Stepping into the breach at the 11th hour, Will Kearney and his team staged a successful and much appreciated fixture last Sunday. With the weather-related late cancellation of Loughanmore, and before that Punchestown, it was fortunate that as organiser Will Kearney was happy to step in. “We had a riding club event here the previous Sunday, so the lower level tracks were virtually ready to go,” explained Kearney. “I just had to do the 1.10m classes and we were all set. The entries were barely open for two days, so I was happy enough with the entry which at 130 was decent enough.”

While the north of the country, and indeed even north Leinster was under a deluge, both the ground and the weather at the Gorey venue held up well. The undulating ground over which the course runs provides an important education for the young horses and riders, who learn balance on all gradients. “The going was very good, with a nice cut in it,” added Kearney. “It was a bit last minute, so with that in mind, I want to thank all the volunteers who stepped in – especially over a bank holiday weekend.”

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Posting a win at the first time of asking, Ella Boyle could not have expected a better start to her partnership with new ride Samiro Cruze MC. Sourced through Andrew Williams just three weeks ago, the Samgemjee-sired eight-year-old was gifted a super dressage mark of 16.8 from flat work judge Jill Spring, and despite adding a further four penalties from the show jumping, still completed four marks ahead of his nearest challenger. Bred by Michael Condon, and a former graduate of the Go For Gold Sale, the advanced level gelding had been produced in his early years by Oliver Townend. A notable winner in England, where last season he was placed runner-up in the British novice championship at Gatcombe Park, the gelding was sent to Williams’ Kilkenny base earlier this spring. “Buying him wasn’t really the planned option,” said Boyle.

“I was on the road looking for young horses, and having called into Andrew’s yard I then decided to have a sit on this one. I immediately liked the feel of him, and although he’s bigger than I usually ride, and rangier and not what I’m used to, it will do me good to ride something different. I’m still getting used to him, but it would be nice to aim for a two star before the end of the year.”

Following a highly influential show jumping phase, in which only three of the 11 starters jumped clear, the opening order changed accordingly. Having been off the pace heading into the jumping, recent Crecora winners Patrick Whelan (HVL Ravensdale) were foot-perfect to move into second, while also making ground and putting in a very good performance, was third-placed Tara Dixon and Master Smart.