DELIVERING ground described by Joseph Murphy as perfect, and by fellow senior riders as the best encountered all season, Ballindenisk staged a well-supported two-day fixture last weekend.

Aiming to suit a wide range of riders including the amateurs, the schedule featured 20 classes from EI 120 down to EI 90, and catered for horses as well as ponies. The track had changed a fair bit from the last fixture, as the start had been moved to the racecourse side of the farm.

This was due largely to the new infrastructure of the venue, as organiser Peter Fell explained. “Since the installation of the new arena, we’ve had a rethink. I think that this new layout seemed to work well, and it meant that the two waters are now better placed in the middle of the tracks. Overall, the weekend went well. We were lucky with the weather, as we had a perfect amount of rain which gave us ideal conditions.”

It was notable and especially on Sunday in the EI 100 classes, that there were an unusual number, albeit insignificant, of falls in the show jumping. “I really don’t know why,” Fell reflected. “Possibly the new arena, and the bright set of jumps and fillers may have been a big eyeful for some of the less experienced. I will have to look in to it.”

Saturday classes

Have had an annoying blip at Kilguilkey the previous week, normal service resumed for Joseph Murphy and Calmaro in the feature EI120. Running under the new ownership of Claire and Charlie Mayne as well as the rider, the speedy grey Calmaro was one of just two runners to complete within the time allowed.

Despite tipping a coloured rail, the pair returned with a three-mark advantage over the steadier Brian Morrison with the dressage leader Global Faerlie Flashy. Murphy also produced the sole completely clean sheet with his second ride Deroon Diplomat, although just off the pace after dressage, he had to settle for third. “It was a nice win to get, as I just wanted to make sure all was in place again,” commented Murphy. “Calmaro felt great, and it was good to be able to gallop and give him a really competitive run.” Another short format run is next on the cards for this imported son of Carpelano, with a step up in distance due towards the end of the season.

Peter Fell’s track was not without incident. Big and bold, it caused problems for three of the 11 runners with the early oxer to corner (6ab) and the following Peter’s Problem complex (7abc) as the main source of difficulty.

As Gillian Beale-King’s love affair with Irish eventing gathers pace, she claimed yet another victory in the EI 115 (O). This time she teamed up with Richard Ames’ home-bred RCA Summer, an eight-year-old by Royaldik. Leading from the front on a flat work score of 26.6, and carrying forward four penalties from the show jumping, Beale-King scorched her way around the country, to record the sole clear within the time. Just a point adrift, Louise Bloomer filled second aboard Jinnie Webb’s ultra-consistent Shannondale Icarus, from the experienced pair of Ali Holden and Oh My Balladeer. The final leaderboard fell largely in line with the dressage marks, as all 10 starters completed without incident.

Former young rider squad member Stephanie Stammschroer is now eventing full-time from her base in Co Meath, and clocked up her second win of the season in a competitive EI 115 (restricted). Riding the nine-year-old Brownstown Remi, a gelding she has produced from a four-year-old, Stammschroer was promoted from an opening second spot and, as one of just two double clear rounds, narrowly held the advantage over Michael McNally and Clonakilty Bay.

A dual winner this season, the traditionally bred son of Remington Clover has really matured as his rider explained. “He’s taken time, but when he gets all three phases together at the same time he’s very competitive.”

Stammschroer, who has benefitted from a spell in England with British international Nicola Wilson, also paid tribute to Ian Woodhead for the improvement in the dressage. “When I’m working with the horses, I try to think what Ian would tell me to do, and it seems to be working!” she added.

Dressage leaders Brian Morrision and Global Theodoros paid the penalty of lowering a show jump to complete in third. Three of the runners picked up isolated faults across the country, while a further two walked home.

Katie O’Sullivan with Licence to Cooley had only one to beat in the EI 110 (O), while Michael McNally enjoyed an emphatic pillar-to-post victor in the strong restricted sector. Landing his third win of the current campaign with Gavin Smiddy’s DHI Showtime, he posted one of two double clears, to head Emma Hosey with Borris King Quality.