FOR only the second time in the event’s long history, Grove unluckily fell victim to one of the wettest days of the summer so far. However, the elements did little to mar what was otherwise an excellent day’s sport, as soaked riders, horses, grooms, volunteers and organiser Rosemary Ponsonby all put a brave face on the proceedings. Full credit especially goes to the dressage and show jumping stewards, and most notably to Charlie Lyttle, who despite being soaked to the skin cheerfully remained at his post throughout the competition.

Of course, Grove’s beautiful parkland turf absorbed the rain like a sponge, with the result that the going remained good in all phases. Paul and Allen Brady’s cross-country tracks proved more technical than last year, and featured two new complexes of corners and cottages built on site by Aidan O’Meara. Each up to height course delivered varying questions, and while the tracks rode well in the conditions, some tight time allowed distances often saw only few return fault-free.

EI115 (O)

Among the eight main sponsors were Fernhill Sport Horses and Sportsfield Event Horses who gave their name to the feature EI115 (O). This incident-filled class was eventually won by Olympian Clare Abbott, who riding the thoroughbred Quingenti for Eventing Ireland vice chair Georgia Stubington was deputising for her injured daughter Luca. Opening in third spot on 27.9, the pair added a further a four, time penalties in the country, but still held off the challenge of second-placed Eva Melly (Wolf Vegas) and Lee Maher riding the smart Caruba LVS Z in third. Now nine years old, the winner was originally sourced as a foal after failing to sell at Goffs. “We thought he might make a sport horse stallion, but he didn’t grow,” explained Stubington. “We then castrated him as a four-year-old, so he’s always been a year or two behind. I’m absolutely chuffed today. Clare has been brilliant.”

Fifteen runners originally went to post, and the class soon lost its first phase leader when Sarah Ennis (Grantstown Jackson) had a green 20 penalties in the country. Ennis, who did not have the best day at the office, went on to expensively take a circuitous route with the well-placed Tullabeg Tango, while Fergal Nesbitt (Apollo Landing) and Emma Newsam (Kilcooley Michael) also erred on track.

Bedmark Shavings EI115 (YR)

Squad-listed Luke Coen and Stroke of Genius would have been the runaway winners of this special young rider division, but by inadvertently bypassing the ski jump (18), they handed the red ribbon to Robyn McClusky and Rum Jumbie. McClusky was always in contention, and despite tipping a coloured rail, her speedy round in the country helped her head team members Ella Boyle (Catriona) as well as Ben Rowlatt-McCormick (Mon Ami Alme). Just four ran across country.