IT was third time lucky for the event team at Frankfort who, following two weather related cancellations, finally opened their gates last Saturday.

Much to the delight of organiser Will Kearney, the Gorey-based event had attracted its biggest entry to date and as a bonus, the sun shone for the duration.

“Everyone was in good spirits, and we had a great day,” said Kearney. “To cater for this size of entry was a learning curve for us, and now we know a bit more we will improve things further in October.”

Among the upgrades Kearney is considering will be a much-appreciated addition of a public address system in the lorry park.

Situated at the far side of a lengthy underpass, this is logistically not as easy as it sounds, but will really be of benefit to riders and connections and especially for those with multiple rides.

Out on track, Kearney had introduced a few changes, but retained the right-handed route that was used at the close of last season. He did however reduce the jumping efforts to the minimum requirements, in order to produce a more galloping track and one that appeared less cluttered.

EI110 classes

The Hawthorn Farm-based O’Haire family have enjoyed the best possible start to their 2023 campaign and having already sported four individual wins from as many outings, they made it five out of five when patriarch James claimed the EI110 (O) aboard Liberty Belle.

In a complete reversal from the opening dressage order, O’Haire was the only member of the starting trio to retain his first phase score, thus turning the tables on the slightly slower but otherwise foot-perfect John Tilley (License To Cooley) as well as flat work leader Robbie Kearns (RCA Royal Summer).

“There may only have been three in the class, but each one was a good one,” commented O’Haire afterwards. “The ground was in super condition and this run has set us up perfectly for the CCI3*-S at Millstreet in three weeks’ time.”

Owned and bred by the Honourable Penelope Guinness, who unfortunately was unable to travel to the venue, Liberty Belle is an 11-year-old by Heritage Fortunas out Grace Darling by Cavalier Royale. Carrying useful international form, she is a half-sister to O’Haire’s good three-star mare Nancy Belle, who back in 2018 competed in the CICO3*-Nations Cup at Millstreet.

In second spot, John Tilley and the Hillcrest winner License To Cooley added just 2.8 time penalties to their opening score, while Robbie Kearns aboard new ride RCA Royal Summer tipped a coloured rail to slip to third.