CCI2*S

JP SHEFFIELD rates Camphire as one of his favourite venues and he was delighted to return home after finishing first and third in the Eventing Ireland CCI2*S. Riding the inexperienced Hikita, a seven-year-old mare that opened the season in BE 100 classes, Sheffield led all the way to win on his dressage score of 28.1.

“She’s done very little eventing, as she went show jumping last year,” he explained. “She’s owned by one of my long-standing owners Jane Heerbeck, and I think she will be a very good mare in time.”

Full of praise for the venue, Sheffield added: “I think the courses here are getting better every year, and the six-year-old track was especially strong. Horses learned from the experience though, and came back educated.” Explaining his fondness for the venue he said: “I only do three international events a year, Tattersalls, Millstreet and Camphire, and this is the one I bring the family to. My owners love it here and get looked after really well.”

Daniels close behind

Completing just a mark adrift, Cathal Daniels was in the frame again with the second-placed Capog Tommy. Formerly owned by Patrick McKenna and bred by Tommy Reilly, the son of Camiro de Haar Z only began seriously eventing this year. “He was quite green last year, but he’s come on a lot and was top class here today,” said Daniels. “The track rode well, and on the back of this performance we might move up to three-star.”

Sheffield’s veteran two-star specialist Woodland Wesuvio slotted into third, moving up from fourth place in the final stages. A winner of a similar class at Tattersalls in June, the stallion is according to his rider: “happy to stay at the level”.

Irish riders clustered well in the top 10, with Casey Webb came sixth with Bonito. The pair completed on their dressage score of 33.0, as did Sophie Walshe, who finished just behind her on Hertobrine (33.9). Completing the top 10, Alannah Kelly (Albert), Sarah Dowley (Shannondale Dita) and Sarah Ennis (Moneyball) all carried forward an expensive four show jumping penalties but did similarly well to complete in eighth, ninth and 10th places.

Jumping penalties for these open horses were rare, although Alison Holden called it a day early with the clearly off-form BGS Grand Slam, and Emer Hogan also walked home with Albanos Diamond.

British rider Howard Newitt, who with his wife Lindsay have just relocated from Sussex to Co Laois, took a horrid tumble when exiting the Sema Lease water. Another to stumble in the water, he held on for some time, but when MJM Solomon tried to negotiate the approaching four-star fence, Howard was shipped out of the side door.