KILDARE pony rider Isabelle Comerford closed her season in the best possible way, when she posted her first international victory in the CIC1*P. Riding her European championship partner Colour Me Fancy, Comerford opened her competition with an 11-mark advantage, and stretching it throughout, completed comfortably ahead of Katie McKee with Fair Lad and Zara Burke Ott riding Aille Fountain Breeze.

Featuring in the calendar just two weeks after the national championships, it was possibly not surprising, although a little disappointing, to see only four runners going to post.

Placed third at Tattersalls, Comerford was on a mission to do better, and on the flat scored highly from both Ground Jury members. Carrying forward a score 43.0, she added eight penalties from the show jumping on Saturday afternoon, but was clear and fast in the country.

“She didn’t seem to mind the going at all, although it became very deep in the show jumping,” she commented. “In the country she was really good the whole way, and gave me a great ride.” Comerford still has a year remaining in the pony ranks with this 12-year-old by Grand Touch, who was initially campaigned by her older sister Emma.

The show jumping track was a tough one in the conditions, and while none of the four jumped clear all completed. Noah Brown withdrew Jimmy Thunderstruck before the cross country, but the remaining three completed trouble free.