THE husband and wife team of Patricia and Michael Ryan dominated the proceedings in the ISH six-year-old sector to land the top three places in this latest edition. Teaming up with Tom and Carol Henry’s The Caped Crusader (by Nazar), Patricia opened with a commanding lead (26.8), and adding nothing further completed nearly five points ahead of Michael, who was double-handed with the second-placed Gurtera Jimmy Clover and Liscarrow Hugo in third. The winner, who was sourced as a three-year-old from his breeder Barbara Hatton (at the Monart sale) is aimed for Camphire, and is according to his rider, “a very genuine, straightforward horse who loves his job.”

The cross-country had no influence in either this class or the five-year-old equivalent, so largely in dressage order, the top spot in the latter fell to Adam Haugh with Tullymurray Fifi. It had been a mixed day for Haugh, who in two freaky incidences hit the deck twice over the course of the day. He made up for it however, as the mare Fifi, who having won two legs, now stands just behind Camilla Speirs (BT Juste Capitane) in the current standings. In second place, Fraser Duffy (Fernhill Kilbunny) are also clocking up points, while in third spot Caoimhe Eivers added her name to the rankings with It Ain’t Simple.

In comparison, jumping errors in the country and the show jumping rejigged the order in the four-year-old division. The top two after dressage both plummeted down the placings, to open the door for the winning pairing of Ian Cassells with Loughtown Bonnie. Bred by Julia Crosby, the Frankfort Boy-sired filly was sourced by Cassells last year, and although this was her first event, she has qualified for the young event horse class at the RDS. “She’s a little smaller than the horses I usually ride, but she has so much blood and really jumps,” said Cassells.

Caroline Lynch picked up a good second place with Deards Cruise D’Amour, from Jason Dear aboard Al Dat Quality.

Under age classes

Pony squad member Tiggy Hancock gave herself the best boost for the forthcoming European Championships, when she posted a one/two in the EI110 (P). Riding Coppenagh Little Sparrow, and Corries Whisky, Hancock was fault-free throughout, to complete ahead of third-placed Keelan Murray (Lough Fadda Rudi).

Dressage leader Clodie Coen (Ballinglen Susies Master) led the EI110 (J) from flagfall and, with a five-mark advantage completed in front of Emily Barratt (BGS Mikado).

Due to space restrictions, and the inclusion of the ISH classes, the EI 100 and EI 90m classes have not been covered here (results – page 124).