LIVING up to her star billing, British Olympic gold medallist Laura Collett was the easy winner of the feature CCI3*-L at Lisgarvan on the weekend.

Posting an incredible 22 mark margin over their nearest rivals, Collett and the French bred Fetiche des Rouges opened strongly on a dressage score of 26.3, before producing the sole double clear round. This was a smart performance for Collett and the comparatively inexperienced eight-year-old, and while Ireland cannot claim the winner this time around, there was a direct connection through his regular rider and Irish international Aoife Clark.

The duo were the runners-up in the short format equivalent at Millstreet last year, but having badly broken her arm back in June, Clark is unfortunately still on the sidelines. “I sourced him in France two years ago for the Ace of Spades syndicate,” said Clark. “He was always very leggy and has been a year behind, so I wanted to keep up the mileage and I’m very lucky to have Laura deputising for me.”

Super fun

It was a lucky turn of events for Collett too, as she described the son of L’Arc de Triomphe as a “super fun ride, and one that has been beautifully produced.”

Collett was also full of praise for the event adding: “You really wouldn’t know it was their first international.

“Aoife had suggested we looked at coming, then having chatted to Sam (Watson) and Esib (Power) they only had nice things to say,” she said.

“There was a great main arena atmosphere, the courses were educational and the ground is the best I’ve ridden on all year. It’s certainly one to put in the calendar for next year.”

The remaining four runners were all a little off the pace from the get go, and while they all galloped home clear in the country, a smattering of time penalties distanced them further. The main influence however came on Sunday morning, where clear rounds over a tough but fair show jumping track proved hard to achieve. Only Collett left the coloured poles intact, which left the judges to add the sums as well as the final placings.

Change of pace

As befits her jockey status, Toni Quail was the only other runner to enter the show jumping on her dressage score, and although she did not enjoy the best round with Wellan Summertime, she maintained her second ranking on her final mark of 48.4. “This is our hobby, and as it was our first run at three-star long I’m delighted,” said the former junior and young rider squad member.

“I ride out for Sam Curling, so when the point-to-points have finished in the summer, it gives me the time to event.

“I have to adjust myself to the different disciplines, but I do find that the racing helps me judge the pace when riding across the country.”

A trip to the Ballindenisk long format is pencilled in for later this month, but for third placed British rider Kirsty Chabert, it is one Irish event she will be forced to miss.

“Unfortunately, I have a wedding,” she said. “I live in Southampton, so its almost as easy for me to travel to Ireland as it is to anywhere else.”

As usual, Chabert teamed up with one of her father’s many ‘Opposition’ homebreds, and this time it was Heraldik’s Girl Opposition, a 10-year-old mare she shares with her brother Ben. The pair had held third place on the flat, and despite lowering three poles on the final day, retained their position.

“She’s our fun horse, and we came to give her the mileage at the level,” said Chabert. “I will be back here. I couldn’t be more impressed and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I have done.”