THE penultimate garden eventing competition of the spring/summer season took place at Lusk EC last weekend, where the action kicked off shortly after 10am and continued until well into the afternoon at Jenny and Harold Lusk’s base.

With 20 fences in the arena, the latter seven being timed and a further 18 efforts on the cross-country course, there was a lot to test the athletes as they took on the 70cms class.

Ten combinations completed on a zero score and the fastest of these was Megan Nelson and Flash, who stopped the clock in 35.64. Second place went to long-time leader Cerys Howell on Twyford Captain Morgan they broke the beam in 36.74. There was a tie for third place as Amanda Dempsey and Archie and Ella Kinkaid and Houdini both stopped the clock in 40.21.

In the 90cms class there were only two combinations who completed on a zero score, the fastest of these which was Rory Lavery on Drissa (42.57). Second place went to Trevor Smith and French (47.79). Lavery had been the ride judge at the recent pre-Balmoral show and it was noted that the experience he gained from riding so many that day must have contributed to his win. Amanda Speers and Lisbane Flame finished in third, having jumped a lovely clear round but they just picked up one time fault, finishing ahead of Johnathan McVeigh and May West who picked up two time faults.

The final garden event will be held on June 7th, with entries closing on the preceding Thursday. Meanwhile the Mother Bee–sponsored Thursday show jumping league continues until June 25th.