WEXFORD-based Patrick Whelan is fast building up a smart string of young horses, and this was clearly evident at Millstreet where he racked up a rewarding double in the two EI100 classes. First up, he piloted Liz Mitchell’s first-timer Bluemoonlight, a six-year-old by Urlanmore Nemo out of Beechfield Failte by Welcome Diamond.

The Gemma Phelan-bred grey was in third spot on the flat but benefited when Trish and Michael Ryan’s leading duo dropped out of contention. Trish was particularly unlucky to slip out of the side door after a breakdown of communications with Grantstown Coney Street, while first phase leader Michael rubbed two poles with his week two winner Gurtera Jimmy Clover.

Whelan, who divides his horses between his own yard and that of mentor Louise Codd, was delighted with the winner, who he has had in to produce. Also picking up a ranking were second-placed Zora Feuer (Mealagh Flapjack) and in third, Michael McNally aboard Arkan Player. Ryan’s tumble was the sole cross-country error.

DEBUtant

In the second division, it was the turn of fellow event debutante I’m No Gangster to make an impression, with Whelan again in the saddle. A son of the show jumping stallion Royal Cruise (Cruising) out of Conways Clover by Watermill Swatch, the Thomas Morgan-bred six-year-old has been largely produced by his owner Debby Ewing.

“This was his first event, and he did his job really well today,” acknowledged the rider. “Debby has done most of the work herself, and I’ve only had him for a couple of months.”

Whelan did not have things his own way however, as sharing the same completion score, Jessica O’Driscoll took the second place with John Glynn’s Shanaclough Madison by Sligo Candy Boy. O’Driscoll also returned home fault-free, as did Brianne Stanley and Full of Mischief. The latter is one of the latest of the Haddens’ successful home-breds, and is a half-sister to the Dan Sibley-ridden advanced event horse Michievous and the grade A jumper show jumper Recuerdame.

IMPRESSIVE

With five runners apiece, the two underage classes were poorly supported. In the EI100P pony section, Hazel Harte impressed on the flat with the 10-year-old Glencairn Sixpence, and despite adding time faults, she remained in front of Ruth Burke with Atlantic Dreamer, and Brian Kuehnle aboard The Royal Guest.

Junior rider Hannah Gayer took the honours in the EI100J, riding her own Morafic Prince. She lost some of her early advantage after tipping a coloured pole, but held on to head Eibhlis Myers with Wilderwodd Superhero, as well as Michelle O’Driscoll (Binrado).

Clare Lambert is thoroughly enjoying life at River Lodge Eventing, and netted her second win of the afternoon in the EI90. This time she teamed up with the Vingino-sired Viva Van de Coolsdreef, a seven-year-old mare originally sourced in Holland. “We’ve only had her a few months, and even though she’s green she’s magnificent,” said Lambert.” I took her show jumping to Cavan and Barnadown recently, but she has done very little across the country.”

Millstreet will have been the ideal schooling ground, and a smart double clear round gave the mare a three-mark advantage over Lee Maher with the Irish Draught-bred gelding TM Irelands Kingdom (Star Kingdom).

A busy Lambert also filled third with the clean-jumping Penhills Optimax (Pacino). There were just three cross-country penalties in the sector, including a costly error for Shane Power who squandered a good dressage mark when Lord Seekonig took a second look at the log to water (9abc).

Finally, just three runners lined up in the EI90P which delivered just one double clear round. This feat fell to the winning partnership of Keelin McCarthy riding the seven-year-old Zothans Nobel.