IZZY Riley heads to the Tattersalls International Horse Trials on the back of a very comprehensive success with Ballycarron Lad in the CNCJ1* at Glenpatrick on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Newtownards rider, who will have to sit two A Level exams during the Co Meath international, had one error in her dressage test but, on a score of 25 penalties, was still some way ahead of her nearest rival, Hollie Smith on Anvil Lodge Pinnochio (39.8).

While both had clear show jumping rounds, Smith’s grey had a glance-off at the skinny chest at seven in the Fort as Riley just picked up 5.2 time penalties on the former racehorse, Ballycarron Lad. It is hoped that among those supporting the 15-year-old Snurge gelding at Tattersalls will be Helen Bond in whose colours the bay won two point-to-point races and a chase.

Smith had a second ride in this class and, with four show jumping penalties and 1.6 for time across the country, claimed the runner-up spot with the mare Baby Roller (52.1), who too is heading to Tattersalls, as is Glenpatrick Cool Guy who, with 12 time penalties, finished third (52.3) on Saturday under Fionn Clarke.

“We were delighted with the win,” said Riley’s mother and successful owner Sarah who will be well-acquainted with the road to Tattersalls as daughter Katie, who rides Versace Biscuit in the CCIJ1* class, is also sitting an exam during the horse trials. “Ballycarron Lad had an excellent dressage score but was really good in all three phases.”

Glenpatrick was a selection event for potential team ponies and the CNCP2* class attracted 14 combinations from all over the country.

The honours went to Kate Lenihan whose performance in the long arena with Sheebas Boy resulted in a winning penalty score from Angeline Nicholson of 43.6 to which the Waterford combination added 1.6 for time across the country.

Clear all the way over the fixed obstacles, Kilkenny’s Charlotte Teehan had two show jumping fences down for a completion score of 52.7 with Knockenpower Minnie.

Many of the pony riders lowered the first of the coloured fences, a vertical. Sheebas Boy and Knockenpower Minnie are among the entries for Tattersalls – as are most of their rivals from Saturday.

Newry’s Caitie Slater, who is trained by Horse Sport Ireland’s pony high performance manager Becky Cullen, completed a hat trick of victories in the EI100P with the Connemara Breeogue Breeze whose total of 31.9 included 0.4 of a cross-country time penalty. The six-year-old Gurteen Paddy gelding is owned by Cullen.

Justine Harding held on to win the EI100J class on her mother Rachelle’s lovely chesnut mare Charissma in spite of adding 3.6 cross-country time penalties to her winning flat work score of 30.5.

The highly-talented Alex Byrne had a super result in the 10-runner EI90P class, winning on her flat work mark of 29.8 with the 20-year-old former show pony Chinook Calibra and finishing second on the last-to-go Forest Lodge Rambler who added four show jumping penalties to his winning dressage score of 26.5.

While the weather was much kinder than last year, when the ground was heavy, there was a torrential hail shower which lasted about 10 minutes between the end of the CNC1* and the start of the pre-novice section.

Caught out at the Irish Bank, I was offered shelter in his car by Jasper de Montmorency who noted that the temperature display showed 17 degrees.

Jasper, who appears to have done a lot of fence judging this season, is just one of the many volunteers who regional secretary Dora Beacom would like to thank for their help from the start of the campaign. Those visiting Glenpatrick for the first time on Saturday would probably like to thank whoever put up the Eventing Ireland direction signs. They are always a help.