WHILE the British anthem was played for the second time on Sunday morning at Lisgarvan, the winning CCI2*-L rider Rebecca Scott was another with strong Irish links.

Based in Co Galway with Sean Lydon at the Watervalley Stud, Scott moved over from her native Scotland two years ago accompanied by her mare Athea Clover Dew. Now a familiar face on the home circuit, this win marked Scott’s biggest international success to date, and following a tense and tight show jumping phase, was well earned.

Having opened in fourth placed, Scott and her nine-year-old mare enjoyed the best spin across the country to move up to third overnight. Once again however, the show jumping proved significantly influential, and with only five marks separating the top six, it was all to play for.

Eventually only three of the nine starters came home clear, and to the surprise of many, the leaders Patrick Whelan (HVL Ravensdale) and Clodie Cohen (Atlantic Rockstar) were not among them. Both added just four penalties to their scores, enabling Scott to move into the pole position, while also benefitting from a clear round, Ellen Douglas and Downshire Rock filled third.

“I really enjoyed the cross-country,” said Scott, who shares running a busy mixed yard with her partner Duncan McFayden. “I didn’t realise it until I rode it, but the early part was really quite downhill and took a bit of riding.”

Scott has owned the John Joe Tierney-bred daughter of Sibon W for four years, and having completed several runs at this level, now aims to move up to the three-star at Ballindenisk later this month.

Settling for second spot, Whelan and Sharon Power’s HVL Ravensdale have no definite plans, although Power, who bought the Orestus-sired mare from Paul Donovan as a three-year-old, admits to enjoying being an owner. “She grew too big for me, which is why I asked Paddy to ride her,” she explained. “To watch her compete is nice for me and for Paddy, so whatever happens, happens.”

Personal best

Having made the long journey from Belfast, Ellen Douglas was another to score a personal best when Downshire Rock moved into third. Sourced from Emily Corbett three years ago, the nine-year-old mare by Ringfort Cruise looked smooth in all three phases, and is another aiming to upgrade before the season’s end.

Although the cross-country proved quite straightforward, both Nicole Pearson and Michael McNally collected isolated penalties at the cottage to corner complex (7) and at the MIM rail at 13.

The biggest hard luck story however befell Matthew Kelly, who having jumped the first few fences in the show jumping was forced to retire with a broken rein.