GILLIAN Beale-King partnered the first of the two Richard Ames-owned winners at Grove last Sunday, when she headed the well supported EI100 (five-year-olds) aboard the smart Belline Castle Fifty Seven.

Bred by Noel Ruane out of the Harlequin du Carel mare Skeheenarinky Lass, the son of Sligo Candy Boy was sourced by Ames last year. “We think he’s very special,” said Beale King, who led the class from pillar to post. “We’ve taken our time with him, and I’m thrilled to see him progress, especially as the win has evaded him all season.”

Posting the sole sub-30 flat work mark, and one of only two clears within the time, the Piltown pairing completed a distance ahead of Ian Cassells aboard Lucy McCarthy’s Greenogue Gigi (by Je t’Aime Flamenco), and also Neilus O’Donoghue riding his own Chacoa-sired mare Ballybunion Lass. The cross-country rode well for these youngsters, with just one picking up a penalty.

With 27 starters, the result in the open sector was almost decided on the flat. The top 10 all returned with their dressage scores intact and the entire field went clear across the country. Show-jump errors proved expensive for some, but the coloured poles were no problem for Lucca Stubington who led the sector from flag fall with the home-bred mare Zeevagh Green.

Recording her second win from just three runs under rules, the seven-year-old is by Creevagh Ferro out of the event mare Ethos (by Last News). Lucca evented Ethos in the junior ranks, while her mother Georgia rode the third dam Juniper Green, in three junior European championships.

Well related in her own right, Zeevagh Green is out of a half-sister to the Nations Cup jumper Kiltoom (1.50m), and although the equine family changed hands over the years, Georgia was able to buy back into it again. “This mare Zeevagh Green is her great-grandam reincarnated,” said Georgia.

Staying in dressage order, Michael Ryan filled second with Mimi Falb’s lovely stallion Diamant de Heraldik, from Gerald Bloomer aboard Caroline Bjoerk’s home-bred son of Pointilliste, DSL Point The Way.

Four-year-olds

Richard Ames’ Belline Event team dominated the EI 90 (four-year-olds) at Grove by filling the top two placings. Pole position fell to Catie Slater and Belline Imperial Diamond who, having gained a substantial advantage on the flat, was never headed. A son of Imperial Hights, he was sourced last year and may complete the season at Punchestown this weekend.

Coming closest to fill second was the Go For Gold bound Belline Olympic Date (Elle Toner), while flying the flag for the stallion Imperial Hights, Lucy McIlroy took third spot with the first-timer Imperial Wonder.

Patrick Whelan and the Connemara pony Rocky Pontoon repeated their Clyda feat to claim the EI 90 open sector, reversing placings with dressage leaders Bohola Hero and Pauline Dahill who carried four penalties from the show jumping. David Raeburn delivered a good double clear to finish in third spot with JJ Big Red.