Sally Parkyn

BUCAS IRELAND CIC**YR

FOLLOWING his outstanding weekend at the national championships two weeks earlier, Cathal Daniels scooped yet another important victory in the Bucas Ireland CIC**YR.

Already selected for this year’s European squad with Rioghan Rua, Daniels partnered Margaret Hynes’ Barnaboy Freeman to head a strong field of 20 runners.

The 13-year-old stallion was a little off the pace in the dressage (54.7) but after producing a fast and accurate round in the country moved up to fill third spot overnight.

The withdrawal of leader Sophie How due to injury, gave the Galway rider a further advantage, and after a masterly piece of riding in the final show jumping phase Daniels eventually edged home to win by a narrow 0.4.

His supporters watched with disbelief as the pair crashed through the first show jump but Daniels skilfully nursed the stallion over ground he clearly disliked.

“We came to the first on a good stride, but he wasn’t able to pick up,” explained the rider. “He really tried his hardest, and he was so honest and brave to jump round after that.”

Homebred by his owner, Barnaboy Freeman is by the fully approved sire Cottage Fire out of Lissinard Clover (Robertsown Boy).

One only a few entries eventing in Ireland, he enjoyed a good show jumping career before turning to the sport of eventing. Alex Lee-Simpson’s demotion to second place was tough, having led the winner into the final phase, Lee-Simpson lowered a pole but also collected a hugely expensive time fault.

He said: “The round seemed ugly to ride – and I could feel her struggling in the ground.”

The Co Meath 20-year-old recently returned to Ireland having spent two years training in England with Australian international Paul Tapner. His horse was formerly ridden by Olympian Matt Ryan, and is by the event stallion Mayhill, although has Suffolk Punch bloodlines in the pedigree.

As the sole rider to complete on her opening mark (62.3), British young rider Natasha Brent was thrilled to take third place aboard the Irish-bred Mini Bubble (by Camiro De Haar Z), rising up from 16th place. Lucy Latta was another to impress in fourth with DHI Broadway (64.1), as did the selected squad pairing of Robbie Kearns and Garrybritt Bonnie (65.1). In contrast to the show jumping, the action across the country did not affect the leaders. Four riders clocked up individual penalties and just one failed to complete.