EVENT landowners faced a thankless clean-up operation following last week’s wet and soggy conditions, so full marks go to both the O’Meara family from Clyda, and also the Ryans of Scarteen, for generously hosting two excellent competitions. Both venues not only catered for well over 200 horses apiece, but uncomplainingly coped with the aftermath.

Certainly there was not much grass remaining on the lorry park at the Eventing Ireland fixture at Clyda on Sunday evening, but out on track David O’Meara and Danny Dulohery delivered a new-look course over ground that stood up well.

Running in the reverse direction from last month’s meeting, the scenic track featured a number of fresh and beautifully presented fences and, making a welcome return since the floods of three years ago, the beautiful riverside two-star loop was back in use.

One of the most spectator friendly venues in the country, Clyda improves on every visit. Over the past few years, O’Meara has worked hard to upgrade and among last week’s developments were a permanent secretary’s office, together with facilities.

O/CNC2*

Having opened the season with an almost entirely new string of horses, River Lodge Eventing’s Michelle Kenny is now quietly reaping the rewards of patience. Opting to bypass some of the early internationals, the Co Wexford rider has now hit the ground running, and at Clyda clocked up a smart two-star double with Cothopo and Poynstown Will.

In the open sector, she proved unbeatable with the German-bred Cothopo, who led from the front on 26.8 and produced one of only two double clear rounds. Sourced from Peter Thomsen last year, the nine-year-old by Corrado 1 out of Immaculata (by the thoroughbred sire Langatta Express), had evented to a similar level in Germany, and is now bound for the CIC2* at the Maarsbergen Horse Trials in Holland.

Making a welcome appearance on the national circuit, and holding on to second spot, was the top American pairing of Kim Severson and the Irish-bred Cooley Cross Border. Having retired in the country when contesting The Irish Field CCI3* at Tattersalls the previous week, Severson was keen for the 10-year-old to have a confidence-giving run.

“I felt that the track was very straightforward for the level, but just what we needed,” she said. Although she plans to return to the States soon, Severson is leaving the son of Diamond Roller with Richard Sheane for the summer, and intends to return for Kilguilkey next month, and finally Blenheim in September.

Another Tattersalls casualty to post a good run was Cathal Daniels with OLS Backchat who completed in third from the 12 runners.

As Severson had pointed out, the track was indeed straightforward, but as Dulohery commented: “It is the week after Tattersalls, and with the weather forecast the way it was, we wanted to get riders around confidently.”

Illustrating the ups and downs of the sport, the only horse to err was Loughnavatta Cedar, who tripping up exiting the water, jettisoned Michelle Kenny out of the side door.

Kenny also took the honours in the CNC2* division, this time with the highly regarded Poynstown Will (formerly Poynstown Stonehaven). In second place on the flat (29.8) behind Fraser Duffy (Fernhill Exchange), Kenney was promoted after Duffy unluckily tipped the downhill vertical in the final phase. This proved doubly expensive for Duffy who later had to settle for third spot behind Michael McNally (Classic Piper).

“He feels way beyond his eight years, and just wants to do it for you,” said Kenny of the son of Ars Vivendi. “Ciara (Power) has done a wonderful job producing him – it has made my task much easier. There’s no pressure with him this season, but we may take him to Blenheim for the eight and nine-year-old CIC3*.”

O/CNC* and CNC*

Although the O/CNC* carried only three runners, it was good to see the return of Goldman to the sport after an absence of nearly two years. The Goldwell-sired thoroughbred, who as usual was partnered by Camilla Speirs, turned the tables on dressage leaders Tracy Walshe (Derries Blitz), while Emma Newsam retained her opening third place with Kilkcooley Michael.

Killusty-based young rider Daragh Byrne teamed up with James Meagher’s Ambassador to land the first of two well supported CNC* sections.

As both the cross-country time and the show jumping phase dramatically jostled the placings, Byrne creditably posted one of just two double clear rounds to lead Katie O’Sullivan (Sumas Favour The Brave) as well as joint dressage runner up Dominic Furnell with Knockahunna Twist. The winning son of Ars Vivendi was ridden by his owner in amateur classes last year, but according to Byrne, “Gives you the feeling he’d go on a bit, and could be a good horse.”

Despite adding four time penalties in the show jumping, a determined O’Sullivan managed to come out on top in the similarly unpredictable second sector. This time she partnered the smart debutante AKD Cooley Lock Down, a seven-year-old by Balou du Rouet (dam by Puissance). Bred by Anna Dillon, the gelding had spent some time show jumping under Ethan Ahearne, before Richard Sheane bought him from Edward Widger.

“I’d say he was a fair machine and a proper horse,” revealed Sheane. “He’s one, that if all goes to plan, I would like to keep for Le Lion d’Angers in the autumn.”

Sharing the same completion mark 23.5, but further from the optimum time, second spot fell to Felicity Ward and the consistent Shanagore Jenga, from Nate Connolly (Laught Femster).