ENJOYING a return trip to Ballindenisk after an absence of eight years, Beanie Sturgis clocked up the first win for the British contingent in the Eventing Ireland CCI2*.

Turning the tables in the final moments, Sturgis and the aptly named Catch Me 51 produced a classy show jumping clear, to edge past the overnight leader Alex Postolowsky. “I was kicking myself for making an error in the dressage, but in the end the extra penalty point made no difference,” she remarked afterwards. “We had the best ride in the country, and it was lovely to get him into a gear which we’ve never explored.”

Sturgis is well known in her role as organiser of the up and coming Dauntsey Horse Trials, and has ridden the son of Coral Beach for the past 18 months. “He’s enormous, but like a cat to ride,” she said of the big German-bred nine-year-old, who was formerly ridden by Australian rider Kevin McNab. With McNab in the saddle, he landed the CIC* at Millstreet two years ago, and has only been lightly campaigned this season. “We haven’t run him much because of the ground,” she explained. “And on that front Ballindenisk has certainly delivered.”

Show jumping in pole position, Postolowsky’s two errors with Denver VIII proved expensive. Plummeting to an eventual ninth place, she opened the door for Cathal Daniels who moved into second aboard Jo Breheny’s lovely mare LEB Lias Jewel. Completing on their dressage score, less than a mark adrift of the winners, the recent WEG silver medallist commented: “She’s so consistent and was easily inside the time in the country.”

This is the pair’s first full season together, and while the mare is heading for a break now, she will be kept ticking over. “The plan is to move her up to three-star at the start of next year,” he added.

The bay was bred by Jo’s late daughter Laura, who chose Limmerick as the sire, and under whose prefix she runs. She is avidly supported by Jo who as always, was on the sidelines cheering her on. Carrying a smart pedigree, the dam LEB Liath was sourced from John Brennan, and is a sister to Mary King’s multi-medallist Imperial Cavalier.

The Angus Smales-ridden duo A Bit Much and Valentinos King slotted into third and fourth, from Ireland’s Brian Morrison who was very classy with new ride Westeria Lane. The Kennedy family-owned one-eyed favourite by Rantis Diamond jumped two superb rounds, prompting Morrison to praise him to the hilt.

The Helen West-designed long format cross-country flowed extremely well and did little to trouble the leaders. Interestingly, the four who picked up penalties had filled the bottom rungs after dressage, and just lacking in experience all four faulted at different fences. The Castle water to wall complex (15ab and 16) delivered some interesting riding and lucky escapes, while the following avenue crossing to triple brush (17abc) also demanded accuracy.

All 17 who set out completed, although most unfortunately Angus Smales’ dressage leader Eastern Gold, was withdrawn in the holding box on Sunday morning.