EI100 class \ Sally Parkyn

RICHARD Ames’ powerful string of horses at Belline rarely go home without at least one win, and this one in the EI100 came courtesy of Robbie Kearns and the five-year-old Belline Thistle Bethelasttime. The pair led the class of 32 from the front, and completing on a clean sheet, headed Darragh Byrne with Cushnahans Dancer. Ames’ team also fielded the third-placed Belline Ames To Please (Robbie Kearns), as well as Lancelot of Belline under Joseph Murphy in fourth.

Exciting mare

Speaking of the winning daughter of Grafenstoltz, Kearns remarked, “Richard bought her from the breeder (Johnston Brodie) as a youngster. She’s taken time but is very, very talented and an exciting mare for the future.”

With all bar one of the top 17 completing on their dressage scores, both the show jumping and the cross-country proved straightforward for these young horses, and while there were mishaps, all came home.