DUNCAN McFadyen recorded a double during last Sunday’s third round of the Eventing Ireland Western Region combined training series, held at the Milchem Equestrian Centre, Tynagh.

Scottish national McFadyen, who is based at Ralph Conroy’s Co Galway venue, initiated his brace in the 13-runner EI90, where he completed on his Vida Tansey-awarded dressage score (30 penalties) with Amory McMahon’s Woodfield Bonus.

This 2017 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Financial Reward was bred by Rosemary Connors, out of her wonderful Lucky Valier mare Woodfield Valier. The bay will compete in the upcoming Western Region Starter Series before being aimed at Balmoral Show.

Also based at Milchem, Jason Doerflinger finished second with the previous week’s winner, Milchem Gemstone (30.25), marginally claiming that position ahead of Leagh Daniels riding Blackmoor Crest (30.75). Doerflinger lost out on fourth when having a fence down with HSF Milchem (35.75).

Following three rounds of the series, Doerflinger and Milchem Gemstone top the EI90 leaderboard on 11 points, followed by the same rider and HSF Milchem (nine). On seven points, McFadyen and Woodfield Bonus share third place with Kathrina O’Shea and Ringwood Pommello.

McFadyen brought up his double in the two-runner EI110, which he landed for the second week running on board Niall Daly’s ISH mare Rutland Flamenco (32.5 penalties). He and the 2019 Casallco bay, who he competed with both Eventing Ireland and Show Jumping Ireland last season, comfortably dominate the EI110 league.

Co Meath’s Caroline Lynch headed west for the third Sunday running and recorded a second win in Section A of the EI80 with her own and Robert McHugh’s Irish Draught mare Hio Easter Rose, a five-year-old grey by Moylough Legacy out of Hio Mayo Rose (by Clonakilty Hero).

On their dressage score of 27.25 penalties, Lynch and Hio Easter Rose finished well clear of their 13 rivals, who were headed by Calum O’Kelly on Peaches (32.25) and Aoife McCabe riding Sásta (33).

Nine starters

There were only nine starters in Section B where, for the second time in seven days, the honours went to Jason Doerflinger and Ralph Conroy’s highly-regarded and well-related Milchem Giovanni (29.75 penalties). This four-year-old home-bred ISH gelding by Tyson proved a clear-cut winner, ahead of the Kathrina O’Shea-partnered Ringwood Kiwi (37.5).

At this stage in the EI80 league, Lynch and Hio Easter Rose top the table on 13 points, followed by Doerflinger and Milchem Giovanni (12). A point further adrift are O’Kelly and Peaches, who share third spot with Doerflinger and Tim MacDonagh’s Hollypark Tyson.

Having finished second in round two, Priya Cosgrave stepped up to win last Sunday’s EI100 class on her dressage score (25.8 penalties) with Paulank Redbreast, a 14-year-old 128cm Rotherwood Aristotle gelding with 687 Show Jumping Ireland points, who was bred by Frank and Paula Cullen out of Paulank Jacara (by Cadan Valley Tycoon). Another Milchem-affiliated rider, Oisin McDonagh finished second with Milchem My Lady (32.5), a 2017 mare, on whom he won six EI100 (P) classes last season.

Cosgrave, who started competing Paulank Redbreast at 60cm level in 2021, shares top spot on nine points in the EI100 league with Katie Gibbons and Milchem Free Spirit. Gibbons also lies third on eight points with Milchem Watermill.