THE first of two fixtures took place at the Ponsonby family’s estate at Grove in Fethard, Co Tipperary, last Sunday. As one of the oldest events on the calendar, and indeed one of the few still hosted in a parkland setting, it was well supported although unfortunately not to its usual levels.

Those who did travel however, were greeted by largely new tracks, all of which ran over ground that had benefited from extensive aggravating. Course designers Paul and Allen Brady had mapped a different route to those used last autumn and, with the help of John Sheehan and John Smyth, had revamped both water complexes, introduced several new fences and in the feature classes, had the maximum jumping efforts. Grove undoubtedly counts among the best venues in the country, and deserves every bit of encouragement it can garner.

The day ran well, and although the action was held for a while due to a dramatic thunderstorm, the classes were all done and dusted by 5.30pm.

The most disappointing shortage of entries was probably seen in the EI 115 (O) which handed an easy pipe-opening win to the Aachen-bound combination of Sarah Ennis and Action Lady M. The Co Meath duo was one of just three combinations who went to post and, after adding just a handful of time penalties to her opening score, led second-placed Ben Connors (OLS Queen Bee) by a distance.

“It wasn’t part of the original plan to run so close to Aachen,” explained Niki Potterton. “But last Sunday Sarah was laid low with food poisoning and, having set off for Ballindenisk, we got as far as Naas and had to call it a day. The mare hadn’t been out since Millstreet and needed a run.”

The Plot Blue-sired nine-year-old certainly looked full of running, and owners Andrew Cox and Suzanne Macken can hopefully look forward to a good result in Germany this weekend.

Win for McNally

The restricted sector (sponsored by Waterford Stanley Cookers) was better supported and, with nine starters, the top spot fell to Summerhill rider Michael McNally aboard Tom Mullen’s nine-year-old Killard Gem. Back to the day job having organised his own highly acclaimed event fixture at Clonmahon two weeks earlier, the competitive McNally was promoted from an opening third place. Despite tipping a show jump, the son of VDL Arkansas enjoyed a storming round across the country and, by recording the fastest time of the class, forged ahead of second-placed John Tilley (Cooley and Co) as well as Alyssa O’Neill aboard the consistent Danos Lola.

“He’s come quite late to the sport,” explained McNally of the winner. “But I’m hoping he will make his way to four-star level before the end of the season.” Bred by Rachel Sterling, the winner is certainly bred for the sport, being a half-brother to international CCI4*L performer Cooley Timepiece, as well as to two American-based three-star horses. Overall, the new cross-country track rode well and, although no one achieved the time allowed, only one faulted in the country.