MEATH’s Sarah Ennis finished second on the podium in the first round of the 2018 Event Rider Masters Series at Chatsworth last weekend with her loyal partner Horseware Stellor Rebound.

In just their second run since the European Championships last August where they finished in seventh place individually, and following up their win in the previous week’s CNC2* at Rosanna, Ennis and the 14-year-old VDL Ricochet gelding lay in 12th place after dressage on a score of 29.1.

A single time penalty in the show jumping ring and two time faults around the cross-country, which was by the far the second fastest round of the day, saw the combination finish of a score of 32.1 and in second place.

Victory went to Britain’s Piggy French and the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse Quarrycrest Echo, who was bred in Co Donegal by John Dooley. A spectacular performance across the country saw them finish within the time, only the sixth person in the history of Chatsworth CCI3* to do so. Their finishing score of 27.3 is the second-best in the history of this class at the venue.

The top 10 were sent out in reserve order around the cross-country, and Ennis got a great buzz from standing top of the podium until the very end.

“I am delighted to be on the podium. Going into the cross-country, I was lying fifth, so I was fifth last to go. You got on the podium as you became the leader so as soon as I was finished I got on the podium and was in the top spot,” Ennis said, adding: “I am delighted with the performance.”

Speaking to The Irish Field this week, she reported Horseware Stellor Rebound, who has had ongoing issues with fragile hooves, to be in great form. “I am just out hacking him now, he has been brilliant. We finished cross-country with his shoes on for the first time ever! That was our fourth time at Chastworth and he has always lost shoes. The ground was very good and that helped him.

“He is going to Luhmuhlen four-star in four weeks time. WEG is our ultimate goal but you have to take it day-by-day with him, but at the moment he is feeling fantastic,” concluded Ennis.