Margie McLoone

EVENTING Ireland action in the Northern Region concluded in brilliant sunshine last Saturday at Ballyvannon, an event which was originally scheduled for August.

Then, it was postponed because of the prevalent bad weather but, two months later and following much needed rain on Friday and overnight, ground conditions were ideal as the Glendinning family welcomed all to their venue overlooking Lough Neagh.

Changes to the regime on the neighbouring farm resulted in the loss of the usual first field for the cross-country course. The track was slightly shorter than normal and, for the novices, seven (12 efforts) of their 19 fences were in the final field after they tackled the two-part laurel lane crossing (12).

There were few jumping faults recorded at this level but a couple of combinations were caught out by the fifth fence, Noddy’s treble (two skinny birch-topped ‘horses’ either side of a wall on a downhill run) and the following skinny birches. Rachel Rendle, who was already eliminated for three refusals at six, was unseated when Primrose Hill stopped suddenly at the following silver eel. With the back pole lowered, this open ditch caused very few problems on Saturday.

There were a few falls throughout the day, the most unlucky being that of Neil Marsh who tried his hardest to stay on board Shanroe Specialist following an error at the roadside palisade (11) in the pre-novice but very slowly gave way to gravity, landing on his feet.

As the number of runners was small (100), there was a very relaxed atmosphere and most people were on their way home by 4pm. On behalf of the riders, joint-commentator Peter Quirke thanked all volunteers for their efforts during the season and he, in turn, was publicly acknowledged for his input by rider Declan Cullen.

As throughout much of the year, Steven Smith had a good day. From four rides, he won and placed second in the open novice and landed the 13-runner Lightsource Renewable Energy CNC* with My Ballymac Bay who completed on his winning dressage score of 21 penalties.

Smith was first out across the country in this class with Prestige, who was in second place after the first two phases (27), but retired the inexperienced Condios gelding at the skinny birches. This allowed Joanne Jarden move back into the runner-up spot with MJI Wendy who had added four show jumping penalties to her good flat work mark of 24.5 before picking up 3.2 cross-country time penalties.

Since being repatriated, the Out Of Touch eight-year-old My Ballymac Bay has been a model of consistency apart from being retired last time out at Knockany. While all of the Smith horses are for sale, Steven and brother Trevor aren’t too worried if this fellow isn’t moved on too quickly.

 “He’s a very good jumper,” said Steven, “and now that we have worked out some early steering issues, is proving a good ride. If he does go out again next weekend, Katy (McKenzie) may be back on board. We will work on his dressage over the winter.”

Three of the four entries in the O/CNC1* carried the Ringfort suffix and it was the two partnered by Smith who topped the leaderboard at the end of the day.

Ringfort Valentino, who retired early in the open intermediate at Lisgarvan, recorded his seventh win at this level when finishing on his excellent dressage score of 18. Bred by Diane Harron Eakin out of her Renkum Englishman mare Renkum Inglewood, the 10-year-old Renkum Valentino gelding is another who may be seen out again this weekend before being put by until next season.

The breeder was present to see her Ringfort Rubicon complete on his flat work mark of 24 to finish second. On their first outing of the weekend, Joseph Murphy and Killossery Athletic Touch slipped to third, their total of 26.8 including 2.8 cross-country time penalties.