CNC3*, O/CNC2*,

CNC2*

FIRST phase leaders Aiden Keogh and Master Tredstep progressed to enjoy a great spin in the country in the CNC3*, but with a trip to Houghton on the horizon, Keogh opted to withdraw at that stage of the competition. Ciaran Glynn (Killossery Jupiter Rising), one of only two to successfully take the straight route through the final water, did likewise leaving just three runners to tackle the coloured poles. The entire track had been moved onto fresh ground, and while only Joseph Murphy and Fernhill Frankie jumped a clear round (49.0) the honours narrowly fell to Murphy’s second ride HL Mrs Imp (49.4).

There will have been celebrations on the Old Head of Kinsale on Sunday night as Alice Copithorne posted her best winning result to date in O/CNC2*. Teaming up with her cross-country specialist Fort Arthur Going For Gold, Copithorne progressed from midway on the flat to deliver the only double clear.

The 12-year-old home-bred has always been recognised as a machine across the country, but the other phases have presented their challenges. “Michael and Trish Ryan have been helping me and have been a great help,” explained Copithorne. “I now have the points to upgrade, so hopefully we shall aim for the three-star at Kilguilkey at the end of June.”

The breeding of this brave and exciting mare has always been listed as unrecorded, but the family are now making roads into tracking it down. “She’s by a Danish thoroughbred, and out of a mare whose bloodlines go back to stallions that my great grandfather stood here many years ago,” added Copithorne, who is now based at her home in Kinsale, producing event horses and hunters.

Dressage leaders Ali Holden and O My Balladeer slipped to second after a costly rail in the show jumping, from Nicole Lynch and Chasmerella. Only Louise Bloomer failed to complete, when the experienced Hollybrook High In The Sky uncharacteristically downed tools at the first water.

While his partner Michelle Kenny was impressing at the international fixture at Chatsworth, British-based Rafael Sanctuary made a rare competitive visit to Ireland to land the CNC2* with the useful RLE Carsontown Lord. The consistent son of Limmerick filled second spot on the flat, and maintaining a clean sheet, led Brian Morrison (Good Luck) as well as Padriag Flanagan with Lu Ca. Dressage leader Louise Bloomer was also foot-perfect but, opting to take her time with the smart Hollybrook Hotshot, competed in fourth.

O/CNC* and CNC*

Having been competing at the Floors Castle international in Scotland the previous day, the well-travelled Brian Morrison took the pole position in the O/CNC*. With an enviable depth of horses, the Cork man partnered the imported Cassero 3, who was making just his second full run under EI rules. He impressed flat work judge Emer White to score an unbeatable mark of 26.5, adding just two further penalties for time. In second place, Ella Boyle and Grafenstolz Distinction were the only pairing to maintain their opening score, from Finnish visitor Heli Nannimainam riding Deanerys.

Carrying the biggest entry of the day, the spoils in the 30-strong CNC* went to Co Wexford in the hands of Patrick Whelan. Riding for Harold Lusk, Whelan partnered the smart seven-year-old The Irish Factor, for whom this was his first win under rules. The son of The Echo Factor led from the front, before posting the fastest round across the country. The tipping of a rail made no difference to the final order which saw Camilla Speirs take second spot with Lulu Parkhill’s clean jumping Lukas, from Daniel Alderson with Ballybolger Watchman in third.

The winner was keenly watched from the side lines by Brian Lusk, who had sourced the gelding from Goresbridge three years ago. “He cut his hock badly as a five-year-old so had to take some time out,” explained Lusk. “He’s a big horse and a big mover, and I think will be very good in the right hands.”

Unsurprisingly, and due to the deteriorating ground, clear rounds in the show jumping were rare. Many of those who had clocked up penalties opted not to run in the country, but of those who did, all bar four jumped round clear and all completed.