JUNIOR rider Ruth Burke and trainer Orla Byrne had a weekend to remember, beginning on Saturday when Ruth rode Byrne’s FLS Confusion to win a competitive EI 100 (J).

Leading from pillar to post, the capable Burke pipped Lucy Kerrigan with Intruso de Valle, while in the equivalent class the following day, she partnered her own SRS Mini Vendi to better Killian Murphy with Ballinaclough Caruso.

Capping a rewarding two days for Byrne’s Forest Lodge Stables, where all these juniors are based, fellow pupils Niamh Kirwan (Ballyvary Padraig) and Andrew Walsh (Killea Hill Melody) filled the top two placings in Saturday’s EI 100 (P).

Recording a double clear round, Kirwan led the 21 runners from the get go, just in front of Walsh who shared the same mark as third-placed Josh Williamson with Comberton Coda.

Having won at Loughanmore two weeks earlier, Ballinasloe-based Godfrey Gibbons landed an EI 110 (P) double when heading Sunday’s class with Marie Dunne’s Rebel Mountain-sired Coolaneen Rebel. One of several underage riders to impress, he led by a distance from Jill McKenna with Freddie.

Saturday round-up

Completing a hat-trick of EI100 victories, Fraser Duffy and Fernhill Heart Throb proved unbeatable yet again in Saturday’s EI100. In a class where the top 15 completed on their dressage mark, the six-year-old Biscayo-sired gelding, led from flag fall, to lead Lucy Morgan with the Global Event Horses-owned first timer Global Il Divo. The busy Kilkenny rider, who had a lorry load of horses each day at the venue, also completed in third spot with the Namelus R-sired Knoxx.

Ian Cassells, who on Sunday took a tumble from Master Point in the EI 115, added to his seasonal tally of wins in the EI 90. Teaming up with Gerry Leahy’s traditionally-bred novice Millridge Flight (by Tara Emperor), he won despite adding four penalties to his runaway dressage score of 23.0, and was foot-perfect in second spot with his own four-year-old, Loughtown Tina by Quantino.

Finally, Hannah Grove picked her first EI win in the EI90 (P). New to the sport this season, Hannah rode her own Millie,to post one of only three double clear rounds, and better Brian Kuehnle aboard his father Hans’s first-timer Lachamore Armani.