THE widest margin success at the Eventing Ireland Western Region/Sealac eventing starter series final in Milchem Equestrian on Easter Monday came in the Padraig Howley-sponsored Sligo Candy Boy four-year-old class where it was recorded by Becky Scott on her own RDM Ring Of Mercury.

This Calvaro Van de Rechi bay, who was bred in Co Longford by Michael Kelly, completed on a total of 153.4 marks. Conor Leahy placed second on the TIHA-award winner, Aille Cooper (149.9), a chesnut Kings Master gelding who was bred in Co Kilkenny by John Murphy out of the unraced Blueprint mare Scally Print.

RDM Ring Of Mercury, who was purchased last October in Cavan, jumped clear in all five qualifiers, winning on three occasions. He will now enjoy (if the weather permits) a well-earned break before embarking on the next stage of his career.

From Oban in Scotland, Scott is based at the Watervalley Stud with partner, and fellow Scot, Duncan McFadyen and they were delighted with this win, their other placings in the finals, the prizes on offer and the series in general.

Only one of the 13 starters in that four-year-old final failed to complete but, disappointingly, six failed to do so in the Milchem Equestrian pony class which sponsor, and Western Region chairman, Ralph Conroy won with his Oisin McDonagh-ridden Milchem My Lady (150.6). Aoife McCabe finished second on the Connemara mare Glencroft Blarney Stone (149.2), a dun by Rocklawn Elvis.

There is no recorded pedigree for Milchem My Lady who has 22 Show Jumping Ireland points to her credit. These were all earned under McDonagh who also partnered the six-year-old bay in three EI90 (P) classes last season placing third at Hillcrest in mid-June, second at Crecora in late July and then winning at Punchestown in early August.

Hannah Gordon, one of the series organisers, posted what was far and away the highest dressage score of the day in this 14-runner class but her efforts in achieving 87.4 marks on Leothan Candy came to nought as the combination was later eliminated.