RIDERS taking part in the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing series at The Meadows Equestrian Centre have shown great resolve to compete in some harsh weather conditions over the past three weeks. Their commitment has been matched by that of the many volunteers needed to keep the action flowing smoothly throughout the three phases.

Among those who braved the elements last Saturday was Ella Boyle who rode three of the seven entries in the Intermediate class, winning on the Westphalian mare Candy 737 (70.5). She was fifth with WKD Cooley (62.5) and placed last with Grafenstolz Distinction (56.4), both of whom were “feeling spring in the air” according to the rider whose mother, Amanda, owns the trio.

“I was delighted with Candy as she is on her way back from injury,” said Boyle of the Captain Fire 12-year-old who was withdrawn after cross-country in the CCIU253*-L at Tattersalls last season. “I plan to get them all out to the early Northern events at Tyrella and then aim them at some internationals across the water. I’ll probably go back to Rockingham (where she completed on her three rides last May) and maybe some further afield. I hope all will step up a level this year with a couple now at four-star which is hugely exciting.”

Riding Clerkson, Hannah Blakely finished second on 68% in the Intermediate which was judged by Angeline Nicholson as was the 18-runner Novice class. This was won by Denis Currie on his 15-year-old Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan gelding Arodstown Aramis (73%) with Alex Cleland finishing second on Rafa Smash (66.8).

Coleraine’s Rosie Alcorn was third here on DHI No Fear (65.3) whose usual rider Izzy Riley, is studying at the University of Cambridge. Alcorn however fared better in the Pre-Novice division which she won on her own Centre Fold Belle (73%).

Janet Hall judged this 28-strong class where she had Lois Thompson lying second with Jackie Harris’s Rubane Oldtown Cruise (70.3). Third place, on a score of 69, was divided between southern raider Nicola Ennis (Killossery Kitten), Charlotte Dixon (Trump) and Hannah Blakely (Classy Cruise).

“I probably have far too many horses but just hope some stay sound this year as I only got to seven events last season,” commented Alcorn who moved home in November following seven years training and then working as a veterinary surgeon in England. She is currently based at Carolyn Perkins’s Equine Dental Clinic in Hillsborough.

“I was given Bella (Centre Fold Belle) as a 21st birthday present. She is a half-sister to Fiorella (by Renkum Valentino), on whom I won the CCI2* at Camphire in 2013, and has evented at Novice level in England. I would hope to do a CCI2*-L on her at some point this season. She was bred by John Reid and is by his eventing stallion Centrestage.

“I have an 11-year-old chesnut gelding (Django III, by Irko) owned by Devenish Nutrition who is entered for the open workers at Balmoral and, before that, will be heading to the Northern Ireland Festival in Cavan for the 1.10m workers and the HOYS qualifier. Among the young horses I have is a four-year-old for Sandra Hamilton while I also hope to compete Fiorella’s five-year-old son by Jaguar Mail.

“It’s very much a team effort with my parents holding the fort with all the breeding and youngstock at home while Martin Mellet and Ray Tosh at Jazz Horses in Coleraine keep the ones in work fit and fed during the week!”

Lucinda Webb-Graham judged both halves of the Intro class and her winner of Section A was series regular, Nicky Nesbitt, and her Irish Draught mare Carrickview Saratoga (74.8), a nine-year-old grey by Crosstown Dancer. Second yet again was Margaret Creighton with Ladida (72.5).

Final battle

Husband and wife and fellow Castle Leslie Riding Club members Shane and Sharon McKeever were once more in opposition in Section B where Shane took the honours on his 15-year-old Master Imp gelding KHS Impact (73.8) while Sharon had to settle for fourth with Cosmic Rolo (69.3).

Between the couple, Nicola Martin (Armpit) and Holly McClenaghan (Bea) finished joint-second on 71.8.

Going into today’s final round of the league, Nikki Cullen tops the leaderboard with Danske Coevers Lass on 66 points ahead of Denis Currie and Arodstown Aramis (60.5) and Nicola Martin with Butter (58).

Grace Kehoe and Nicky Nesbitt are in joint-fourth on 57 points apiece with Killeshin Fifty Shades Of Grey and Carrickview Saratoga respectively while Amy Steele rounds off the top six with Big Adventure (53).

The prizes will be presented next Saturday when it was hoped that the competition would be run as a mini one-day event.

However, following all the rain of recent weeks, it will not be possible to use the grass arenas so the Flexi Eventing format will be followed.