TWO weeks ahead of the start of the season up north, the readiness of the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland was tested last Saturday at Tyrella House by seven hours of continuous cross-country action during the popular two-phase event.

Competition began in the show jumping field where, on call-up, donkey exhibitors Amanda and Tristan Wallace kept the horses and ponies flowing into the rings where they were judged by David Greene and Sharon Cullen. With just over 300 entries, there could be no delays either there or when riders moved on to the second phase.