TWO owner/riders, who began the year competing in the Western Region’s starter series, won the EI90 and EI80 at Clyda last Sunday with two Eventing Ireland newcomers.

Rathmolyon-based Caroline Lynch has done quite a bit with her Irish Sport Horse gelding DS Bouncer 007, on whom she completed the 11-runner Mervue Equine EI90 on her winning dressage score (28 penalties).

The Moylough Bouncer five-year-old, who Lynch purchased from Liam Lynskey, won a leg of the Stepping Stones league in the spring and has 104 Dressage Ireland points to his credit.

The grey was bred by Aisling O’Brien out of the Castlecomer Q mare Duharra Silver Rose. DS Bouncer 007 may be aimed at Tuesday’s Forth Mountain leg of the Young Eventhorse Series or may head to Grove next weekend.

Comeback

Donnacha Anhold, who last competed under EI rules in August 2022, filled the top two spots in the five-strong EI80 on five-year-old geldings carrying the prefix of his Croghan, Co Roscommon yard. Despite 1.6 cross-country time penalties, Rushfield Ballingowan won on a total of 35.9, while Rushfield Gortermore Colandro placed second on his dressage score of 37.3.

The winning Hype bay was purchased from his breeder, Ann O’Grady, as a two-year-old.

He is out of the Master Imp mare Ballingowan Boula, a half-sister of the Young Convinced gelding Ivar Gooden (CCI5*-L).

By Colandro out of the Cruising mare Leaving Cruise Mount, Rushfield Gortermore Colando was purchased as a three-year-old through the Mayo-Roscommon Breeders’ Group Sale from his breeder Gabriel Cooke.

Time and patience

“Both horses are really alert, big, blood, rangy types that need time,” said Anhold. “Plans this year would be to get them out competing as much as possible at EI90 and EI100 levels, along with some classes on the outdoor agricultural show circuit, and have them ready for EI110 next year. I hope to keep them and produce them for as long as I can.”