WHILE many riders were making repeat visits to the venue, the top spot in the feature O/CNC* fell to seasonal first-timer RLE Rocky Balboa ridden for River Lodge Eventing by Clare Lambert.

Leading from the front, and completing on their opening score of 30.3, the duo stayed just ahead of Polly Holohan with the 10-year-old thoroughbred Boolagh Crescendo. The winning nine-year-old, who was previously campaigned under the name of Moneybrook Lexinov, had clocked up some good form under his previous rider Tracy Walshe, and had filled the runner-up spot in the CIC* at Camphire last season.

“For me he is the ultimate junior horse and a real medal winning prospect,” she said of the son of Ustinov. “I hope to move him up to two-star as soon as possible.”

Moving in to third spot was former course and distance winner Brian Morrison, with Milchem JJ.

Fraser Duffy returned to the scene of his previous week’s CNC* triumph, and emphatically scored again aboard Carol Gee, and Tim and Clare Corballis’s Fernhill Sky High. The consistent, mare was racking up her fourth win from only six event runs, and has only made one show jump error in her event career. The duo certainly impressed dressage judge Ann Glynn, who awarded them a clear lead on 27.8.

Both the cross-country time and the show jumping phase juggled the final scores, and posting one of only three double clear rounds, Darragh Byrne filled second with Randalstown Elite (32.3).

The Fethard-based rider was deputising for his sister Leila and hopes to retain the ride for the summer. “Leila’s doing her leaving cert this year, so I have the mare with me,” he explained. “Leila has put a lot of work into her over the winter and its really paid off. The idea was to come here to get points, so now we can move up to two-star.”

FULL OF PRAISE

Like many riders, Byrne was full of praise for the venue and its facilities, adding, “They put in some new combinations again this week, and in fairness they have everything here you need.”

Completing the fault-free performances, Michael McNally secured third place with the Smiddy family’s home-bred mare, and CNC* first-timer Hale Serena (33.0).

Adding to the Fernhill string of successes, Jenny and Brian Kuehnle doubled-up to head both the underage sectors. First up, Jenny piloted Fernhill Finders Keepers to land a pillar to post victory in the CNCJ*. Chasing qualifications, the duo had competed at Tyrella the previous day, but suffering no ill effects scored 28.3 to win with a six-point advantage. Kuehnle was also on track to fill second with the previous week’s winner Deauville Beekhoeve, but a stop at the hay feeder (8) opened the door for Sadhbh Bolger (Caruba LVS) and April O’Neill (Mealagh Orion).

Younger brother Brian and Rickamore Rafferty had also made the long journey from Tyrella, and having filled second spot there on Saturday, the pair went one better to head the CNCP2*.

The Connemara by Robe Thunder held second place on the flat, but posting a fast double clear drew ahead of the slightly slower Annalise Cullen with AC Remus, and Heather O’Connor with Robin Hood’s Gentle Cloud.