EVENTING Ireland’s youth ambassador, Molly O’Connor, recorded one of two double clears inside the time to win the LHR Group CCIP2-S at Ballindenisk last Sunday on her father Paul’s Coolnaleen Rebel (31.3). The other was posted by the second-placed Carla Williamson on Galco (31.8).

To see how competitors would cope with long format conditions, the organisers agreed to a request from the high-performance management team to change the order of running with these young riders going cross-country on Saturday and, following a horse inspection, show jumping on Sunday.

Both girls had two rides in this all-Irish 17-runner class, O’Connor withdrawing Fernhill Mix And Match (30.5) after the dressage phase where Williamson was in the lead with Ardeo Fireman (29.3). Disappointingly for the Co Meath rider, the 16-year-old Tinka’s Boy gelding picked up his first cross-country jumping penalties since May last year and dropped down the order to sixth.

Two other combinations withdrew before Saturday’s cross-country phase, where there was one elimination. Disappointingly, the Maria Fouhy-ridden Portlairge was not accepted at the second horse inspection and Amelia Scott parted company from Gelato at the third fence in the final show jumping phase.

Personality

“I was delighted to win,” said 15-year-old O’Connor whose home is not too far from Tyrella. “‘Todd’ has a great personality and is brilliant going cross-country as he loves galloping and doing his own thing. I thought the track was very well laid out and ideal for the first international of the season. The two ponies will do the two-star-short at Millstreet and will probably have a run before then.

“I had great support over the weekend, not just from the high-performance coaches but also from my parents, Paul and Tina, my dressage coach Terry Boon, who gave me a lesson on Friday and helped me warm-up, and from Joseph Murphy who was there the whole time. At home, Joseph coaches me in cross-country and also advises me in fitness work, etc.”

Coolnaleen Rebel, who was first produced by Godfrey Gibbons, was traditionally-bred in Co Wicklow by Noeleen Redmond. The 13-year-old grey/roan gelding is by the Irish Draught stallion Rebel Mountain out of the non-winning point-to-pointer Crested Ten Lady who was by Naheez out of a Love Tale mare.