CATHAL Daniels rode six horses at last week’s Kilguilkey international horse trials, all of whom jumped double clears, and one horse, Cappog Tomy, who recorded a double clear to finish fifth in the Premier Series Grand Prix at the Tatteralls Ireland Show on Sunday afternoon.

“I had to jump one long format horse at Kilguilkey on Sunday morning, then I sent the eventers home, while I headed up the road to Tattersalls,” revealed Daniels, who took time out from his hectic schedule to go racing at Galway on Wednesday, Plate Day.

“Jenny (Kuehnle), who was jumping there, brought Tomy with her, so it all worked out well.”

Daniels won two classes at Kilguilkey on Independent Article (Green Valley Transport CCI2*-S) and CDS Binki (DJI CCI1*-Intro), both of whom completed on their dressage score, while he finished second in the Colliers CCI4*-S on Rioghan Rua, who picked up 5.2 cross-country time penalties, and in the Green Source CCI2*-L on Shannondale Micah, who, on his first international start at this level, completed on his flat work mark.

“I was delighted with all my horses,” said Daniels.

“Rioghan Rua (by Jack Of Diamonds) and Independent Article (by Tyson) were both home-bred by Mags Kinsella and I’m delighted for her that Independent Article, who is out of a half-sister to Rioghan Rua, is living up to expectations. He did a really flashy test (27.9 penalties) and finished on that score. Unfortunately, Mags was jumping herself in Cavan and missed seeing him win.”

There were 32 starters in that class. Including Britain’s Daniel Alderson and Baby I’m A Star who led after dressage (28.1). Three combinations withdrew following the show jumping phase, where another three were automatically eliminated, and two combinations failed to complete the cross-country phase.

Robbie Kearns, another rider who had a good weekend, placed second here on Richard Ames’ six-year-old Grafenstolz mare Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (29.3), just ahead of Noel Dunne on Jenny Curley’s highly-regarded Kief Rhapsody of Belline (30.5).

Also on her dressage score, Caitie Slater finished fourth on Belline Imperial Diamond (31.7), with whom she has qualified for the Junior/Young Rider event horse class at Dublin.

Improved

Daniels doubled up in the DJI CCI1*-Intro on his own seven-year-old mare CDS Binki, who completed on her winning dressage score (28.3 panalties).

Here, Eventing Ireland’s youth ambassador, Kate Walsh, finished second on Beechtree Watchful (29.6) with whom she holds an engagement in the older Connemara performance hunter class at the upcoming Dublin Horse Show.

Meabh Bolger had to settle for third, when picking up 1.8 show jumping time penalties on her own Dutch Warmblood gelding Novastar (30.6), who won twice in three previous outings.

Only three of the 25 starters failed to complete: Britain’s Clementine Shipp withdrew Liscarrow Top Class after dressage, while two combinations were eliminated having had two refusals apiece in the show jumping ring.

“I think this mare would make an ideal Junior or Young Rider horse,” said Daniels of his home-bred grey, who made the first of four previous outings at Tyrella in May and has improved considerably since then.