BUILDING on an already notable season and leading from flag fall, the consistent Brian Morrison landed the first division of the Gallivan Murphy Hooper Dolan CIC1*.
Riding the smart seven-year-old Cassero 3, Morrison impressed the Ground Jury to pick up a good score of 26.40 and, despite adding a single time fault in the show jumping, he was never headed.
“We were awarded a few nines in the dressage which was nice,” the Clyda-based rider remarked.
He bought his winning gelding from Ben Leweur in Germany last year and thinks highly of this seven-year-old who, under his previous rider, had won the CICYH1* in Strzegom. “I don’t want to rush him as he’s a big horse, but we may move up to intermediate before the end of the season.”
Chasing the Cork man throughout but unable to make any impression was Britian’s Camilla Read and Cloobarry Flare (27.9) The sixteen-year-old Wiltshire rider was not only competing in her first international event but also her first event abroad.
A more recognisable name to Irish event aficionados is the young rider team horse Olympic Cool, who was formerly ridden by Kerri Lyons. Now well established under his new jockey Tara Clements, the gelding jumped a good clear round to move up the order and complete in third. Clements who rides for Hong Kong, is based in the UK with JP Sheffield, and sourced the Olympic Lux sired schoolmaster through the friend of a friend.
Aside from Morrison, Irish riders were just out of the reckoning, with the best of the remainder being Michael Ryan (TR Kaygraff) in 10th and Lucy McIlroy with Major Black (11th). The former was well placed in third spot overnight (30.3), but choosing to take his time in the country added a costly 9.2 time penalties to this good opening score.
The cross-country had very little influence on the leaders. Three runners accrued isolated penalties, while just one failed to complete.
SECTION B
With an Irish one/two in the second sector of the Gallivan Murphy Hooper Doan CIC1*, there were big celebrations at the ringside, especially in the camp of top producer Steven Smith.
Riding Hill Patrol for long-time owner Gina Johnston, Smith completed on his opening score (30.5) to deliver one of only five double clear rounds. “I’m well pleased with him. Gina bred him herself out of a very good event mare Sheepcote Solitude who once scored three 10s at Blarney. He’s taken time as he’s a big horse, and while we are in no hurry, we might move him up a level soon,”
Smith said afterwards. Interestingly bred by the Spirit House (TB), the dam was by Son of Charm, a former top dressage sire in England.
Maintaining her overnight position and less than a mark in arrears, fellow northern region rider Jessica McIntyre held on to the runner-up spot with the 14-year-old Sergeant Kiki (30.80).
Fethard-based Paul Donovan was also involved in the sale of the third placed horse, Summerbridge Boots ridden by the Italian international Alberto (Albie) Giugni. A former show jumper when ridden here in Ireland by Ita McDermott, the Z Wellie-sired gelding took up his eventing career two years ago. He has been let down by his show jumping in recent runs but was foot perfect at Millstreet and completed on his dressage mark of 30.9.
It was a good class for Irish riders as, clustering well in the top 10, young riders Robyn McCluskey (Rum Jumbie) and Correna Bowe (Cooley Blue Flame) filled fourth and fifth placings respectively.
Both completed on their dressage scores, while another to turn heads was Lucy Latta, who completed in seventh spot with RCA Patron Saint.