FIONA and David O’Meara hosted their second one-day event of the year last Sunday at Clyda where slight changes to the starts and finishes of the cross-country track used in March meant that those who competed in the higher graded classes did so over the maximum distance.

Although there were no divided classes, there were still 15 down for decision on the day. The landowners decided not to stage an EI80 competition, which was so poorly supported in the spring, but to advertise an EI105 class which attracted an entry of 19 of whom 18 started.

The rain which fell earlier in the week was welcomed by the O’Mearas, and their right-hand man Philip Landy, but thankfully there was a dry start to proceedings on Sunday.

Intermittent showers began towards the end of the dressage phase but the ground held up well right to the end of the day.

Among those who competed at both Killossery and Clyda last weekend was Fergal Nesbitt who, recording the only clear round in the show jumping phase, won Sunday’s EI115 (Open) on his dressage score with Padraig Harrington’s Tullabeg Vision (25.7 penalties).

Nicky Roncoroni and Steven Smith, who both had a pole down, finished second and third respectively with Superjumbo (32.6) and HHF Elegance (33.1).

“This is always a pleasurable event as Fiona, David and all the helpers are very welcoming,” said Loughmore, Co Tipperary-based Nesbitt. “The cross-country track was up to its usual high standard, with well-built solid fences, while the line-up of dressage judges here is always very encouraging as one knows one will get a fair assessment.

“Sunday’s show jumping track, which had a lot of related distances, had a big influence on the result – as it should. I thought it was a very good track but then I would as Tullabeg Vision put in the only clear round from the 19 who jumped between both EI115 classes.

“Actually, he was foot-perfect in all three phases. I’m riding him this season as Padraig, who was national Junior champion with the horse in 2017 and has posted numerous victories on him, is currently sitting his Leaving Certificate and concentrated on his studies this year.

“The Harringtons, who live in Killenaule, purchased ‘Vincent’ from Portumna veterinary surgeon Tory Nicholson who started him off. The horse has been based at my Sleepyvalley Stables since Padraig was 14 but, as he is off to college in the autumn, Vincent will then be for sale.”

Just reward

Having ridden five horses at Killossery, Gilford’s Steven Smith was rewarded for his trip down to Clyda on Saturday night when landing the EI115 with MiMI Falb’s onward going Ballyward whose completion score of 35.1 included four show jumping penalties.

Felicity Ward might have wished that Smith had returned home on Saturday as she finished second on Regal Bounty (38.9) and third on The Ridge Cardento (40.3).

Cooley Now Or Never, who led after dressage (29.3) under Katie O’Sullivan, remained in contention when picking up 4.4 cross-country time penalties but dropped down the leaderboard following the influential show jumping phase. There were three eliminations in this class for falls across the country which occurred at three different fences.