IT has been a good week for Irish event riders across the globe, and especially for Aoife Clark, Ian Cassells and Fred Scala, who enjoyed a highly successful trip to Saumur last weekend. Accompanied by team coach Dag Albert, the trio contested a very competitive CCI4*-L to fill four of the top 20 placings.

All delivered creditable performances and most notably Aoife Clark who, having missed a good proportion of last season due to injury, bounced back to form to land both fourth and ninth positions. Teaming up with the Freelance Syndicate-owned mare Sportsfield Freelance, and in the best of company, Clark retained her fourth placing throughout, and in ninth, was also double clear with her recent Kronenburg CCI3*-L winner Calahari. “I have been aiming for this event since last year – it gave me something to focus on,” she remarked.

“Saumur has always had the reputation of being a strong track, so I thought that it would be better to do a testing one rather than just ticking the boxes.” Another draw will have been the fact that the course designer at Saumur was Pierre Le Goupil, who has been charged with the equivalent role at Paris this summer. As a result, the class had added significance and, with Olympic places very much up for grabs, it was a highly competitive affair.

As expected, French riders dominated the 43-strong class, with the winning honours falling to first phase leaders Sebastien Cavaillon with Elipso de la Vigne. Compatriots Astier Nicolas (Alertamalib’Or) and Jean Lou Bigot (Utrillo de Halage) clustered well in second and third, leaving Kiwi ace Tim Price and Jarillo behind Clark in fifth.

“The mare (Sportsfield Freelance) gave me the most wonderful ride,” enthused Clark. “She has incredible balance and is neat and careful.”

With both Millridge Atlantis and Shanbo Superflex on the start list, Ian Cassells was another busy rider, and it was the former who came out on top in 13th place. Joan and Gerry Leahy’s grey was slick and fast in the country, but two rails on the floor on the final day proved costly.

Show jumping also proved expensive for Fred Scala, who posting one of the fastest cross-country times, had the misfortune of a fence blowing down half way through their round. Concentration was lost momentarily and soon regained, but with the addition of an added eight penalties the pair finally completed in 16th place.