MEDITERRANEAN weather and bumper entries positively marked Kilguilkey’s seasonal opener last weekend. Running over two days, the fixture staged a mammoth 27 classes, among which were three legs of the popular ISH Eventing Stud Book series.

All ran over new tracks, which according to organiser and designer Danny Dulohery “were basically educational, but at the same time were up to height and with loads of galloping.”

In comparison to how they appeared when walking, the courses went on to cause plenty of problems, but as they should be, the difficulties were well spread around the track. “The feedback was very positive all round,” added Dulohery who was also trialling the new grass jumping arena, on which he had injected some 250 tonnes of sand.

This and other developments are in preparation for the regular international fixture at the end of this month, as well as an additional one pencilled in at the end of July.

ISH classes

Philadelphian rider Gillian Beale King may be new to Ireland’s eventing circuit, but in a few short weeks she has made quite an impact. Landing a one/two in the first of the ISH Studbook classes (EI 115) on Saturday, she dominated the field of 10 from the outset.

Riding for Richard Ames, in a job she describes as “one that dreams are made of”, she delivered one of four double-clear rounds with the first-placed Derena Superstar as well as the runner-up, Ballyvillane OBOS. As another to keep their dressage score intact, Heidi Hamiliton filled third aboard Paula Cullen’s homebred Paulank Kirikee.

Beale King initially tasted life in Ireland when training with Paddy O’Donnell back in 2013 and returned earlier this year. “I was offered the post with Richard and Tanja, and jumped at it,” she said. “These two horses are both phenomenal in their own right, and when one comes through, the other is close behind.”

Recording his second win of the current campaign from just three runs, the eight-year-old son of Womanizer was bred by Francis Tubman out of Miss Dallas (Aldatus Z).

Having made the unsocial 1am start to Kilguilkey from his home in Crossgar, Co Down, Jonathan Steele was rewarded by a first and a third placing in the six-year-old sector (EI110).

Riding his own and Kelly McMullan’s R Showman, Steele won the class on his dressage mark (29.0), from Patrick Whelan and (Piltown OBOS). He also filled third with his second rider R. Kidd who, like the winner, is by John Reids’s successful eventing sire Centre Stage.

Adding to the celebrations, R Showman was bred by Jonathan’s wife Clare being out of Boleybawn Saris (OBOS Quality).

“He’s a very big horse, but is extremely rideable and straightforward,” said Steele. “I’m generally not a great fan of these age classes, but he very much takes things in his stride, and really rose to the occasion.”

The final leaderboard was strongly influenced by the jumping phases, and while dressage leaders Sian Coleman and Monbeg Blarney Pepper had already lost their early advantage in the show jumping, they were also among five runners to pick up penalties in the country. These mishaps were varied, but mainly centred around a tricky skinny (7) following the first water.

Pillar to post

In the final ISH division (EI 100), which was restricted to the five-year-olds, the honours fell to Meabh Bolger with her own MBF Back To Back. Making only their second run under rules, the Co Waterford pair led the 17 starters from flag fall, completing on their opening mark of just 25.0.

Bolger, who together with her partner Brian Flynn run a busy production yard in Co Waterford, thinks highly of this son of Metropole, who she plans to keep and compete through the grades. “I bought him last year from Michael Widger,” she explained.

“At the time he was quite small, but he’s now nearly 17hh and so has taken time. He has exceptional paces, and as I’ve not had a horse to event myself since Killosserry Athletic Touch (Bolger’s international mount), I hope to keep him at least for a couple of years.”

Bred by Liam Duffin in Co Wexford, MBF Back to Back is out Aughmore Irokos Dream (Iroko). Chasing Bolger throughout, Sarah Ennis filled second with Barun Misty from Felicity Ward (EPA Endeavour).