the former Grand Prix dressage stallion Royal Rubin (by Rubinstein).

“It was my first time to compete at Finvoy, and although it’s a long trip up, it was worth it,” commented Hayden. “Hats off to the organisers everything was really well-run and the fences were up to height and well-presented. I’ll definitely be going back.”

Another southern raider to strike on Saturday was Co Meath’s Sadhbh McGrath who was so far ahead of her two rivals in the EI110 (Open) that she could afford to take her time across the country and still win with her 12-year-old Chacoa gelding, Bridgemans Cocoa Malt.

Newry’s Lucy McIlroy continued her recent domination of the Northern Region’s EI110 (J) classes when landing Saturday’s version on her mother Angela’s Major Black.

The nine-year-old Imperial Hights gelding and his 2013 full-sister, Imperial Black Pearl, recorded two of the three show jumping clears in the eight-strong class but the older sibling had much the better dressage score and, with the second fastest cross-country round, went on to win for the third time this season.

Holywood’s Ellen Douglas won the EI110 (P) class unopposed with her mother Elaine’s eight-year-old dun gelding, Rock Tempo.