THE EI110 (J) was one of several points scoring competitions for those in contention for junior selection. As a result, it was a highly competitive affair, which saw Kate Lenihan and Rockmills emerging on top of the 15 runners.

The Co Waterford pair look confidently back to form after a blip last year, and having led the dressage on 27.5, drew smoothly clear of Cameron Kiernan Jnr aboard his Clyda runner-up Fernhill Nearly Darc (31.8) in second, and Molly O’Neill with the neat jumping Cleariestown Flavia in third. Lenihan, who is sitting her Leaving Cert this summer, is helped by her parents Joan and Jerry and will concentrate on just the one horse this season.

IMPROVEMENT

Ruth Burke improved on her fourth place at Clyda the previous week, to head the four runners in the EI110 P sector.

Teaming up with Atlantic Dreamer, a pony she sourced in Scotland last year, Burke posted a comfortable lead on the flat, and fault-free remained ahead of Brian Kuehnle (Tullibards Sixth Sense AC) and Tiggy Hancock with Coppenagh Spring Sparrow. Burke, who is in her last year in ponies, is based with Olga Byrne at Forest Lodge Stables in Co Waterford.