THE equestrian sport most affected by the weather is eventing and not just because a fixture might be suddenly, and understandably, postponed or cancelled, but because a huge amount of work goes into an event in the days and weeks beforehand, particularly at a once-a-year, all grass venue.

In 2024, 27 Eventing Ireland-affiliated events were held, with 16 being cancelled. Ten years ago, well over 40 EI one-days were staged, many at venues now lost to the organisation, such as Kedrah Castle, Annaharvey, Kilmanahan, Ballinamona, Kircubbin, Monart, Boden Park and Killossery Lodge, which would have run multiple fixtures per season, and once-a-year venues, such as Knockany, Scarvagh, Gurteen and Maddybenny.

One can understand therefore why, in commenting on his season, professional rider Patrick Whelan said: “It’s tough and getting tougher.” And this statement came from the busiest competitor on the eventing circuit in Ireland for the third year running. However, the Wexford rider’s number of runs this year dropped to 96 from 116 in 2023 (112 in 2022), while he only recorded six wins, as opposed to 10 last year and 19 in 2022.

Fairly obviously, Whelan topped the win leaderboard in 2022, but it was Gilford’s Steven Smith who did so the following season (12 wins). The perpetual Northern Region champion repeated the feat again this year, but the last of his 13 victories was recorded as far back as August 5th when, on Tullaher Paudie, he won the DAFM Studbook Eventing Series qualifier (EI115 for seven-year-olds) at Hillcrest (3).

Smith didn’t compete at the series final, which was held in early September during the EI National Championships at Kilguilkey House. There, the winners were Heidi Hamilton on Cavaliers Cruiz (EI115), whose next outing was at Le Lion d’Angers, Alannah Kelly with Cooley Capri Sun (EI110 for six-year-olds), who then rounded off their season by finishing second of 31 in the CCI2*-L at Ballindenisk, and Clare Abbott on MT Kenobis Touch (EI100 for five-year-olds), who also competed in the DAFM show jumping series.

While some riders might have been giving themselves and their horses a rest, it’s hard to understand why more didn’t contest at least one leg of the DAFM eventing development series, given the excellent prize money on offer at these standalone fixtures.

Clear rounds

Back to the season’s statistics, Whelan finished ahead of Smith when it came to cross-country clears (82 to 73) but, when it came to clears within the time, the Wexford rider had to settle for third (37) behind Smith (46) and Godfrey Gibbons (38). That Co Galway young rider finished on his dressage score on 27 occasions, recording 43 clear show jumping rounds, a record bettered only by Smith (48) and Co Waterford-based English international Daniel Alderson (46) and matched by Robbie Kearns.

Two of Smith’s cross-country clears within the time were recorded at the very welcome new Northern Region one-day at Alison and James Callion’s Ash Hollow Equestrian which, driving into, resembled a golf course. Given the number of events lost in the last 10 years also, it was disappointing to hear owners and riders criticise the ground conditions in the now rare undulating show jumping ring, after some very heavy rain. The owners said they would address this in the future, which will probably mean another all-weather arena.

Abbey Ferris and How Ya Sammy pictured winning the EI90 (P) at the Eventing Ireland National Championships at Kilguilkey \ Horse Sport Images

Excellent campaign for Ferris

Young Abbey Ferris could hardly have wished for a better year, as she proved successful competing as a member of the Newcastle Lyons Branch of the Irish Pony Club, won when competing under the rules of Dressage Ireland (which she represented at the British Dressage Youth Home Nations international in Wales) and on the Eventing Ireland circuit.

Ferris won three of the six EI90 (P) classes she entered on her mother Mary’s Connemara gelding How Ya Sammy, signing off for the campaign when landing the EI90 (P) title at the national championships on the bay son of Woodfield Sammy.

Ferris ended the season topping two of the EI statistical leaderboards. She posted the lowest dressage score (13.8 penalties at the national championships in Kilguilkey House where she had a pole down show jumping) and on that 17.8 penalties, the lowest finishing score in common with Heidi Brabazon. The latter earned her place at the top when winning the 30-runner EI90 at Tattersalls on the Connemara gelding Blackfort Melody.