KILCULLEN’s Zara Nelson recorded her first win in the senior ranks when landing the EI110 (Open) at Frankfort Stud last Sunday on her mother Michelle’s OLS King Aragon.

The 19-year-old only took over the ride on the nine-year-old Samgemgee gelding about three months ago and they were having just their second start as a combination on Sunday when, with 7.2 cross-country time penalties, they won on a total of 33.7.

Nelson can take much satisfaction from the fact that she finished in front of Sarah Ennis and the Kilguilkey House CCI2*-S winner Lisanley (35.7) and James O’Haire riding HFS Eclipse (37.2). The Luke Drea-partnered Gorsehill Jack, who led after dressage (26), had a fence down show jumping and picked up cross-country time penalties for a fourth-place total of 37.6.

Nelson also finished seventh on OLS Queen Bee (42.9) who is a seven-year-old Luidam half-sister to the winner, the pair being out of the Seamanship mare Just Beauty Queen who competed at the Athens Olympics, the 2002 World Equestrian Games and two European Championships under Sue Shortt.

Nelson, who is coached in dressage by Mark Ruddock and in show jumping by Tom Walsh, works full-time with horses. “I ride out every morning for Jessica Harrington, which I love, then come home and do my own five here each afternoon. They are all entered for Punchestown (today). Looking forward, I have to get my qualifications with King Aragon to be eligible for the Young Riders’ team next season.

“I thought the cross-country course on Sunday was very good, although a bit twisty and turning. There were a good few combination fences and it asked plenty of questions.”

On a day of firsts, Julia Adams recorded her initial win in the Junior ranks when she partnered her father Michael’s nine-year-old Contra A mare, Milchem Ardeo (44.2), to victory in the 10-runner EI110 (J) class.

The Maynooth rider then doubled up when landing the EI100 (P) on the 11-year-old Jack Of Diamonds mare Patience Sweeney who was winning for the first time under EI rules although competing since 2014.

It was also a good day for Wexford’s Georgina Pettit as she posted her first EI110 (P) success on her mother Marguerite’s Connemara gelding Ballyerk Black Beauty, a nine-year-old by Joyce’s Cuckoo, while a long trip south from Downpatrick paid off when, on just their third start under EI rules, Lauren Madine claimed the EI90 (P) on her mother Sharon’s Connemara gelding Moonshine Melody, an eight-year-old by I Love You Melody.

Trim’s Amelia McQuade won her second EI100 (J) class of the season on her Ballymotey Casper who is by the Connemara stallion Ballinaboy Tom out of a thoroughbred mare.