HAVING been wrong footed by the weather three weeks ago, Danny Dulohery was determined to leave nothing chance at Kilguilkey last weekend. Running in the midst of the heatwave is never an easy task, but Dulohery and his team pulled out all the stops to water the ground and the riders were delighted with the outcome.
“We aggrovated the entire place, including the dressage and show jumping arenas on Friday evening, then spread 100,000 tons of water on Saturday morning,” commented Dulohery. “We then started watering again very early on Sunday morning, before rolling and watering again. This held the moisture in the ground, and while it was a massive amount of work, the feedback made it worth it. I have to say – it’s a lot easier to manage ground in a settled dry spell, than when you are expecting a lot of rain and it doesn’t arrive!”
Running just two weeks before the next scheduled international meeting at the venue, many of the entrants were clocking up the necessary MERS and while the newly routed tracks were up to height they rode well and proved straightforward.
Saturday classes
Elizabeth Hayden and DLS The Professor racked up their first win of the current campaign, when landing the four-strong EI 115 (O) from the front. Despite carrying forward 2.8 time penalties, the pair narrowly retained their advantage over Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint.
Dominic Furnell’s Dutch import Horlepiep might not be the easiest of individuals and indeed retired on his last two outings, but on best behaviour on Saturday, he proved unbeatable in a very strong EI 115 class. The imported son of Saffier led the field of 23 from the outset and progressed smoothly to complete less than a point in front of Daniel Alderson with Global Jazz. The well related Horlepiep is bred to show jump, and boasting the best credentials, he is a sibling to the international horse Vignet (1.60m) and a further two other top horses of 1.50m status.
“He has all the talent in the world, but can be a bit quirky at times,” commented Furnell. “If he performs, he performs, but sometimes he can see something out of the corner of his eye and then he can be a bit unpredictable!” In a class where double clears were delivered by the majority, and the cross country passed with incident, Fraser Duffy held third with Designer Fernhill.
It was a similar story in the EI 110 (O) which went the way of Michael Ryan and the experienced TR Kaygraff. Having a quiet run at a lower level, Ryan led from the front, to complete four clear marks ahead of Louise Kennedy with Soverign Guy. Just five ran.
While only one runner in the EI 110 failed to complete, the two jumping phases, as well as the tight time allowed, were far more influential. In fact, only two of the 14 starters kept their dressage scores intact, but coming close was Italian rider Luca Bortolamei who headed the field with just 0.8 to add. Based in Kilkenny for the past year, and working for Carol Gee as second rider and yard manager, Bortolamei rode Fernhill DOS Spideog, a Sibon-sired six-year-old bred by Dennis O’Sullivan. In second spot on the flat, they reversed placings with Brian Morrison, who having lowered a coloured rail slipped to second with Global Fugitive. Chloe Fagan and Loughnavalley filled third, but enjoying a good day the Mullingar-based rider went on to win the EI 100 with newcomer Fortmill Farco Island, from Michael McNally aboard EE Parlanti Cruise.