MORE than making up for his disappointment in the three-star, Sam Watson scored a classy pillar to post victory in the Eventing Ireland CCI2*.

Riding Belinda Keir’s Ardagh Highlight (Puissance), he impressed the ground jury of Seppo Laine (Finland) and Marie Henessey (Ireland) to score 43.6 and adding nothing further, remained three marks ahead of Swedish rider Ludwig Svennerstal with Stinger, as well as Ireland’s Sophie Richards with SRS Adventure.

In a thrilling climax, where less than a fence separated the top five, Watson remained cool throughout. “He’s one of the nicest horses I have sat on for a long time,” complimented the Carlow man. “He reminds me of Bushman, but also has the grit and the talent of his brother Lukeswell. He is a real event horse – so keen across the country, and almost relentless in his way of travelling. He needed this qualification, and we hope to run in the CIC3* at Tattersalls.”

Tony Hurley’s show jumping track was finely balanced to produce 11 clear rounds from the 21 who came forward. As the tension grew, places jostled dramatically, and putting pressure on those above, both Svennerstal and Richards remained fault free.

Polly Stockton lost her second placing when Lariats Son lowered two, while in third spot overnight, Oliver Townend hit one to drop to fifth. Promoted to second place, Svennerstal was very enthusiastic about the 10-year-old Stinger, who he cites as a possible European championship contender.

“He’s by the show jumping stallion Spender S out of a thoroughbred mare,” he remarked.

“He has show jumped internationally up to 1.35m level, and only began eventing in pre-novice classes last year.”

While the first two produced smart clear rounds, Sophie Richards’ performance with the Billy Daly-bred SRS Adventure (by Newmarket Venture) was copybook. Ireland’s former Le Lion d’Angers bronze medallist looks every inch a four-star prospect, and according to his Co Wexford-based rider, will upgrade to CIC3* at Kilguilkey later in the summer.

Among the other standout Irish performances was Brian Morrison who partnered the recent Lisgarvan winner Ballymolloy Rogan. The duo had held a top-10 placing on Saturday night, but showing a little tiredness on the final day, Gill Langford’s home-bred lowered two coloured poles to complete in 14th spot.

Saturday’s cross-country action was equally absorbing, and while the track caused fewer problems than in the three-star, it was not without its share of penalties. Those that were caught out included second placed British rider Louisa Lockwood (Downtown Billy). The pair lost their early advantage when refusing at the screen brushes (14), and later walked home after a second stop at the final water (17).

Although simpler than in the three-star, the complex came up after a long haul uphill, and on a forward distance, it needed positive riding. There were also surprise falls from Camilla Speirs (BT Cloud Nine), who chipped in at the Screen Brushes (13abc) at the far end of the track, and Padraig McCarthy (Fiveberry), who fell at the corner (15ab) four from home.

Izzy Taylor had a rare stop with Calibro here, while junior rider Christine O’Donnell parted company with Blessington Prince Royal at the log stack (5).