Hosted by the Louth and Oriel Branches, whose supporters displayed great teamwork in having the event run to time – the Under 12s’ cross-country phase finished before 6pm – the event attracted competitors from as far away as Donegal, Galway and Carlow.

An addition to the busy eventing programme was a combined training competition for under-10s which was very well received. There were 13 starters who rode the pre-novice test before tackling a course of 50cms fences. All went home with a completion rosette at least, the honours going to Monaghan’s Caoimhe Treanor and Starry. 

No matter what the weather, the going is invariably good at Tom and Carol MacGuinness’s Co Louth home and the organisers were delighted to receive so many favourable comments regarding the event. There were a few fallers, but no injuries were recorded, and, while the water fence required focused riding, it didn’t cause as many problems as usual.

Emma Comerford and the nine-year-old skewbald mare Colour Me Fancy doubled up on their Annaharvey win in the open where there were just three starters, the Kildare combination adding four show jumping penalties to their dressage score of 34.8.

Despite lowering one of the coloured poles, the Ward Union’s Katie Byrne won section B of the intermediate having scored a very impressive 20.8 in dressage with Drumcollogher Coole. Byrne and the eight-year-old Kahtan gelding were second in their most recent Eventing Ireland outings at junior C level in Killossery Lodge (1) and Kilmanahan.

Representing the Meath Branch, Timmy Love also led from start to finish to land the Section A with his EI one-star partner Cloughreagh Charlie, a six-year-old bay gelding by the well-known Connemara stallion Westside Mirah. Love completed on his flat work score of 27.2 just ahead of clubmate Kate Gibney and her new ride, Four Good News (28.8).

debut

In spite of four show jumping penalties, Gibney went on to win the novice intermediate class by a 10-point margin with Cloonelara Summertime who had made her debut at Annaharvey seven days earlier. The six-year-old mare by Templebready Fear Bui was bred by the rider’s mother Becky out of the unraced thoroughbred mare Fearnwood Lodge.

Also from the Meaths, Tess Meade narrowly claimed Section A of the Juniors on her winning dressage score of 24.6 with the veteran bay gelding Barneys Choice.

It was the Kildares who proved strongest at this level however, with the other two sections going their way. First up, Sophie Foyle led throughout to win Section B on 32.1 with the six-year-old dun gelding Prince Robin on whom she has been placed three times in EI Pony C classes this year.

In section C, Ava Banahan and the 19-year-old Grade A gelding Ballingreine Boy were left in front to complete n their flatwork mark of 35.8 when the early leaders all fell by the wayside.

The Meaths bounced back to win both Under 12 classes, although in Section A, Nadine Dunne (Kells Tatoo) had to share the honours with Charlie Kennedy (Lisdachon Lad) of the South Westmeath Branch as both completed on their dressage scores of 31.5.

Not to be outdone by her brother Timmy, Holly Love won section B on her first phase score of 27 penalties with Dryffe Wandering Minstrel.

Elaine Lait was the organiser for Sunday’s event and will fill the same role for the Area 7 qualifier which takes place at Tattersalls next Sunday, July 6th.