KILDARE’s Zara Nelson rounded off her competitive association with Millridge Buachaill Bui last weekend when finishing seventh, on her dressage score of 48.4 penalties, in the CCI1* at the Aldon International in England.

Winners of the CNCP2* national championship at Tattersalls on their previous start, 16-year-old Nelson and the 12-year-Templebready Fear Bui gelding represented Ireland at the last three European pony eventing championships – in each instance jumping double clears.

Last year, the Orchard Lodge Stud combination won the CCI1* for ponies at Tattersalls and the CIC1* for ponies at Ballindenisk while, in 2015, they were also successful at the Co Cork international and landed the CIC1* for ponies at Weston Park. The ride on Millridge Buachaill Bui now passes to Zara’s younger sister Alex (12) whose eventing career to date has been as a member of the Kildare Pony Club.

Nelson had two other rides at Aldon, finishing 13th in that CCI1* on Knockbordan Revelation (51.3) and, with a very disappointing show jumping round, 46th in the CIC1* on OLS Inish Flaith (93.7), while, with 12.8 cross-country time penalties, her elder sister Shannon was 23rd (of 66) in the CIC2* on Commanchero (63). Also based at Orchard Lodge Stud, Cathal Daniels recorded a double clear to finish 10th in the CCI1* on the mare Blueminx (50.1) who was having her first start at this level.

There was mixed luck at the Somerset event for the River Lodge Equestrian team.

Raf Sanctuary placed 12th in the CCI1* with RLE Carsonstown Lord, whose total of 50.9 included 5.6 cross-country time penalties, but neither Michelle Kenny nor Tracey Walshe managed to complete the event. The latter cracked a rib when Loughnavatta Cedar fell in the CCI1* while Kenny fractured a toe when stood on following a fall in the water in the open intermediate from RLE Laught Bedazzled. Fortunately the pair can recuperate in the sunnier climes of Spain to where the RLE team have decamped for the winter.

Other England-based Irish internationals who competed at Aldon were Alan Nolan, who was 36th in the CIC1* on Conan III (84.9) and 19th in the CICYH1* on Garcon de Lux (70.4), also Padraig McCarthy who finished 16th in the CICYH1* on MGH Tokyo PhiI (64.90) but withdrew Moorland Magic from the CCI1* after dressage.

That long format class went to Britain’s Saffron Cresswell on the seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Quality Rose while, among the many other Irish-bred winners, was the Sam Griffiths-partnered Paulank Brockagh who brought up her second open intermediate success in two outings before heading to this weekend’s four-star Pau.