DESPITE an exodus of senior riders on international duties abroad, Ballindenisk staged another well-supported fixture last weekend.

Hosting a strong entry of just short of the opted 200 limit and running like a well-oiled machine, the Fell family were delighted to see so many attending. The decision to limit the entries worked well for the Ballindenisk team, as Peter Fell explained: “We have so much going on at this time of year, so we have found that it’s better to run a tidy event well, than be stretching ourselves with a big one.

“The day went well, we were finished at 5.30pm and it was great for everyone involved to be able to go home at a reasonable time.”

The only exception to the support, was the absence of runners in the EI120 and, to a lesser extent, the EI115. As one of only a handful of advanced classes held on the national circuit, it was disappointing to see just two head to post in the former, one of which withdrew after the opening phase.

“It is always difficult to know who is going where and when,” added Fell. “But, if the next year’s dates clash with Aachen (and Aston Le Walls), the odds are that we probably won’t run the advanced. That said, it is very reasonable and not difficult for us to do so – we have the fences and we have the room.”

EI120

Having opted to withdraw before running across country, opening leaders Alannah Kelly and Cooley Bounce handed an easy victory to their sole opponents, Sarah Dowley and Bonmahon Liberation in the EI120. That said, the winning pair could do no more than deliver a steady and confident double clear round.

Produced by his rider throughout, and now very consistent at 1.15m level, the 11-year-old Bonmahon Liberation is the son of the thoroughbred Ansiei and was bred by Francis Fitzgerald, out of Bonmahon Blondie, by Temple Clover.

Sarah Dowley and Bonmahon Liberation (ISH, winners of the El120 at Ballindenisk 2 \ Justin Black Horse Sport Images

EI115 (O)/ EI115(R)

Having been knocking at the door all season, Patrick Byrne picked up a rewarding Ballindenisk EI115 double, with his two main players, Boleys Maximum and Belline Newmarket Delight.

First up, was Boley Maximum who, having been mid-division on the flat, compensated by producing two, foot-perfect jumping performances in the second fastest time of the class. By achieving this, the pair ricocheted to the top of the leaderboard, bettering the even speedier Rebecca Scott (Athea Clover Dew) and the similarly clear but slower Amelia McCarthy (Finsceal Endeavour) in third.

Now an 11-year-old, the KEC Maximum Joe-sired winner has been with his Co Wexford-based owner Byrne since a youngster and was bred locally by Noel Egan out of the mare Lady Boley (Diamond Rock). “He really knows his job now and is a point and steer horse - very easy and genuine,” remarked Byrne.

“This was his first run since Millstreet and the track was ideal. Plenty of combinations and super ground.” Byrne went on to say that the gelding has his five-star qualification and, if not sold, may run at the Lisgarvan international next month, and possibly the five-star Pau showcase in the late autumn.

The lowering of a coloured pole in the show jumping may have denied Rebecca Scott and Athea Clover Dew their victory, but the Galway-based rider will nevertheless have been pleased with her performance. As the only runners to come home within the time allowed, the pair have recovered well from a nasty spill atKilguilkey back in May, having been second at Grove the previous weekend.

All nine runners were clear in the country, but with the time allowed proving an influential factor, the remaining order jostled accordingly.

It was a similar story in the restricted sector, where once again Patrick Byrne landed the spoils. This time riding for Richard and Tanya Ames, who were out in Aachen supporting their Olympic reserve horse Calmaro, Byrne rose from an opening second placing with Belline Newmarket Delight (by Newmarket Venture) and, having stormed around the country, recorded the sole double clear round from the field of six.

“He’s really matured this year and loves it,” said Byrne of the Ciaran Collins-bred seven-year-old. “We have been a little late starting this season, but he has done plenty of show jumping (68 SJI points) and is super-consistent. In the short term, I hope to go to Lisgarvan three-star, but the big target for the year will be Le Lion D’Angers, for which he is already qualified. I also have to thank Richard and Tanya for their support, they are great owners.”

Byrne’s win denied Neilus Donoghue a hat trick with the seven-year-old Penwhistle, but adding just 4.8 time penalties to an otherwise clear performance, the Co Waterford rider will have been pleased with the mare’s debut at the level. Traditionally-bred by Edward Ryan, she is by Island Commander (dam by KEC Blue Diamond). Louise Bloomer filled third with Atlantic Rockstar, from the clean jumping but slower dressage leaders, Chloe Fagan and Derravarra Rise and Shine.