Leading from flag fall, last year’s Ballindenisk CCI** victors remained clear of both Kim O’Gorman on the mare Six Hills Sapphire and Clare Abbot with Oakley. Like the majority of Watson’s horses, the traditionally-bred winner is by Puissance out of Skies of Blue (by Horos) who has also bred Louise Bloomer’s advanced horse, Hollybrook Sky High, and the younger Imperial Skies.

In the first of two CNC* divisions, Aidan Keogh confirmed his belief in the promising King Tredstep when they produced one of only four double clear rounds. The Kings Master gelding completed on a score of 32.0, just ahead of Ian Walsh with Dan Foley’s distinctive appaloosa gelding, Indian, and Esib Power with Kodaline.

Clare Abbott’s long drive home to the north would have been shortened by the winning glow she had after a good result in the ‘B’ sector aboard her own mare Timpany Night. In second spot after dressage, she recorded two foot-perfect jumping rounds, to head Rodney O’Donnell and the clean-jumping Mister Higgins, and Pierre Samual riding Model Witness.

Sourced locally as a four-year-old, Timpany Night (by Nigrasine) was originally bred as a show horse. Turning to eventing, she won the Horseware four/five-year-old pre-novice championships in 2011 and a CNC*U25 class at Kilmanahan the same year. An upgrade to two-star level is now on the cards.

The remaining classes to run over the one-star track were the CNCJ* and an important CNCP**. In the former, 2013 squad member Cathal Daniels and the Ricardo Z-sired mare Rioghan Rua headed the group (35.5), while Romy Ronan and Really Rich also looked impressive to fill second on 37.0.

With the pony European championships on home soil this year, 12 squad team places are up for grabs. This resulted in a keenly-contested CNCP** in which the outcome was eventually decided by experience. Leading from pillar to post, 2013 team members Patrick Dennehy and Rose Down headed the field of 23, from Fionn Clarke aboard the nine-year-old Black Velvet Band.

While it came as no surprise to note Dennehy jump two faultless jumping rounds, it was more unusual see him lead the opening phase.

“I think it’s the first time she has ever led the dressage,” remarked Dennehy of the triple European championship campaigner. “Her work at home has improved and she settled in her job today.”

A fourth team appearance is the obvious aim for them this year, while the more immediate targets are the Ballindenisk international in two weeks’ time and Tattersalls.