EI 110 classes

ALWAYS a strong competitor on the flat, Alison Holden posted another - if much tighter - victory in the EI 110 (O). This time she rode the younger Lates Eddie, and while the pair comfortably led the dressage on 23.4, the drop of a coloured pole in the show jumping saw them complete on the same score as Melanie Young with Sorbet. Sourced from Tom Fitzgerald in Kilkenny, and bought as a three-year-old, Lates Eddie is another by My O My out of the Swedish mare Little Star.

“We bought him because he was the same sire O My Balladeer and just hoped – in vain as it turned out, that he wouldn’t grow to be quite as big,” explained the rider.

Time penalties, both in the show jumping and the cross-country juggled the remaining order slightly, but neither bothered Ella Boyle (Catriona) who made her successful seasonal debut in third.

Competitive

In what was probably the hottest class of the day, the EI 110 honours fell to Sarah Ennis with the much-admired Heritage Stellor Lacato. An impressively neat jumper and no slouch on the flat, the son of Latour led from flag fall, to head Daniel Alderson riding Freda Kirwan’s Global Javall Gold and Adam Haugh with GH Andorra.

“I’m so, so proud of him,” enthused Ennis of her winner. “He gives me an amazing feel, and he’s really brave.” Bred by Anne-Marie O’Gorman in Co Tipperary, and owned by Tracy McKeown, Ennis sourced the six-year-old from Derek McConnell last autumn.

“I just happened to see a video of him, and contacted Dereck immediately,” she explained. Ennis went on to compliment the appearance of the new set of show jumps, which recently acquired by Eventing Ireland for the use at all venues, were first seen at Ballindenisk three weeks ago.

While the winner was one of several to pick up annoying time penalties in the show jumping, it was the cross-country that put paid to the challenge of Corentin Gautier and Tullvbards Dream Ahead. The Fethard-based duo, were poised to fill third spot, but as one of four combinations to pick up penalties in the country, unfortunately parted company at the Trakehner four from home.