COMPLETING a busy few weeks in which they hosted both the pony club championships and a Try Eventing fixture, the Corrigan family welcomed another large eventing entry to Lisgarvan House last Sunday. Much to the relief of all, the event, which has often drawn the short straw in terms of weather, dawned bright and warm, and remained that way for the duration.

Lisgarvan is notably recognised for its challenging tracks, which are up to height, and designed to test both riders and horses as they progress through the grades. Although they are probably not for a very green first-timer, they deliver a fair and very necessary challenge and, designed by Clive Corrigan together with Paul and Allen Brady, reward training, accuracy and forward riding at all levels,

Remaining true to this ethos, last weekend’s tracks rode as they were intended, and among the tricky features in the main classes were the new complex of rails (9ab), a different EI 115 route running through the water, and the corners at the penultimate.

However, none of these questions proved any difficulty to Robbie Kearns who, riding the Blenheim-bound Master McCormack for Jane O’Flynn, produced the sole double clear round in the feature EI 115 (O). Having filled second place on the flat on 33.6, Kearns was foot-perfect over the coloured poles thus reversing places with leaders Gerald Bloomer (DLS Entertainer) in the final stages.

Surprisingly, four of the seven experienced runners racked up penalties in the country, among whom were European hero Cathal Daniels (LEB Lias Jewel) and team mate Sarah Ennis (Shanbo Skyfall). The latter, who had also squeezed in a trip to Burghley for the young horse finals two days earlier. skimmed past the skinny triple brush exiting the water (7), while illustrating the ups and downs of the sport, Daniels did the same with LEB Lias Jewel.

Having safely negotiated that troublesome complex, Johnny Steele and Blueprint needed a second look at the new offset rails (9ab), while Nessa Briody, who had been going well with Tom Boy parted company at the let-up log (10) at the far end of the course.

Having won a similar class at the venue in the spring, James O’Haire confidently repeated the feat in the restricted EI 115 section, this time riding Patricia Heffernan’s seven-year-old HHS Eclipse. Fast and clear in both jumping phases, the Co Meath rider eventually reversed placings with Sarah Ennis Ennis who was out of luck with her dressage leader Grantstown Jackson, and also Maria Byrne who filled second with BGS Ocean Mist.

The winner, who was bred in Co Wexford by MJ Kavanagh, has been produced by O’Haire throughout, and is heading for the EI110 championships at the national finals this weekend.