Rewarding victory for Boyle

ELLA Boyle recorded her first Eventing Ireland win since August 2019 when landing the EI110 at Knockany last Saturday on her mother Mandy’s Hanoverian mare, Denali.

The 23-year-old, who missed the first half of the season as the result of a stable accident, was in control of the 15-runner field from the outset as Rosie Gomes awarded her a personal best score of 10.5 penalties with Steven Smith next on Caprio (17) ahead of Rachel Thompson with Govalent (23.8). All three show jumped clear.

On the final leg, Smith picked up 20 jumping penalties (and six for time), Caprio being one of a number of horses at this level who just didn’t make the second element on a bending line after the substantial lane parallel (20ab), while Govalent and Thompson parted company at Frank’s Bank (8ab). Boyle and Denali meanwhile picked up two time penalties for a total of 12.5.

This left them a long way clear of the second-placed combination, Alison Baird and the consistent seven-year-old OBOS Quality 004 mare TMS Freya, who completed on their dressage score (30), and Colin Halliday with the six-year-old Van Gogh mare GHS Calexico whose total of 34.6 included four show jumping penalties and 1.6 for time across the country.

“I’m just delighted to get this result as Denali is a super horse,” said Boyle of the eight-year-old Dubarry mare who is one of four horses the rider is competing at Ballindenisk this weekend. “We’ve just taken a while to gel but hopefully we’re getting there. I’m not 100% sure if we’ll go anywhere else this year – it will depend on how next week goes!

“Next year, I’ll get cracking with her early and hopefully get her up the levels. Since coming back from my accident, I’ve very much been planning as I go but, so far so good, and I’m hopeful for a good season in 2022 with them all!”

Co Kildare’s Amelia McCarthy recorded an uncontested win in the EI110 (J) with her mother Zazel’s six-year-old Sillogue Maximus mare Tillystown Girl on whom she is competing in the CCI2*-S at Ballindenisk.

Sarah O’Shea, who is based with the Smith brothers, completed on her winning dressage score in the EI100 (J) with her mother Susan’s 19-year-old Cruising gelding Youngstars Cheetah. The only other rider in the eight-strong field to finish on her first phase score was Anna McCaldin who was second on Rum Jumbie (27.5). O’Shea is riding Youngstars Cheetah, and The Cherokee Flight, in the CCI1*-Intro class at Ballindenisk this weekend.

All three combinations in the EI100 (P) ended the day on their first phase scores, Alex O’Hare claiming the honours with her mother Donna’s 11-year-old bay mare Greylands Diamond Girl.

Co Meath-based Amanda Goldsbury, who is representing her native New Zealand at Ballindenisk this weekend, finished first and second in the 18-runner EI90 having occupied those positions from the outset on two four-year-old mares.

Goldsbury claimed the honours on Michael McNally’s Hale Athena (20.3) and filled the runner-up position on the Ramiro B bay Red Hot Chilli Filly (22). The winner is a daughter of Mr Hale Bob, who represented Ireland at two European pony championships, and was bred by the stallion’s owner, Maurice Smiddy, out of the Coevers Diamond Boy mare, River Vally Tara.

Although picking up 2.4 cross-country time penalties, Beth Toner comfortably saw off three rivals to win the EI90 (Amateur) on the six-year-old Cobra gelding Cavalier Cobra who, out of a Cavalier Royale mare, has 31 Show Jumping Ireland points.

There were also just four starters in the EI90 (P) where Lauren McGlennon had mixed luck, retiring Glencaugh Draiocht, who had been lying second after dressage and show jumping on 28.3, but making all to win with her mother Karen’s 11-year-old Connemara mare OMS Lady Esquire (31.8), an LA Mirah grey having her second EI start.

The vast majority of riders in the 20-strong EI80 (T) class were day ticket holders including Rowena McCormick who won on her 12-year-old chesnut mare Indigo Rose (33.3). McCormick was left in front when one of the joint-leaders after dressage on 29 penalties, Katie-Leigh McArdle, was eliminated with Totally Special in show jumping while the other, Jonathan West, dropped to fourth with 14.4 cross-country time penalties on Monmurry Soverign.