STEVEN Smith rode five horses at the Lightsource Tyrella (4) event last Saturday and completed on all, winning two classes (one by default) and finishing second, third and fourth.

“It was a horrible morning but there was no point in putting the start of cross-country back an hour as was suggested as we were all soaked through at that point,” he explained. “I tried to get some of the others to stay but they headed home.

“We have 46 horses in and, with the loss of events up here, we’re very glad to have Tyrella as it can run when a lot of other venues can’t. I was as cold and wet as everyone else but I have to answer to my owners whose horses need MERs and I was happy that the going on the cross-country would be safe. Hollie (his daughter) didn’t need to do the cross-country so we withdrew Anvil Lodge Pinnochio (from the EI110 (Open)).

“As it turned out, the rain helped the going on the cross-country – it was absolutely perfect – and the courses rode very well. We’re grateful that the organisers went ahead and many thanks to the all the volunteers, especially those on call-up.”

DOUBLE

Smith won the EI115 (Open) on Terry Johnston’s attractive 11-year-old Porsch gelding Hi Happy Harry who was the only one of five entries to complete. Two didn’t start while Cathal Daniels withdrew the leaders after dressage, Rioghan Rua and Eclipto.

The Gilford rider brought up his double in the EI110 (Open) on Jan Martin’s Doranstowns Hallo gelding Lassban-Au-Revoir who was making his seasonal debut having run just twice last year. The 15-year-old, who picked up 1.6 show jumping time penalties, finished the day on a total of 25.9 which left him well clear of the Louise Nicholson-ridden Drumaknockan Easter Charm (38.3).

Smith finished third here on Newferry Jagermeister (46.8) who has having his first start at this level and this trio were the only ones to complete as there were three withdrawals after dressage and four non-starters.

In addition to riding numerous horses every day, Smith exercises on a rowing machine most evenings and says that this has helped his back which gave him a lot of trouble last year.

Of those for whom there are definite plans, Hi Happy Harry has the three-star at Tattersalls as an early season target, and will then be aimed at a four-star in the autumn, while Ballyward, who was second in the open EI115 here, has to do another national two-star to qualify.

“As I have so many established horses to compete, I may take some to Houghton the week before Tatts and I have a lot of new ones to come out as well.”

In contrast to Smith, Crossgar-based Jonny Steele had just the one ride on Saturday but he initiated a weekend double when landing that seven-runner EI115 with Bluestone Ice who added four show jumping penalties to his dressage score of 33.6.

“They were having a lot of problems with the show jumps falling in the wind but my fellow lowered that himself!” said Steele of Alison Smith’s 11-year-old Creevagh Grey Rebel gelding who won an EI110 (Open) at Tyrella (2).

“We were going well last year at intermediate level until he had a fall at the national in Ballindenisk and, as we are building up his confidence again, we have no firm plans for him.

“It’s a personal decision to continue or not but I found the going on the cross-country course to be perfect and Adam (Stevenson) had done a really good job with the course which I thought was the best I’d ever ridden over at Tyrella,” concluded Steele.