THE Western Region of Eventing Ireland added a new Open section to its Berts Properties Starter Series this year and last Sunday’s inaugural class at Galway Equestrian attracted seven entries, three of whom qualified for next month’s final, while one failed to finish.

Sponsored by Gerry Daniels Timber Harvesting and Callatra Stables, the class has been devised ‘to give riders an experience of eventing in a fun, educational and confidence-giving way, to encourage riders to get involved in eventing and to raise the profile of eventing in the Western Region’.

Making her own bit of history as the marginal winner of this first qualifier was Nicola Coleman, who completed on her dressage score (42 marks) with her Irish Sport Horse gelding Baronscourt Dancing Boy, who has 211 Showjumping Ireland points to his credit. A 19-year-old son of Dancing Boy, the chesnut was bred in Co Cavan by Gordon Drury out of the Aldato mare ISHD Baronscourt.

Keith Maloney qualified two horses in second and third, the Irish Sport Horse mare Bermingham Justine (42), an eight-year-old daughter of Purple Lad who was clear in the jumping phase, and the year younger Irish Draught gelding Barana George (39.5), who lost four marks having led after dressage on 43.5.

Most disappointingly, there were just two entries in the opening Treo Eile thoroughbred class, both of whom secured a qualifying ticket when completing on their dressage scores. The comfortable winner was the Julie Spring-owned and ridden Mr Vincent (55) a tall, eight-year-old Watar gelding who has 36 Dressage Ireland points.

All winners went home with rugs, sponsored by solicitors Carter Anhold & Co.

The series continues tomorrow at Milchem Equestrian; on Sunday, March 30th at Tubberbride Equestrian; on Sunday, April 6th at Clare Equestrian; on Sunday, April 13th at Claremorris Equestrian, with the final scheduled for Easter Monday, April 21st back at Milchem Equestrian. Combinations must be in a qualifying position at one qualifier plus have completed one other qualifier to be eligible for the final. Full details can be found on the Western Region’s Facebook page.