SOFIE Walshe recorded her first Eventing Ireland win since June 2021 when claiming the NutriScience EI115 (Open) championship at Kilguilkey House last weekend on her mother Charlotte’s Kinsau who also won the Treo Eile prize as the highest-placed thoroughbred at the EI national championships.

Working full-time as a primary schoolteacher in Kilternan and living during the week in Dublin, Walshe would have less time to ride than most of her rivals in the 13-runner class.

However, she led after dressage on the 15-year-old Indian Danehill bay and, although two seconds over the time in the show jumping phase, completed on a total of 26 penalties which left her clear of the field.

Suzanne Hagan also fell foul of the clock, this time over the fixed fences, to finish second with the Dutch Warmblood mare Karolita O (30.8) ahead of riders’ representative Michael Ryan on the traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse gelding Claragh Mountain (31.8) and the busy Cathal Daniels riding the ISH gelding Shannondale Micah (33) with whom he was competing at Cornbury House this week.

The only combination not to complete was Sarah Dowley and Bonmahon Liberation who fought back from a poor dressage score with a show jumping clear but retired on the final leg following two refusals at 6b, the second element of the three-part Kilguilkey Water Complex.

Ex-racehorse

It’s well over 10 years since Kinsau, who was bred by Sean Reilly out of the Beneficial mare Adonia, ran once in a point-to-point at Tinahely in January 2014. He was pulled up that day by his trainer Ciaran Murphy in a five-year-old geldings’ maiden won by Blaklion who went on to run 43 times on the track, winning two bumpers, three hurdle races and six chases and placing fourth in the 40-runner Aintree Grand National won by One For Arthur.

Going in another direction, ‘Treo Eile’, Kinsau adapted well to life as an event horse, recording numerous wins through the levels up to EI115. Last year, he turned his hand to showing and was crowned the Treo Eile champion novice thoroughbred at Trim Show under his owner Charlotte.

He started off this season being ridden by Co Longford Pony Club member Emma Kenny until Sofie took back the ride in late July. They then finished second in a poorly-supported EI110 (Open) at Hillcrest and third of 31 in the CCI2*-S at Lisgarvan.

“It was just unbelievable, I honestly didn’t expect to win,” said Walshe junior. “I was delighted though as we have been placed at nationals in the past. I think a lot of this is down to me being more relaxed, doing it for fun and not to qualify for anything in particular. I have to give credit to my Mum who rides the horse at home, keeps him going for me and trains me at home and at events and to Ian Fearon who has been my show jumping coach for years.”