Underage classes

THE show jumping proved majorly influential in the EI 110 (J) and with the dressage leader Ted O’Leary and Silver Brog adding 10 penalties to their opening score, the win went to Matthew Kelly aboard the six-year-old Fanlehane Neriah.

With three rides in the class, and clean sheets with two of them, Kelly also filled second place aboard the consistent Ah To Be Sure. Ellen Douglas also completed on her first-phase score to slot into third with Downshire Rock.

Paddy Smullen and Frances Crowley’s Avalon Romulus have been knocking on the door all season, so it was good to see them get their heads in front to win the EI 100 (J). Unusually bred by Cointreau Van de Withoeve (BWP) out of a Connemara pony, the six-year-old winner impressed from the outset, and carrying a mark of 26.8, led Grace Scully with the experienced Wolf Cub.

In dressage order the top five completed on their opening scores, and just one erred in the country.

In the EI110(P) there were only three runners, and when leaders Georgina Pettit and Ballyerk Black Beauty were eliminated in the show jumping, the red ribbon went to Portlairge and Maria Fouhy. This was the first win at the level for the pair, who moved up to the upper ranks this season.

Crowning a memorable day for the Cullen family and making the long journey from the north worthwhile, Kitty Cullen and Coppenagh Spring Sparrow were the runaway winners of the EI 100 (P). Their dressage mark of 23.5 was four points clear of the field of eight, and with all completing the cross country without faulting, the show jumping was the only other decider. Chasing all the way but five marks adrift, Amelia Scott was also clear to fill second with Gelato.

Winners at Ballindenisk last time out, Eva Murray landed back-to-back wins when heading the EI 90 (P) with her father Keith’s Connemara pony Lough Fadda Ruby. It was tight at the top however, as Georgina Pettit was less than two marks in arrears aboard another of the native breed Ballyerk Lover Boy.