HAVING been beset by weather related cancellations, eventing in the Leinster region finally got underway last weekend. Indeed, there was no more fitting venue than Lisgarvan House which, on the cusp of an exciting year, is due to stage its first international fixture later in the summer.

As reported in this paper last weekend, the sporting Corrigan family have announced the dates for this new showcase, which will be a very welcome addition to both the calendar and the region.

Fired with enthusiasm, senior course designers Paul and Allan Brady, together with Clive Corrigan have great plans for the August tracks, much of which will run on fresh ground. Paul Brady was especially upbeat to comment: “The fact that they can open up the whole farm gives us endless opportunities, and also allowed us to protect the ground last weekend.”

Despite the seemingly endless amount of rain which fell last month, Sunday’s tracks walked well and enjoyed an excellent cover of grass. A new start and warm up area allowed the courses to run through as yet unused fields and, offering a tempting taster of exciting things to come, there were a variety of well-presented new fences and technical complexes.

Easy win

On to the competition proper, there were new names and old favourites among the principal winners, and one that needs no introduction is Shannondale Icaruswho, now running under the new joint ownership of the Brennanstown Eventing syndicate together with long-time patron Jinnie Webb, landed an easy win in the EI115 (O) under Louise Bloomer.

A most consistent performer at the level, the 11-year-old son of Shannondale Sarco held a healthy lead on the flat before increasing the advantage when performing one of just two show jumping clears. The addition of time penalties in the country made little difference to the result as the pair eventually recorded a winning margin of eight marks.

The victory marked the start of an excellent Easter Day for Webb, who was not only present to see his full-brother Shannondale Levi fill the runner up spot in the later EI 100, but also walked home with the top prize in the Easter Raffle.

“It was a brilliant start to the season in more ways than one and great to be here in person!” she commented. “Louise recently attended a Caroline Moore clinic (organised by Janet Murray) which was fantastic and I gather really upped everyone’s ideas about jumping across country. We will probably move our plans forward a bit now, and hope to do the four-star international at Ballindenisk later this month, and then if all goes well, put our names down for a few trips to Europe.”

Chasing all the way, but hampered by eight jumping faults, John Tilley piloted the veteran five-star campaigner Bango into second spot. It was a pleasure to see this former Tim Price-ridden star return to Ireland in such sparkling form, and less than 15 miles away from the county of his birthplace in Ballindaggin, Co Wexford.

Competitive

While the remaining EI115 class handed an almost unopposed win to the sole finisher Gavin Smiddy and DSH Showtime,EI 110 were very competitive affairs.

Honours in the open division fell to the versatile thoroughbred producer/pin hooker Edie Murray-Hayden who, riding her own Sandyhill Ceol, delivered the only double clear within the time. In third spot on the flat, the Co Kildare pair drew further ahead after every phase, eventually completing 10 marks in front of Storm O’Connor aboard her new ride Barnaboy Peaches N Cream.

The winner, who is out of the thoroughbred mare Dunluce Girl by the Connemara sire Galloon Cecil, was sourced as a six-year-old and is now well into the advanced ranks. Despite being inundated with tempting offers to sell the dun, Murray-Hayden has resisted them all.

“He’s the reason I work so hard,” she said. “Plus the fact that my mother would never forgive me! Today was an ideal opener for us both. There was a great spring off the grass, plenty to jump and the skinny after the water was a proper question.

“Because of my thoroughbred commitments, I have limited time to event, but it would be nice to travel abroad again later in the season.”