Margie McLoone

THE inaugural Rosanna Horse Trials took place last Sunday in Ashford and the organising team can be congratulated on a job well done.

While there were a few complaints about signage, they did not come from anyone travelling from north of the venue on the M11 and, on entering the field, the parking was well-organised. A horse-free zone was established around the permanent Wild Rosanna offices and the food area where one stall, Simple Stocks, was set up for the day. The programme, designed by event rider Jenny Doran’s Halycon Days, sported a glossy cover which listed the sponsors of classes, fences and special awards.

For those who live in flat parts of the country, the hills were tough going, particularly for those who accompanied a number of horses and ponies down to and up from the dressage area.

Despite being in the shadow of the motorway, it was very quiet in this spot and must have made a wonderful, if fleeting, spectacle for passers-by above.

Damian Beevor was show jumping builder for the day and he made excellent use of the slight gradients in the one-star ring to ensure that this phase too had a bearing on the results. The time was well displayed on the front of the lorry in which judge Michael O’Connor was stationed.

Luke Drea’s public debut as a cross-country course designer didn’t have the most auspicious of starts as a large tree toppled over about 10.30am, enveloping the intro fence and just missing one of the new Land Rovers on display by fence sponsor Paddy Connolly Motors. Host and course builder John Wilding suddenly found himself with spare timber!

The two road crossings rode extremely well although Aidan Keogh might not agree as he was decanted from Tredstep Bold Flyer when jumping the wrong side of the flags at the first of these (fence five).

The most influential fence on the track was the Willow Horse Park Hollow (coffin) at 12.

Two horses retired here and plenty of others had to have a second look at one or other of the rollers either side of the ditch. While not having to take on the ditch, the fence also a big effect in the pre-novice sections as did the water at 21.

The hills made the time very difficult to achieve and, in the one-star classes, only three combinations managed to beat the clock, Sarah Ennis with one of her five rides over the course, Fortmoy Cushla, and two junior competitors, Chloe Rooney and Toni Quail.

The start and finish areas of the cross-country course, which included the second water fence, were in a hollow and it was great to see so many watching the action while seated on the high bank just below commentator Tadhg Ryan and his assistant, and mother, Sue.

“We were very happy with the day,” said Drea. “There are a few things we can improve on and there is plenty of room for expansion.

“I think people were surprised that the cross-country was so influential but I kept saying it would be up to height, not too technical and require forward riding. I think fence 12 was just an old-fashioned coffin that we don’t come across much anymore.

“One of the great things about the day was seeing so many Co Wicklow people just coming along to watch; we really haven’t had anything in this area since losing Bel-Air. We had a great team behind the event and a wonderful group of volunteers.”