RUNNING with its customary full quota of entries, and a waiting list of disappointed riders, Grove celebrated its 25th anniversary of affiliated eventing last weekend. The Ponsonby family’s venue has enjoyed a long association with all things equestrian, which began when William Barton introduced a pack of foxhounds to the estate in 1820. In the years that followed, the park has provided an idyllic venue for Pony Club meets, rallies, and gymkhanas.

Today, thanks to the foresight, enthusiasm and expertise from the late Pamela Stokes, Peter Ponsonby and Van de Vater, and under the guidance of its indefatigable organiser Rosemary Ponsonby, eventing at Grove has not only survived but thrived.

Sunday’s quarter century celebrations also coincided with the birthday of Graham Boyd, who took over the course building responsibilities from Peter Ponsonby for the first time this year. Boyd’s fences around the Allen and Paul Brady-designed tracks were attractively created, and ran fluently over partially aerovated but well covered ground.

Largely due to the persuasive powers of Rosemary Ponsonby, the event is supported by a loyal band of sponsors. Among them are Carol Gee’s Fernhill Sport Horses and Paul Donovan’s Sportsfield Event Horses, who jointly presented a trophy to winning O/CNC2* partnership of Meabh Bolger and Killossery Athletic Touch.

This was a classy win for Bolger who, heading into the country in second spot, remained just adrift of Clare Abbott and Glenkeeran River at the start of the final phase. With no margin for error however, a rub at the penultimate proved expensive for Abbot, and it was Bolger who took the spoils.

It has been quite a journey for young horse producer Bolger, who, having bought the talented but enigmatic gelding two years ago, is now contemplating a move to three-star level. Admitting she is in unchartered territory, the Co Waterford rider commented: “Our good run at Tattersalls brought him on enormously, so we will do the CIC2* at Camphire, and then if all goes well, I will ask for a bit of advice and then possibly run him in the CIC3* at Millstreet in the autumn.”

While it was tough for Abbott, who for the second week running lost out in the final moments, the Olympian did gain some compensation when she was presented with the Van de Vater perpetual trophy for the highest placed rider after dressage. In the end, she completed in third spot, just behind Emma Jackson and Amy B.

The two-star track was initially softened after riders had queried the related distance between the narrow brush/rail (15) and the following the corners (16ab). The fence was ultimately omitted but despite that, the course was not without its challenges. The double of roll tops (3) early on track caught out Cathal Daniels (OLS Back Chat) and a stop at the water (7ab) penalised Brian Morrison with Cloonacauneen Black Beauty. These were the only riders to err, although Joanne Corish gained elimination having galloped past the oxer just before the water.

Jackson went one better in the following Bedmax CNC2*, which she headed with the attractive mare Silken Allure. An uncharacteristically bad run from dressage leaders Camilla Speirs (LEB Lias Jewel) had left the door open, while time penalties proved very influential. As a result Jackson’s fast round rocketed her from an initial sixth place, just ahead of Adam Haugh (Jezebelle), who was the only rider to complete within the time, in second.

The winner carries one of the most consistent records under EI rules, and since gaining second spot in the young event horse class at the RDS as a five-year-old, has only made one recorded jumping error. Produced by Jackson in her early days, and then sold to junior James Green, the daughter of Creevagh Ferro returned to her former rider two years ago. Now nine-years-old, she moved up to two-star level the previous week, and may now head to Camphire.

“I wasn’t expecting Annaharvey to be quite so strong, so I was keen to come here as I knew it would be nice and the ground good,” explained Jackson. “She’s a funny wee mare, but we get on and always have done. I love her – I don’t intend to sell her, and will keep her to breed from.”

Completing a clean sweep for northern riders, Clare Abbot slipped into third with Timpany Night, from Jackson again riding Creevagh For Sure.

ISH CLASSES

Landing the first leg of an impressive hat-trick for Richard Sheane’s Cooley Farms, Katie O’Sullivan and AKD Cooley Lockdown dominated the ISH six-year-old feature from the front. Racking up his fourth win of the current campaign, the son of Balou du Rouet held an unassailable lead (23.7) on the flat before drawing further away to win by a margin of seven marks. A winner at Clyda recently, Sheane has already voiced his admiration for the gelding who he hopes will line up at Le Lion d’Angers later in the year.

Another to impress, Ros Devereux’s mare Barnaby Princess (30.5) looked very smart in second under new rider Patrick Byrne, while also clear, Shannon Nelson piloted Annaharvey winner OLS King Aragon into third.

A delighted Bridget McGing was on site to witness her home-bred Diamond Pointe take the honours in a strong five-year-old sector (EI 100 track). Running for the first time under Ian Cassells, the classy daughter of Pointilliste led from flag fall (25.0) to pip hot favourite Shannondale Icarus and Louise Bloomer (25.8) as well as Alyssa O’Neill riding Colacentric (26.3).

The winner, who was prominent in the Stepping Stones series earlier in the year, is the first foal out of the useful two-star mare Diamond Fleck.

Like the five-year-olds, the leaderboard in the younger four-year-old division (EI 90 track) fell largely in first phase order. Crowning a good few weeks, Kelley Hutchinson took the red ribbon with her eye-catching chesnut HSH Golden Boy, as well as third with HSH Piccini.

A recent purchase from Goresbridge, the winning son of Eastern Hero (bred by Pat Gavin) has already picked up his RDS qualifying ticket at Scarteen, and making his debut appearance on the event track, headed Michael McNally aboard Patrick Wall’s John A (Baltydaniel Silver Fox).