Celebrations for Chloe Fagan

WESTMEATH’s Chloe Fagan enjoyed an early birthday present as she won the EI110 (J) on Quick Step Up and partnered Fernhill Candy Crush to land the EI100 (J) where she also finished third with Loughnavalley.

Owned by Amy Parsons, Quick Step up is an eight-year-old mare by Loughehoe Guy. She was bred by John Swanton, who is a member of the national dates committee, out of the Cavalier Royale mare Quick Thinking (CCI3*). Fagan completed on her flat work mark (36.8) while Rose de Montmorency finished second as her total of 39.8 on the joint-dressage winner, Rickamore Notion, included four show jumping penalties. “After a great season with Chloe, I have decided to put Quick Step Up on the market,” said Parsons. “She will suit a junior coming off ponies.”

In the 12-runner EI100 (J), Fagan led after dressage on Loughnavalley (29.3) but the ex-racehorse had two fences down show jumping and finished third. Fagan had immediate compensation as she completed on her first phase score (32.3) with Carol Gee’s Fernhill Candy Crush who was previously campaigned by Fraser Duffy. On their third start as a combination, Hugo O’Neill was second on Pulladoran (33.8). Fernhill Candy Crush, a six-year-old Sligo Candy Boy gelding, was bred in Co Sligo by Padraig Howley.

Well-known Co Waterford pony show jumper, Jess Widger, partnered her first winner under Eventing Ireland rules when, on her third start, she claimed the EI100 (P) class with the Connemara Gortnalea Dun (27.3), while Felicity McConnell finished second on the Ballyvannon winner, Finding Nemo (28.5). Both combinations completed on their dressage scores.

Gortnalea Dun, who has 129 SJI points, is owned by the rider’s mother Laura. The eight-year-old dun is by Clonberne Dun out of Michael Tierny’s Westside Fred mare, Gortnalea Cindy.

There was a good-sized field of 16 in the EI90 (P). Abby Cummiskey set the early lead (29) on CSC Apache Dove who finished sixth with the addition of 10.4 cross-country time penalties.

Happy to move up into the vacated top spot was Katie Haire, completing on her dressage score followed up her Ballycannon win on My Galway Girl (30.8). The eight-year-old skewbald mare is owned by the rider’s mother, Melanie. Rachael Broome finished second (32.3) with Boyher Cookies N Crème (32.3).