WHILE Davy Russell and his wife Edelle were overseeing their children compete with success at the national pony show jumping championships in Mullingar, a horse they bred, Not At Present was crowned the Tattersalls RoR Ridden Showing Supreme Champion during the evening performance at the Aintree International Equestrian Centre on Saturday.

The 10-year-old Presenting gelding, for whom Highflyer Bloodstock gave €80,000 as a three-year-old, spent his entire racing career in the care of Ben Pauling who sent him out to win four hurdle races in the colours of Rachel and John Brodie.

He pulled up on his final start in May last year and has since been produced by his current rider Molly Sherring who started retraining him in October.

Not At Present has really taken to his new career, qualifying in showing for Hickstead and the London International while he also competes in dressage.

He is out of the point-to-point-winning Bach mare Anna Magdalena who this year foaled a Santiago colt who Russell says is a twin for the Aintree winner. “He might go to the sales this year or I might hold on to him until he’s three,” said the breeder.

Retrained many

Louise Duffy, who wears a number of hats including that of chairperson of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs, has successfully retrained many racehorses. Quite a few of these have come out of the Willie Mullins yard such as the very successful Al Boum Photo and Arvika Ligeonniere who were both in action across the water last week.

Louise told us a bit about her trip to Aintree. “Mum (Mary) and I, Pepper the dog, plus Al Boum Photo and Arvika Ligeonniere travelled from Dublin to Holyhead on Tuesday morning after meeting Claire Farrell and Ray Cody with Renneti (another Closutton graduate) at the port.

“The three horses were competing in dressage classes at Preliminary, Novice and Elementary level from Wednesday to Friday. Arvika was third in his class on Thursday and Renneti was third in his Elementary class on Friday. Al Boum Photo also competed in the challenge qualifier, jumping a very enthusiastic clear.

“Claire, Ray and Renneti went home on Friday evening while Arvika and Al Boum competed in the in-hand classes on Saturday morning with Al Boum Photo placing third in his class while Arvika went one place better in his.

“The three horses were also invited to participate in Always a Star parades on the Thursday and Saturday evenings.

“On Sunday morning, a very tired but happy Mum, Pepper, Arvika, Al Boum and I headed for home, with Arvika and Al Boum delighted to get a few hours in their paddocks on Sunday evening.

“The RoR and Aintree teams were incredibly welcoming and it was a privilege to ride in such an iconic venue. The Grand National tour was super to get to see “behind the scenes” at Aintree. Treo Eile have also been very supportive in this trip which has been super in helping us avail of the opportunity.”