MILLSTREET has proved a happy hunting ground for New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell, who two years ago clocked up a three and two-star double. Although the British-based rider did not quite emulate that achievement last weekend, he recorded an easy victory in the Eventing Ireland CIC2*. Teaming up with the experienced four-star campaigner Amsterdam 21, Campbell led from the front (36.9) to head a strong field of 54.

This was a good confidence restoring run for the 11-year-old, who had fallen in the water at Hartpury two weeks earlier.

“He’s had some time off and was unlucky in Hartpury, so I was pleased that he has bounced back in such good form,” said the rider. “Millstreet is just a brilliant event. The Duggans really care about all of it, far more than any event in England. I really enjoyed the track, and thought it rode well in a different direction.”

Ballindenisk’s CCI3* is next on the cards for Amsterdam, while the younger London 52, who filled second place under Laura Collett, only embarked on his eventing career last year. Maintaining her position throughout, Collett was delighted with the German-bred eight-year-old who she sourced in Germany just over 12 months ago.

The Landos-sired former show jumper, looks very scopey, and according to his rider is improving all the time.

“He was very green in a similar class at Burgham last month, but was so much better today. He’s just starting to get the hang of the dressage, and I thought that course rode so well, and was very educational.”

PENALTIES

When the third ranked Giovanni Ugolotti (Duke of Champion) picked up 20 penalties in the country, and fifth-placed Kevin McNab added time faults to his overnight score with Brookfield Quality, the double handed Laura Collett was among those to benefit. Riding the smart Irish-bred Cooley Again (by Ramiro B) Collett pulled up to fill third place and was especially pleased with the nine-year-old, who had only run in France the previous week.

“He wasn’t really supposed to come here,” she explained. “But he was over full of himself in Haras du Pin, so I thought he needed to have another run before we go to Blenheim in two weeks’ time.”

Sitting in eighth place amongst a very cosmopolitan line-up were Sarah Ennis and Woodcourt Garrison. Breda Kennedy’s son of Garrison Royale added only time faults to his first phase score, while also impressing in 11th was Michael McNally and the smart six-year-old Eclipto. Opting to take part in this class rather than the young horse one-star showcase, the Co Meath duo look very confident at the level, to complete on their opening score (53.0).

It was also interesting to see the three-star mare Bernadette Utopia in tenth spot under new rider Kazuma Tomoto. Based with William Fox-Pitt in England, the former Padraig McCarthy-ridden mare went well for Tomoto, who declared himself, “very happy to have met her!”