IT had been a busy 10 days for Kilguilkey House organisers Danny and Michelle Dulohery, who having wrapped up their recent international showcase and a subsequent pony club camp, staged a successful one-day event fixture last weekend. Notably, and largely due to the massive efforts Dulohery puts into the ground preparation, the venue attracted another sizeable entry, spread well across the 16 classes.

Following a dry week, Dulohery had watered, aggrovated and then watered the cross-country tracks for a second time, to help ease the sting in the ground.

As a result, the courses rode well, and while several in the amateur classes clocked up penalties, there were very few problems out on track, and the times were easy to achieve. In the feature 1.15m sectors, it was left to an up to height show jumping course to decide the final placings, but overall the remaining classes fell largely in dressage order.

Logistics had prevented a busy Michelle Dulohery from taking her place the CCI*-S-Intro the previous week, so it was good to see her not only fulfilling her commitment in the EI110 Amateur sector, but also heading the line up with her veteran performer Blackmoor Crest.

Fellow amateur rider (EI100 A), and frequent Kilguilkey House volunteer Martina Sheehan was not so lucky however, and was taken to hospital following a nasty tumble when exiting the main water. Fraser Duffy also hit the deck when a falling on the flat but fortunately walked home unscathed.

EI 115m (Open) and EI115

They have been knocking at the door all season, and following a string of good results which included a top 10 placing in the CCI2*-L at Tattersalls, Fergal Nesbitt and Apollo Landing finally landed a win in the open sector of the of EI115. A long-time admirer of the gelding he affectionally calls ‘the beast from the south east’, Nesbitt bought the 11-year-old from Bridget McCauley at the end of last year. Standing well in excess of 17hh and boasting a stamp that would more than hold its own in the heavyweight hunter class at the RDS, the traditionally bred Apollo Landing is by Laughtons Flight out of Ciara Pride (Master Imp). “I’ve always loved him, and I love his jump, but never thought I would be able to afford him,” revealed his rider. “With help from my brother, I eventually did, and I’m never surprised how well he goes.”

Despite his size, the gelding really covers the ground, and demonstrating that ability he was the sole runner to return within the time. This feat promoted him to the top of the leaderboard, and when all progressed to fault over the coloured poles, he remained there to head joint dressage leaders Gerald Bloomer (DLS Entertainer) and Daniel Alderson aboard Chance Encounter VII.

The Camphire CCI3*-L is next on the cards for Nesbitt, while the short format equivalent is on the agenda for the EI 115 winners Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint. Heading an exciting class which saw the lead change in the final moments, Latta jumped one two of just two show jumping clear rounds, to turn the tables on Sarah Ennis with Tullabeg Tango. Ennis, who had critically rolled just one fence with the dun mare was demoted to second spot from Eva Melly (Wolf Vegas). Taking part in only their second outing at the level and chasing Ennis from the outset, this was a good result for the Co Wexford rider, who has competed Alison Crampton’s Goresbridge Go For Gold purchase for the past two years.

“He’s only just stepped up in class, so I was delighted both for him and the owners,” said Latta. “He was brilliant, and so brave in the country.”