THREE Irish riders took on a world class field in the first leg of the valuable British Event Riders Master (ERM) series at Chatsworth last weekend. In an incident-filled class headed by Britain’s Gemma Tattersall, Esib Power (Soladoun) scorched into a top 10 placing, while Sarah Ennis (BLM Diamond Delux) slotted into 14th spot.

Overall honours however fell to Olympian Gemma Tattersall, who recorded not only the first female victory, but also a Chatsworth record completion score. Teaming up with the mare Quicklook V and setting out in pole position across the country, Tattersall stormed around the tricky track to add a further 3.2 penalties to her opening mark of 33.7. Such was her advantage, her score was still good enough to hold off the faster challenge of second-placed Bettina Hoy and Designer 10, as well as French visitor and dressage leader Thomas Carlile. The latter was left playing catch up following a refusal in the show jumping, but shaving seconds at every opportunity, he retained third aboard Upsilon.

This exciting series, which culminates at Blenheim in September, delivered mixed fortunes for the three Irish invaders. Heading the contingent, Esib Power and Soladoun had a storming run to fill ninth place, and notably held the honour as the sole pairing to complete on their opening score in any of the four three-star sections. Although the thoroughbred was a little off the pace after dressage, he produced a brilliant show jumping clear, and after zipping across the country, delivered the fastest time of the class. “I’m delighted with him – although it would have almost handier for me if the time had been even tighter!,” Power remarked.

CLEAR SPIN

Having also enjoyed a clear spin in the country, course and distance specialist Sarah Ennis, recorded a respectable 14th placing with BLM Diamond Delux. The son of Olympic Lux added 6.8 time penalties to a first phase score of 45.8, but with this Grand Prix show jumper, Ennis will have been disappointed to have been hampered further by carrying an extra four faults from the jumping sector.

The hard luck story of the weekend however befell Mark Kyle, who produced a personal best dressage mark of 41.7 with his Olympic ride Jemilla.

The duo followed that sparkling performance, with a clear round in the show jumping, and as a result headed into the cross-country in fourth position. Setting out on what it usually her best phase, Jemilla uncharacteristically ducked out at a downhill corner on the homeward stretch, dislodging the unfortunate Kyle in the progress. Although he landed on his feet, Kyle’s frustration was compounded when it was confirmed that his ankle had suffered a multiple fracture, necessitating an operation and possibly a lengthy recuperation. Aside from the ERM showcase, there were two further international three-star sectors. Aoife Clark piloted her new ride Master Rory into 15th place in the first of the open divisions, while Meghan Healey (Lui D) and Jessica Acheson (Babaloo) also completed albeit both with jumping penalties.

Ankle fracture

THE Irish senior event squad was dealt a double blow at the weekend, when it was learned that Mark Kyle suffered a multiple ankle fracture following a fall at Chatsworth last weekend. At the time of writing, Kyle has undergone an operation, and it is hoped that he will be back in action and in contention for the European championships later in the year.

It was also revealed that Padraig McCarthy will be without his high class ride and team hopeful Bernadette Utopia, who has recently been sold to Japan.