CCI4*-S

THE formidable Ballindenisk feature fences proved no trouble to first time visitor James Avery who, riding One Of A Kind 11 for Hazel Livesey, headed a big field in the CCI4*-S. The Kiwi rider quickly got the hang of the testing terrain, and well placed in second spot overnight, he forged ahead to win by a clear four marks. The Jumbo-sired One Of a Kind 11 is a new ride for Avery, and one that he hopes is destined for greater things. “He’s a really cool horse and coming very well on the flat,” he reflected. “He’s also one that makes you smile when you jump him, and today, he also showed that he’s good in heavy ground.”

While this short format class show jumped on Friday evening, they did not head into the country until Sunday morning. As a result, the going had deteriorated significantly overnight, and while it was perfectly acceptable, it was certainly more testing than the previous day. “I was lucky to ride him first of my two horses,” added Avery. “It definitely felt more tiring than I expected.” The long format Boekelo is next on the cards for this British-bred 12-year-old, as it is for Izzy Taylor with her second-placed ride Fonbherna Lancer.

Winners of the equivalent class at Millstreet in August, Taylor and the Tangelo Van Du Zuuthoeve-sired gelding were chasing Avery throughout, but the deficit was too big to recoup. “He coped fantastically with the ground and would have gone further,” said an obviously delighted Taylor. “It’s exciting for his owners the Lancer Stud, who are quite new to the sport but already have a top one – clearly they have a very good eye”

Although none of the 32 runners returned home with the time, one of the fastest across the country was third-placed Esib Power. Teaming up with Sue Chadwick’s Samuel Thomas 11, Power had a great ride on the thoroughbred-sired gelding and was in touch with the leaders throughout. Making up ground in every phase, she added just 1.6 to her first phase score thus improving her placing considerably. “The rain came and we used it to our advantage!” she said. “The plan from here is to take in one more short format, and hopefully aim for Badminton in the spring.”

Slower in the country, British rider Alex Kennedy was next in line with the former Brian Morrison ride Global Milchem JJ, just two placings ahead of Ireland’s Leila Barker, who had a storming run with Ardeo Illusion.

While the going in the country had an influence, so did the track. Nearly half of the field clocked up penalties, and most notably the first phase leaders Roberto Scalisi and Topaz du Plain (27.3). Although the sporting Italian pairing had already picked up four penalties in the show jumping, it was sad to see them walk home following accumulative refusals. A further five failed to complete, while the well-placed Izzy Taylor and Newmarket Glider lost their chance of promotion when glancing off at the final avenue crossing (19abc).

The remaining Irish fortunes were mixed. Padraig McCarthy impressed on the flat with his new ride Fallujah, but with three fences on the floor in the show jumping it is still a work in progress. Slotting into ninth spot, Jonathan Steele and Bluestone Ice were fast and clear, as were 11th placed Steven Smith (Hi Happy Henry) and Felicity Ward with Regal Bounty (12th).