IT was a close call, but much to the relief of all, eventing in the south of the country finally got underway at Crecora last weekend. Running with a bumper entry and in glorious sunshine, the decision to run was truly vindicated.

“Like everywhere we have been, very wet,” commented joint organiser Gerald Furnell. “However, the forecast for the weekend was very optimistic and, with Ballindenisk just days away, we knew riders were keen to get a run. I hope everyone went home happy - we gave them the best ground available and, although the dressage arenas were sticky, it was the same for everyone.”

There were certainly no complaints from senior international Ian Cassells, who racked up a double in the EI115 (O) and the EI110. First up, Cassells teamed up with his European championship partner Woodendfarm Jack OD who, in second spot after dressage, was promoted after recording the fastest time of the day. “This was his first run since the championships, so it was great to have him out again,” said Cassells. “On walking, the going was probably a little stickier than I thought it might be, but on riding, he found it very easy, so it didn’t seem soft at all!” The home-bred son of Jack of Diamonds is currently on the market, but if not sold, the immediate plan will be to run at Millstreet at the end of next month.

Having just bettered Cassells on the flat to score a very respectable 28.2, last year’s national EI115 Open champions, John Tilley and License to Cooley, eventually settled for second spot. Opting not to push for the time, the Kilkenny-based duo added just 2.8 penalties to their opening score, completing ahead of Cassells again with his second ride Millridge Athos, as well as the young rider pairing of Ted O’Leary and Master Swatch.

While the remaining runners were clearly in no hurry to beat the clock, all nine completed without incident.

John Tilley with Trend De La Cruise (ISH), winner of the EI115 at Crecora 1 \ Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times

Fairytale ending

Pleased as he was with his first horse, John Tilley was even more delighted with his runaway win in the restricted sector. Delivering a fairytale ending to a lengthy saga, Tilley was making his first appearance with George and Jane Anderson’s Trend de la Cruise, an intermediate mare who had suffered horrific injuries in a road accident two years ago. Advised to have her put to sleep, but determined to save her, Tilley’s partner Andrew Williams tirelessly treated her, until she eventually returned to competition last year.

The mare was then campaigned in the UK by Fred Powell, but moved across to Tilley’s Kilkenny base over the winter. “When we moved here from Wales, George and Jane were initially and understandably reluctant for her to come with us,” he explained. “Luckily, they have since changed their minds and now plan to travel over here regularly to see her run. This was a great first outing together, and we are all looking forward to watching her in the three-star at Ballindenisk this weekend.” Diana Warrington bred this daughter of Future Trend, who is out of Air Cruise (Cruising).

In third place on the flat, and having posted the only double clear round in a field of eight, Tilley’s winning margin was extensive. Only Molly O’Neill (Muckridge Quick Step) and Sarah Wardell (Whydah) had bettered him on the flat, but when the former incurred an unlucky 20 penalties in the country, and the latter retired in the show jumping, promotion beckoned for second placed Rebecca Scott, with her long-time partner Althea Clover Dew, as well as James O’Haire aboard Oldrock Cloe in third.

EI110 (O)

As the professionals carved up the spoils between them, it was Sian Coleman who filled the top two spots in the EI110 (O). Foot-perfect with both horses, pole position went to Maurice Coleman’s smart Kilroe Frolic, an eight-year-old son of Cavalier Land out of Malibiues Dancer (OBOS Quality). Bred by Sean Barron in Co Wexford, Kilroe Frolic was double clear in Le Lion d’Angers last autumn and, having taken advantage of the earlier start in Britain this spring, was similarly clear at Thoresby Park a few weeks ago.

In second place, and deputising for his regular jockey Olivia Swan, Coleman also piloted Trish Hyde and Carol Swan’s Clonakilty Bay. With both horses bound for Ballindenisk this weekend, it was an encouraging start to the season as Coleman reports. “They both came out very relaxed, so I couldn’t be more pleased,” she said. “The going in the dressage was the hardest bit, but it was the same for everyone. There was plenty of grass cover and the cross-country had a number of questions and was a nice track.”

Hard luck story of the weekend must go to Michael O’Toole, who having wowed flat work judge Paula Geiger to earn a leading score of 24.8, took a crashing fall with Icco early out on track. A suspected broken collar bone was the outcome, but their omission benefitted both third placed Steven Smith (Mike of Mourne) and Sarah Dowley (Bonmahon Liberation) who, in fourth spot, delivered one of only three clean sheets.

EI110

On the eve of his departure for Saumur in France, Ian Cassells racked up another win in the 30-strong EI110 restricted. Riding for long-time owner Bridget McGing, Cassells partnered the home-bred Inquisitor, a traditionally bred seven-year-old by the thoroughbred sire Coroner out of Diamond Fleck (Coolcorran Cool Diamond).

As one of five double clears within the time, Cassells was promoted from second spot, just pipping his second ride and similarly clean jumping Greenogue Gigi. “Delighted with all of them, and good to see that all our winter training has paid off,” said Cassells. “We have taken time with Inquisitor, and very much have his future in mind. He’s a good mover, a good jumper and we think a lot of him. We’ll step up to three-star probably after Millstreet, with Le Lion D’Angers as the main aim for the season.”

Never far from the business end of the proceedings, Sian Coleman filled third with Gina Heaps’ marginally slower dressage leader Carrowgar Je T’Aime Max, as well as fourth aboard her second ride, Ballyvonare Rascal.

Chloe Fagan with Gervada (TB)(IRE), winner of the EI100 A at Crecora 1 \ Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times

It is always good to see the young horses at the head of affairs in the EI100 classes and, in what turned out to be a good day for thoroughbreds, the top spot fell to Charlie Walshe’s highly rated six-year-old Gervada. When trained by Ciaran Murphy, the Vadamos-sired gelding was unplaced on his only run under rules and, currently ridden by Chloe Fagan, he finished third in the potential event horse class at the RDS last summer. Since then, he has headed two unaffiliated events, but this was his first open appearance under EI rules. “We didn’t expect to win, so we’re delighted,” commented Walshe afterwards. “We hope to do the CCI*Intro at Millstreet, but we need to get more qualifying runs, and the calendar is very crowded.”

Riding another six-year-old, Sam Watson slotted into second, with his wife Hannah and Lesley Crampton’s Ballybolger Goldman (by Tullabeg Fusion) from Godfrey Gibbons aboard Alan Briscoe’s Cohiba by Piccobella Z. The top five all completed on their dressage scores, while the remaining scores juggled largely due to an influential show jumping phase.

In the second division, the honours went to the five-year-old event debutante Grantstown Imperial, ridden and produced by her owner Sadhbh Bolger. One of only three double clears from the field of 20, the John Widger-bred daughter of Imperial Heights opened in seventh place, before two clear and fast jumping phases earned her promotion. This was a rewarding win for Bolger, who works full-time for Henry de Bromhead, and manages to juggle her eventing into the equation. “I make it work, and hopefully we may do some of the RDS qualifiers in the summer,” she said.

In contrast to Bolger’s speedy round in the country, time faults proved expensive for second placed Daniel Alderson with Emma O’Shea’s six-year-old first timer Baby I’m a Star (Ulysses M2S), while making up significant ground, the quick pairing of Alannah Doherty and Etto B completed in third.