NOT too many event horses pick up more than one CCI3* victory in their careers, so it was very special to witness Jim Newsam’s popular Magennis not only claim his second, but at the same venue he landed his first title eight years ago.

A true course and distance specialist, the son of Limmerick made little of his 16 years, to produce the only double clear round and lead the field of five by a massive margin.

“He means the world to us, and I’ve lost count of the number of times he’s been around here,” said Newsam. “He’s been a servant, a pet and such a big part of the family for 13 years. He is my only horse at the level and has taken me to the Europeans at Malmo, as well as the four-stars at Badminton, and Luhmuhlen.”

Posting a competitive dressage mark of 33.6 had left the winning pair in third spot overnight, and while they could do no more that deliver a foot-perfect performance, their passage the to the top was eased by the misfortunes of the dressage top two.

Turning the overnight leaderboard on its head, the British leaders David Doel and Eisfee lost their early advantage when misreading the tricky Normandy Bank complex (18abc) six from home. Jumping up, but stopping at the log on the bank, the pair then re-routed to the lengthy black flag option before retiring two fences further on. “She had given me a cracking ride until then, but I was a little bit forward to it, and she didn’t have time to read it,” admitted Doel afterwards. “We had only come for the qualification, so I decided to jump the next combination and pull up.”

Setting out just before Doel in second spot, compatriot Simon Grieve’s challenge also unravelled when Drumbilla Metro picked up an early 20 penalties at the double of corners (9b). They continued to negotiate the bank somewhat awkwardly, before incurring a second glance off at the final element at following avenue crossing (19c).

Restoring some pride for the British contingent, the remaining two riders Emily Parker (Cryptonite) and Emma Hyslop-Webb (Waldo) both delivered good clear rounds, albeit with added penalties for time.

With Newsam and Magennis now emphatically heading the leaderboard on Saturday night, the field was further depleted when Hislop-Webb’s Waldo was unfortunately sore on Sunday morning. He had lost a shoe the previous day, and was not accepted at the trot up. This just left three to show jump over Tony Hurley’s cleverly built track, but only Newsam left the poles intact. Extending their lead to nearly 24 points, the winning duo completed ahead of Parker, and finally Grieve.

Plans are fluid as to next season, but Newsam added: “We’ve had him since he was three and always looked after him. We’ll see how he comes out of this, and if he feels fresh next year we would consider Badminton again. I also owe a big thank you to part owner Carol Hawthorne, and also to Paddy Hughes who has been a huge help to us from the start.”

FANTASTIC ATMOSPHERE

In second spot, pathfinder Emily Parker was delighted with her first visit to the venue.” We’ve been here since Monday because of the ferries,” she explained. “Everyone has been fantastic. They can’t do enough to help – and this gives a very different atmosphere to other events.” Her ride, the Irish-bred Cryptonite, by Creevagh Ferro out of a Zero Watt-sired dam, was bred by Anthony Hughes, and originally bought by his owner Cameron Crawford to compete at the lower levels. Since taking over the ride, he has continued to surprise Parker, who added: “He has such a big heart. I was not sure how he would feel around a big galloping track but I do now!”

Completing an Irish-bred top three, Simon Grieve’s Drumbilla Metro filled a distant third. “It was annoying not to go clear, but we didn’t need the qualification and have learnt a lot,” he said. Sourced from Vere Phillips, the son of Metropole had competed in Le Lion d’Angers back in 2014, and although he pulled up at Burghley earlier this month, had completed Badminton in the spring.