HAVING been voted Ireland’s best event venue in 2019, it came as no surprise to see a full capacity entry for Sunday’s Eventing Ireland fixture at Crecora. The event incorporated the ISH Stud Book age series for both horses and ponies, and in a late and appreciated move, the permitted entry had been increased to 250, enabling those on the waiting list to compete.

The fixture also staged the Tiggy Hancock Memorial EI 110 class, in which as hosts and close friends, the Furnell family donated the entry fees to Tiggy’s Trust Fund. In addition, the Hancock family kindly presented a perpetual challenge trophy to the winning rider, which in this inaugural year alone was presented to the leading combination after the first two phases. In keeping with the sunshine on the day, the yellow theme was evident everywhere, as even the start box was painted in Tiggy’s favourite colour.

The success of Crecora is very much a family endeavour, and as expected, they had injected a massive effort to provide good ground in these heatwave conditions. Gerald Furnell had spent 10 hours aggrovating the entire site on Saturday evening, and was rewarded by positive feedback. Despite the large numbers, the day ran like clockwork, and with quick changes between the classes, the action was completed by 5.20pm in the afternoon.

EI115 (O) class

Having racked up a win, and multiple placings at Tullylish the previous day, the indefatigable Steven Smith had a quick turnaround to lift the EI 115 (O) at Crecora. Unjaded after his 200-mile journey, he piloted June Burgess’s consistent Galwaybay Echo to win from the front, leaving Megan Telford Kelly and Mr Chocolate five marks adrift in second, from James O’Haire who was also fault-free with HFS Eclipse. Typically, the track was not without incident, as three of the nine starters picked up penalties in the country with the two skinnies exiting the water catching out two of trio.

In the restricted division, Daniel Alderson demonstrated his versatility as a rider when heading the class with new ride Miss Matana. Another to post a clear advantage after dressage, Alderson was foot-perfect with the mare who has been sent to the team at Global Event Horses to sell. Formerly ridden by Clare Abbott and Katie Riley, the daughter of OBOS Quality impressed her new jockey who commented: “Clare and Katie have done a very good job. She was very easy, straightforward and genuine.”

Once again, the cross-country influenced the lower placings. Fraser Duffy (Designer Fernhill) lost out on a potential second placing when picking up a single penalty at the water, promoting Alex Donohoe and Kilcandra Bonnie Reward, as well as the slightly slower Emily Barrett BGS Mikado in third.

EI 110 (O) class

Just three went to post in the open EI 110, with the honours falling to Michael O’Toole and Icco. A purchase from Daisy Duggan last autumn, the imported eight-year-old has impressed his rider this season, and is likely to upgrade before the year is out. As dressage leaders, Jim Newsam and Tullybee Renegade slipped to second after lowering a coloured pole, leaving Karen McGrath (Helluvaguy) in third.

Marie O’Connor landed one of the biggest wins of her career to date, when she took the top spot in a very competitive EI 110. Teaming up with Blessington Kings Lier (Kings Master) the competitive amateur produced an unbeatable dressage mark of 29.0, and despite the addition of four penalties from the show jumping, she stayed ahead of Fraser Duffy (Jet Set) and also Casey Webb with Aprils Pacino Time. “I had a really smooth ride,” said O’Connor, who combines her eventing with a full-time job. “It was one of those ‘wow’ days!”

O’Connor was not alone in faulting in the show jumping, as indeed there were only seven clear rounds from the 20 runners.

The day drew to a close with a sector of EI 100, and two at EI 90 level. In the former it was good to see Amanda Goldsbury back in action to win with Janet Williamson’s Comberton Coda, while the honours in the latter classes went to Rachel Wrest aboard her event debutante Cool Edition and to Orlaith Delmare riding the lightly raced thoroughbred Selaron Steps.