IT was good to see such a large number of Northern Region members at last weekend’s Eventing Ireland national championships at Kilguilkey House and two of the contingent always topped the TopSpec CNC1* championship where Lucca Stubington finally got the better of Andrew Turley.

Riding his 10-year-old Ghareeb gelding Colenomer, Turley headed the leaderboard on 27.8 penalties after Saturday morning’s dressage phase which was judged by Britain’s Jane Tolley and Ireland’s own Vida Tansey.

However, Stubington was right behind with her mother Georgia’s thoroughbred gelding Quingenti (27.9) and the pair remained in that order following their forays over the cross-country course in the afternoon.

FLOWERBOX

The majority of the 28 starters were clear on the second leg but the skinny flowerbox third element of the Packman Pizza mounds saw the elimination of Alex Power with Rincoola Rolo and Alice Copithorne on Shanagore Lusty. Kelley Hutchinson retired Lissyegan HSH following two refusals at that fence where the Leah Knight-ridden Kindred Spirit also stopped twice while John Gavin’s Toome Ramiro Pippin only cleared the flowerbox at her second attempt.

Twenty jumping penalties were also picked up by Garrison Phoenix Rising (Lee Maher) and Cancun Breeze (David Richard) at the AB Corners at nine, by RCA Patron Saint (who had been on 28.8 with Lucy Latta) at the Eventing Ireland Island (11abc) and by Monsieur Jacques (Alyssa O’Neill) at the Fernhill Sport Horses Water Complex (13abc).

Show jumping has always been Colenomer’s weak point and once again Turley lost out on victory when having two down while the eight-year-old September Storm gelding Quingenti responded to an excellent ride from Stubington to go clear and bag the title.

Turley held on to second place when the Lee Maher-ridden NEH Avalon Clover, who was on 29.5, had two down and was then retired and Toni Quail, on 30.7, also had two down with Wellan Summertime.

In spite of lowering the fourth fence, the Camilla Speirs-partnered Lukas moved up from fifth to finish third (36.2).