AT her last championships as chef d’equipe to the Young Riders team, Sally Corscadden had a most frustrating end to her tenure.

“We had a great run of medals when Cathal, Susie and Harold (Megahey) were the backbone of the squad through Juniors and Young Riders but we are now having to progress new riders and horse power and whoever takes over is going to have to build up the squad again.

“Losing Tessa (Harley) and Catsky before cross-country was most unfortunate and then Nessa (Briody) and Tom Boy had a fright early on and the horse just jammed on in the water coming home.

“However, there were good performances from Daragh (Byrne, 15th on Peruising) and Gavin (Smiddy, 25th on Carraigh Rua) and they can be very pleased with themselves.

“Unfortunately, it all comes down to the dressage these days. We took all the Young Riders who were fit to go but we don’t have the quality of horse. I had great help in my assistant Julia Watson, dressage coaches Heike Holstein and Gerald Bloomer and Mark Kyle for show jumping and the team pulled-up well after cross-country.

“Millstreet is a fantastic venue and everything laid on for the horses and athletes was as good as any other championships I’ve been to. The new surface in the arena was brilliant for both dressage and show jumping and riders got a great sense of occasion going up the chute into it. The cross-country fences were beautifully built and presented with super attention to detail.

“Four waters was quite a lot and, after all the rain, there was a lot of water in them which could have caused more drag than riders anticipated.”

Latest update on Berry’s Morswood

SUSIE Berry, who missed much of the early season through injury herself, was back at her England base in Piggy French’ yard on Monday and later in the week gave us this update on Morswood’s condition.

“The vet came to see him on Tuesday and confirmed, as we had thought, that he had strained a muscle in his groin. Thankfully, it’s not a serious injury and he’ll be back running very soon. We haven’t made any plans really but we are talking about doing a CIC3* with him this year.

“I have five others to event including my own mare Carsonstown Athena who I am planning to take to Blenheim for the ERM class and then on to Boekelo for the CCI3*. I’m 21 this year meaning I’m out of Young Riders but I have a few exciting horses which will hopefully help me make the jump to seniors.”

Susie also had word of her groom Alice who suffered a badly lacerated knee when she fell over and Morswood came down on her with his studs after the cross-country.

“Alice is mending but it is going to take a bit longer to fix her than Morswood! She’s still on crutches but is hoping to get her stitches out next week.”