A COMBINATION of hard work and timely weather produced some tight competition and perfect going at the seasonal opener at Kilguilkey House last weekend.

Hosts Danny and Michelle Dulohery had worked tirelessly to deliver six new courses in the best of condition, and as a result they drew bumper entries in the 16 classes on offer. As always, the presentation of the tracks was first class, but it was the condition of ground that really gained the plaudits.

“We built all six tracks especially for today,” revealed Dulohery. “We aggrovated on Friday, and then were lucky that we had the rain during the night and had some more again on Saturday. We were very pleased that the feed-back was so positive. I have to thank everyone from the riders to the volunteers for supporting us as there would be no event without them.”

Patience rewarded Joseph Murphy when he clocked up his first Connolly’s Red Mills Superleague CNC3* victory with Alison Schmutz and Andrew Tinkler’s smart international prospect Gorsehill Pearl.

The daughter of Hermes de Reve was handily poised in fourth spot on the flat, and drew ahead after recording the only double clear within the time.

Although she was sourced at the Go For Gold sale at the end of 2015, Murphy has taken his time with the mare, who was making her first full run since an equally foot perfect outing at Chatsworth last year.

“The plan was always to take her slowly,” Murphy said, adding: “She had been recommended to me prior to the sale, and I knew that Luke (Drea) had produced her with her future in mind. When the ground went firm last autumn, we made the decision to wait until this season.

“Whatever she does this year will be a bonus, and the main idea is to give her more solid education around the bigger tracks. I let the brake off today as Danny had done a great job, and the ground was in perfect condition – it rode even better than it walked.”

Enjoying a great few days following his super run at Badminton, Murphy progressed to fill second spot with the slower but clear Fernhill Frankie, from Brian Morrison, who clocked up the fastest round of the class with Jane O’Flynn’s Master McCormack.

In terms of difficulty, the stiff track proved no problem for the 12 starters, but the time was hard to achieve. The order juggled further still in the show jumping, which saw the top three combinations after dressage lose their positions. Penalties resulted in demotion for leaders Alex Houston (Skyfall Echo), and while Ali Holden and O My Balladeer enjoyed a great three-star debut to fill second spot initially, they too slipped down the order, as did Patricia Ryan with Dunrath Eclipse.

FIRST VICTORY

Michelle Kenny is another rider opting to take her time with a high profile horse, and she too landed her first Irish victory in the O/CNC2* with the exciting mare Aspe.

Ridden at last year’s Rio Olympic Games by Swedish rider Ludvig Svennerstal, the Holstein-bred daughter of Singulord Joter joined Kenny and the River Lodge Eventing team earlier this season.

The pair opened the year by competing on the Sunshine Tour show jumping circuit in Spain, and according to Kenny they are happy to “take things slowly and spend the season consolidating”.

At Kilguilkey, the duo filled second spot on the flat, before forging ahead after two fast clear rounds. First phase leaders Meabh Bolger and her Ballindenisk winner Killossery Athletic Touch were unlucky to lose their early advantage after a contested 20 penalties at curving skinnies (4abc) but their departure opened the door for second placed Joseph Murphy (HL Mrs Imp) and also the smart junior partnership of Corinna Bowe and LCC Cooley in third.

The aforementioned curving complex at four, as well as the main water (11) was responsible for the four who erred.

The River Lodge Eventing team were on track to land a double in the CNC2*, but an unfortunate pole in the final phase proved costly for leaders Rafael Sanctuary and RLE Carsontown Lord.

Settling for third spot, the Co Wexford pair slotted in behind the clean jumping Ian Walsh and Elm Rainbow, as well as second placed Joseph Murphy riding the improving Rock Harbour.

The consistent Elm Rainbow (by Puissance) was recording his third win at this level, and is now set to contest the forthcoming internationals at Kilguilkey and at Camphire. “I’m mad about him,” rider Ian Walsh said. “I’ve had him since he was four, and to see him doing well at this level is great for his supportive owners and breeders Brian Rice and Una O’Gorman.”