EVENT riders were out in force at the Belton International last weekend, where Sarah Ennis, Mark Kyle and Sam Watson spearheaded a strong and successful Irish challenge. Ennis’ seventh spot in the 100-strong CIC*** was undoubtedly the highlight of the foray, but adding to the celebrations, a further four Irish combinations featured in the top 20.

With only five marks separating the leading 10, winning honours fell to British rider Izzy Taylor and KBIS Starburst (43.0), from Sir Mark Todd (Leonidas) on 43.4 and Piggy French with Quarrycrest Echo (43.7).

Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound had opened the class with a competitive test of 47.0, before two storming jumping rounds and the addition of just 0.4 time penalties promoted her to seventh.

“I’m obviously delighted with him,” she said afterwards. “It was a technical track with some fairly daring and committed distances, which caught out quite a lot of people. The ground was perfect, and at the moment I’m undecided whether to give him another run before Badminton. I’m tempted to leave him, but he may have a spin at Ballindenisk.”

Olympians Clare Abbott and Euro Prince were marginally preferred to Ennis on the flat, but a slightly slower round in the country left them in tenth place (48.0), just above fellow Rio travellers Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift (48.2). Although a little off the pace after dressage, the latter delivered two immaculate jumping rounds, and notably were one of only four combinations to complete on their opening score.

Padraig McCarthy will also have been be pleased with Bernadette Utopia, who, having added 6.4 time penalties to an attractive test of 46.4, completed in 17th spot. Compatriots Aoife Clark (Fernhill Adventure) and Austin O’Connor (Kilpatrick Knight) were also well in contention heading out into the country, but lost their advantages when clocking up 20 penalties apiece.

Mark Kyle had already enjoyed a good start to the season when winning at Great Witchingham the previous weekend, and his form carried through when his Rio partner Jemilla landed the runner-up spot in a hot sector of advanced. The mare recorded the second fastest round of the day, only beaten by dressage leaders Paul Sims and Glengarnock.

Although Sam Watson sold his top horse Horseware Lukeswell last season, he looks to have two able replacements in Imperial Sky and Ardagh Highlight. The former racked up a rewarding second place in the CIC**, and Ardagh Highlight, while hampered by a show jumping penalty, filled ninth.

In the second division of the CIC** green coats filled three of the top 10 places, with Austin O’Connor completing on his opening score to take fourth with Colorado Blue, from Aiden Keogh (Pride of Tredstep) ninth, and Sarah Ennis (Shanbo Queen B) 10th.

In spite of these good runs and others, the Irish contingent had a subdued drive home when it was learned that Camilla Speirs’ good advanced horse BT Border Bandit had sadly suffered a fatal injury when competing in the advanced cross-country. The son of Warcraft had been produced and competed by his rider since a three-year-old and will be a big loss to connections.