Sally Parkyn

SARAH Ennis and Jonty Evans led a powerful Irish attack on the inaugural Event Riders Masters at Chatsworth last weekend. The duo, who were two of nine Irish riders taking part, produced outstanding performances to land top 10 placings and strengthen their Olympic claims. Padraig McCarthy’s CIC*** victory with his new ride Mr Chunky added to the celebrations, while other highlights included Esib Power’s third placing on Soladoun and Mark Kyle’s runner-up spot in the advanced.

Although some frustrating hiccups from the usually solid Aoife Clark and Sam Watson levelled the euphoria, a rack of further good results certainly gladdened the heart of team coach Nick Turner and his connections. “The Irish representation is greatly improving,” reflected an upbeat Turner. “Our dressage results are being complimented on and this, in turn, brings confidence. We’ve still got one more important fixture (Tattersalls) to come, but a plan is forming, and we hope to announce the squad for Rio within 10 days of Tattersalls.”

The Badminton performances of Mike Ryan (Ballylynch Adventure) and Camilla Speirs (Portersize Just A Jif) will also have been taken into the mix and while Speirs and Ennis are at the present not included in the official squad, a review will take place at the end of this month.

Both Ryan and Speirs hold entries to compete at Tattersalls, but coming so soon after their Badminton endeavours, their horses will probably only be asked to compete in the dressage phase. “The ground jury will be the same as in Rio,” disclosed Turner. “So it will be a great opportunity for the riders to come before them.”

EVENT RIDERS MASTERS

Always rated as one of the flagship British events, Chatsworth’s prestige was heightened by the staging of the first leg of the innovative Event Riders Masters. This new series, which carries a prize fund of £50,000, runs on an accumulative points system, with the final leg taking place at Blenheim in September. Based on rankings, riders (40 horses) from seven nations were invited to take part, and in a new, crowd pleasing format both the show jumping and the top 20 cross-country starters ran in reverse order. Cementing their Badminton form, French riders dominated the showcase with Nicolas Astier and Piaf de Bneville heading a top three whitewash.

Nine Irish riders went to post including the 2014 title holder Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound. Making their first international appearance since Bramham last June, the pair produced a very competitive opening mark of 42.9 to which they initially added two time faults in the show jumping. With all to play for, Ennis set out across the country in blistering form, stopping the clock in the third fastest time of the day.

The addition of a further 3.2 time penalties proved expensive however, and with scores clustering tightly the pair finally slotted into eighth spot (48.10). “Ultimately it was frustrating, as two penalties cost me third place,” stated the ever competitive Ennis. “But it was so nice to have him back. He’s one in a million. He was like a rocket across the country, and on the flat he has developed two trots - one of them so big I can hardly hold him!”

Just two rungs behind Ennis, Jonty Evans showed his intent with Cooley Rorkes Drift. Strengthening their Olympic claims, the Rio-listed duo posted a super dressage mark of 40.9 and, having show-jumped clear, added just 8.4 penalties for time. This was a very creditable performance from the British-based Evans, as were solid double clears from Austin O’Conner (Balham Houdini 20th) and Joseph Murphy with Gorsehill Pearl (21st). Of the remainder, Padraig McCarthy dropped two rails with Simon Porloe to fill 23rd, Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua (26th) were another pairing out of luck when they lowered three, while Mike Ryan completed in 28th spot with Dunlough Striker.

On the opening day, Aoife Clark and Fernhill Adventure set Irish hearts aflutter when, turning heads on the flat, they filled second spot on a stunning score of 36.6. Unfortunately, the son of Newmarket Venture later rolled a pole in the show jumping, and looking unlike his usual sparky self, came home from the country with a further 20 penalties. Sam Watson, who was the best of the Irish riders at the Blair Europeans last year, had also done a good test (44.2), but luck was not on his side and he later parted company with Horseware Lukeswell.

CIC*** CLASSES

Much to the delight of the home squad, honours in the first of two CIC*** (non Masters) divisions fell to the brand new partnership of Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky. Huw Lloyd’s and Christopher and Sarita Perkins’ son of Jumbo had been a former Nation’s Cup ride under McCarthy’s wife Lucy, before Padraig took over the reins in recent weeks. The duo was always in contention, and after recording the second fastest round of the class, pipped Bill Levett and Alexander NJ. This result was a welcome tonic for the McCarthy/Wiegersma family, who in the past months have suffered the loss of Lucy’s father (Hendrick Wiegersma) as well as long term friend and mentor Caroline Creighton.

While Mr Chunky is not eligible for Irish Olympic consideration due to his British ownership, he could be an exciting prospect for next year’s Europeans. Clustering well, Mark Kyle racked up a smart fifth placing with Jemilla, leaving Patricia Ryan (Tullineasky Hi Ho) next in line in 13th.

The French were also in unstoppable form in the final CIC*** division, but blasting her way through the field, Esib Power posted a notable third placing with Soladoun. Slotting in behind the two Frenchmen, Power and her thoroughbred had gained valuable ground over a hugely influential show jumping track, and again after a storming round in the country.

It was a similar story in the advanced class, when cricket scores in the show jumping became the norm. Despite carrying four penalties, Andrew Nicholson (Teseo) took the podium placing (38.8), closely followed by Ireland’s Mark Kyle (Jesmond Justice) on 39.7. The Leicestershire-based rider had also tipped a pole but a fast round in the country sealed promotion.

Special mention must also go to Ireland’s Meghan Healy who produced one of just three clear rounds to fill ninth spot with Lui D.