HEADING a memorable one-two-three for Ireland, and boosting the squad’s WEG hopes in the process, Padraig McCarthy headed the Cahervillahow CIC3* with Mr Chunky. Already nominated to travel to Tryon, the pair added just 0.4 to their winning dressage mark (26.8) to narrowly pip fellow traveller Sarah Ennis (Horseware Stellor Rebound) and the reserve combination of Ciaran Glynn and November Night.

“The horse is in brilliant form,” said an obviously thrilled McCarthy. “It wasn’t my plan to win it as I was conscious of not having a run since Badminton, but I looked at my watch passing the main house, and I thought I’d give it a go.”

The British-bred son of Jumbo was formerly ridden by McCarthy’s wife Lucy and is according to his rider, “the ultimate event horse, and a privilege to ride. This win here, together with the other good results is a good omen and its so good to see these horses coming into form.”

While McCarthy led from flag fall, Ennis had steadily moved up from an opening fourth position. In the end she was less that a mark in arrears and commented afterwards, “I nearly had Padraig! Its all great for us Irish at the moment, and long may it last.”

Ennis’s first phase score of 27.4 led her to add: “It was a little disappointing, although not a bad test. I altered my warm up which did not quite work as planned. He was amazing in the country though and felt like he was on springs.”

A new look bit, with a set of roundings also worked for the pair, whose plan is to have another run before travelling to Tryon.

TOUGH TASK

Clear rounds in the show jumping were particularly hard to achieve, so it was even more rewarding that all three Irish riders left the poles intact. Moving up to fill third, Ciaran Glynn and November Night had climbed 11 places after dressage.

“It’s been a rather frustrating year, so it was nice to put a result on the board,” said the Killossery-based rider. “She did a pretty good test, and show jumped really well. The cross-country was never going to be picture perfect at CIC speed, but having reverted to her old bit, she was as smooth as she’s ever been.”

New Zealander James Avery rounded off his first Camphire by filling fourth with Optima Prime, from Aiden Keogh who was stylish in fifth and sixth with Master Tredstep and Pride of Tredstep. Tim Price was happy enough to add time penalties to the score of the WEG possible Ringwood Skyboy in seventh, and also rode Bango into eighth.

There were dramas aplenty during Sunday’s exciting cross-country phase. As is often the case in the short format classes, the speed changed the complexity of the tracks, with the result that eight riders failed to complete and a further four clocked up single penalties.

Sian Coleman took a heavy tumble off Kilroe Hero at the Cider Stand (11) at the top of the Castleacre drop complex, while Melanie Young received a ducking when Sorbet dropped his shoulder while negotiating the Horseware Ireland water (10ab).

Several other riders were eliminated for accumulative penalties, whereas Brian Morrison (Global Milchem JJ) and Melanie Wilder both walked home after costly errors of course.