With a bumper 30 starters, the EI 100 was a hard-won affair and decided mainly in the dressage arena. The track was was largely straightforward, and while the show jumping caused problems, just three riders encountered difficulties in the country,

Leading from the front, and adding nothing further to a smart score of 28.5, the top spot went to Patrick Whelan aboard Paul Donovan’s Dermish Chill. Emerging as the best of a promising bunch of six-year-olds that filled the top four placings, the Chillout-sired (dam by Ricardo Z) gelding is a new ride for Whelan this season, and one that he rates highly.

“Paul told me he was a nice horse and he certainly is,” he remarked. “He’s a really enjoyable ride and strong in all three phases. We will take things slowly with him, and while it’s still a long way ahead, Le Lion D’Angers could be the aim.”

Former young rider squad member Whelan now has two horses for Donovan at his Murrintown base in Co Wexford, bringing him to a total of 12 to event this year.

Another busy rider is Gillian Beale King who, with six horses running at Frankfort, held second spot with Richard Ames’ six-year-old Belline Rock Trend. This son of Future Trend chased the winning pair throughout. Slightly slower, to fill third, was Ciara Power aboard Rossmount Aldi Hero (Celtic Hero Z).

Rarely does Amanda Goldsbury drive home from an event with at least one win under her belt, and this week her red ribbon was gained in the EI 90. Teaming up with the diminutive five-year-old Hale Athena by Mr Hale Bob (dam by Coevers Diamond Boy) Goldsbury picked up her advantage on the flat and, never headed she beat Charlotte Long with her eventing debutante VVS Premium Edition, as well as Mary Hickey aboard the skewbald Seabanks Pappen Boy.