CARLOW’s Sam Watson partnered the in-form Imperial Sky to victory in the CCI4*-L at Ballindenisk last weekend as the Fell family hosted the first of the country’s international horse trials this year.

Second (32.2) after the dressage phase judged by the ground jury of Germany’s Gerd Kuest (C) and Ireland’s John Lyttle (H) and Joanne Jarden (B), Watson picked up 0.4 of a penalty when a second over the time of 10.17 minutes on Saturday’s cross-country phase. However, he sealed victory with a clear round on Sunday as, Belgium’s Geoffroy de Jamblinne, who had led from the start on 32, had two fences down with Consequent Pia Z.

“Everything has gone to plan so far this year with Imperial Sky,” reported the rider who was delighted with this international win on home soil in front of most of his immediate family. “For so long he has played second fiddle to Bushman, Lukeswell and Ardagh Highlight so it’s great to see him now making a name for himself. He has really improved this year and found a new gear which helped him win. He will do the CCI4*-S at Tattersalls and then head to Luhmühlen for the five-star.

“The Fells have done a fabulous job with the ground here. The four-star track was fair and, at this stage of the season, provided a very good warm-up for the rest of the year. The fences were well-built and the distances were perfect so you could attack them. It was a lovely track to ride around as you could be positive all the way. Hats off to them – they needed a lift after last year and one would hope that those who rode here, especially those from overseas, would go home with positive reports.

“This fixture comes at a good time of the year in Ireland but it’s a shame that there isn’t another international here until Tattersalls.

“I rode in the CCI3*-S as well which was quite strange as it was a first international intermediate run for my horse, Ballybolger Talisman, who is eight. There was plenty in the three-star track and Talisman learned a lot from it.

“He is a real surprise package as I’ve had him since he was four but he’s a bit tricky. He’s another by Puissance but has lots of blood being bred by Rosemary Ponsonby out of a thoroughbred mare. It just takes time for these traditionally-bred horses to learn the ropes but it’s usually worth the wait and he has a real engine.

“I’ve been delighted with the way the season has gone so far and much of the credit goes to Sally (Corscadden) who has made sure that we (the high performance squad) have the best coaches she can find and are provided with the best information and assistance when it comes to fitness and nutrition.

“There is a good culture in the team these days and it’s up to us riders to make sure we don’t slip back into old ways.”

PERFECT GROUND

Britain’s Ben Hobday, who finished second in the CCI4*-L when adding 0.8 of a cross-country time penalty to his flat work mark of 32.8 with Shadow man (winner of the CIC1* here in September 2016), also praised the event organisers.

“This is a fantastic venue!” he enthused. “When you’re greeted at the gate by a smiling face, it’s always a good start and, when you get a good result, it makes the journey over all worthwhile. The ground was in perfect condition and the course designer did a great job, it was a true four-star test.”

Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti, who won the CCI2*-S on Swirly Temptress, finished third here on the Irish Sport Horse gelding Note Worthy (36.9), a 15-year-old Limmerick bay bred in Co Down by Elaine McIntyre out of the thoroughbred mare Camedia (by Lord Americo). Britain’s James Robinson, on his first visit to Ireland, was fourth in the 19-runner class on another ISH gelding Native Spirit (37), a 10-year-old by Corragarry Cruising Porsch.