THE penultimate leg of this year’s Horse Sport Ireland’s eventing autumn development series was hosted by Ralph Conroy at his Milchem Equestrian Centre, Tynagh, Co Galway last Sunday when it was cold, crisp and dry in the morning and wet and windy in the afternoon.

Throughout the day, Chris Ryan provided an informative commentary while the dressage judging duties were split between Sue Ryan in the morning, with Sinead McGrath taking over for the non HSI EI90cms class to give her a break, and Liam Maloney who assessed those in the later EI100 and EI110 classes.

HSI provided sponsorship of €1,750 for each of its classes with an additional €500 for the breeder of each winner. Conor Sheridan from HSI was on hand for all the presentations. Prizes for the non HSI classes were sponsored by the Barnaboy Stud of Conor Connolly and Margaret Hynes.

Ballinrobe-based dressage coach McGrath sponsored two prizes for the day’s best dressage scores which were won by her daughter Rebecca with Tickerlevan Sun Rise (25.25 penalties) in the non HSI classes and by Kilkenny raider Fraser Duffy riding Fernhill Count On Me (20.5) in the HSI classes.

Antley Equestrian in Ballymahon also sponsored a prize for the highest-placed pony in the non HSI EI80 and EI90 classes where the winners were McGrath on her father Fintan’s Tickerlevan Sun Rise (EI80) and Oisin McDonagh riding Conroy’s Milchem My Lady.

Flowing track

The flowing jumping track consisted of a combination of eight show jumping fences followed by cross-country obstacles which included a bank and a water splash, all providing a great introduction for the young horses.

Huge credit must go to Conroy and his team for preparing such a great course, especially as they had to build in torrential conditions on Saturday. There was much appreciation for all those who helped on Sunday, particularly when the weather deteriorated in the afternoon.

With so many producers of young horses competing at Le Lion d’Angers this weekend, the final leg of the series will be staged this day week, Saturday, October 29th at Wexford Equestrian where there will also be four non HSI classes from EI90 to EI115 level. The finals of the centre’s own TopSpec combined training and dressage leagues take place at the Tomhaggard venue today.