THERE were increased entries in all three Philip Scott-judged non-age classes at last Sunday’s second qualifying round of the Eventing Ireland Western Region Berts Properties Starter Series, which was held at Milchem Equestrian.

Entries jumped from seven to 15 in the newly-introduced Gerry Daniels Timber Harvesting and Callatra Stables Open class which, on Sunday, was won, on her dressage score (51.5 points), by regional PRO Hannah Gordon with her Dutch Warmblood pony stallion Hans, a 13-year-old son of Kojak. Also qualifying in second and third here were Tim MacDonagh on his Irish Draught five-year-old Hollypark Rock On Rocco (47.5), a grey by Carrickrock Close Shave, and Jane Field with the Connemara gelding Clonmoylan Red Hugh (46), a 16-year-old grey by True Commotion.

Oisin McDonagh riding Mr Draco winner of the Ponies class at the EI Western Region Berts Properties Starter Series \ Aisling Deverell Photography

The highest score (55.5) was actually recorded by the tall, 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Rushfield Houdini. This Cedric bay was competed hors concours by Donnacha Anhold, whose company, Carter, Anhold & Co, sponsor the winners’ rugs. Oisin McDonagh repeated his win in the 11-runner pony class on the Irish Sport Pony Mr Draco (57 points), a five-year-old Greenvale Draco gelding, while the also previously qualified combination of Hannah Gordon and Ivy So Whitty placed second on 50.6.

Claiming the tickets on this occasion were Sean Gormally on the five-year-old gelding Dark Note (46.5), who had a fence down jumping, Michelle Geraghty with the year older gelding Spot The Pebbles (46) and Lara Field riding the 2019 Irish Sport Horse mare Creganna Gypsy O (45.5).

Five went to post for the Treo Eile thoroughbred class, where there was a runaway winner in the Emily Murphy-owned and ridden Lilly Bobtail, who completed on her excellent flat work mark of 54 points. Patricia Newman claimed the only other qualifying ticket on offer, when finishing second with her 11-year-old Campaign Swing gelding Cry Of The Dreamer (45.5), who she used to ride herself in point-to-points and bumpers.

Mullingar-based Murphy has been enjoying an excellent season to date with the unraced Lilly Bobtail, a five-year-old mare by Harzand, who was bred by Liam Gavin out of the also unraced French-bred mare Royal Jubilee (by Zanzibari).