THE Botanica CCI2*S leaderboard changed quite a bit during the competition but it was Emily King and MBF Ballyknock Cruiser who finished their three phases on a score of 28.4, which was good enough to take the win. The Irish Sport Horse by OBOS Quality 004, is owned by Helen Morris and Alex Wilcox and was bred by Frank Casey.

“We’ve had such a good week here, the courses were awesome and we’ve found it to be a great education for the group of younger horses we brought,” King said.

Lates Eddie and Alison Holden impressed the judges, Paula Geiger and Agnieszka Mossakowska, with their test scoring 26.5 to lead after dressage. In second after dressage was Canadian rider Sabrina Glaser and Rossmount Point. With eight horses scoring sub-30 tests, the jumping phases were to prove influential. With poles falling in the show jumping arena, the illusive “FOD” was what clinched it for the final top three, each of whom managed to keep a clean sheet.

Sarah Ennis managed another podium placing, this time in second place with Dolmen Stellor Design, a seven year completing his second CCI2*S on 29.5, just 0.9 behind the eventual winner. In third place was Sophie Walshe and the thoroughbred Kinsau on 31.7. This combination also won the Treo Eile-sponsored prize for the highest placed thoroughbred. Holden and Lates Eddie finished in fourth place after adding some penalties in both jumping phases.