CROSSGAR’s Rachel Rendle, who competes for The Netherlands, recorded her first international success – and just the fifth of her eventing career – when landing the Horse Sport Ireland CCI2*-L at Millstreet last weekend on Ballyvally Bay who she owns in partnership with her mother, Lisette Kroes.

The ground jury for this 30-runner class comprised New Zealand’s Andrew Bennie (C) plus Ireland’s Vanda Stewart (M) and David Lee (E) who had Rendle and the 12-year-old Cyrano mare sharing the lead on 26.2 penalties with New Zealand’s James Avery riding Dallas 13, ahead of five others under the 30-penalty mark.

There were very few problems on Saturday’s cross-country track but Avery dropped out of contention when Dallas 13 had to be re-presented to the Connolly’s Red Mills Lime Kiln (13). There was further change at the top as Rendle and Ballyvally Bay, whose three previous outings this season had been at Tyrella in April, picked up 5.6 time penalties. This left them in eighth place as Elizabeth Power went into the lead on Caltra Western Dream (27.2) with fellow Co Meath competitor Michael McNally in second with the former racehorse Clonakilty Bay (29.6).

Clear show jumping rounds were at a premium on Sunday. One moved Co Down’s Tom Rowlatt McCormick up from 12 to sixth with Mon Ami Alme (36.7) while another resulted in Co Kilkenny-based British rider Nicky Roncoroni climbing six places to fourth on Sixmilewater (33.9). Of those inside the top 10 overnight, Rendle produced the first clear round to put pressure on those ahead of her but not Power who, it was announced around this time, had withdrawn the leading Caltra Western Dream before this phase.

As the poles fell for others, Rendle and Ballyvay Bay kept climbing the leaderboard on their three-phase total of 31.8 and finally were left in front when McNally, who was bidding for a weekend double, had the second last fence down with Clonakilty Bay for a completion score of 33.5.

“I was absolutely delighted with the win and it was great that my mother, who did Pony Club riding in The Netherlands, was there for the event,” said Rendle who works with KPCM Sport Horses and does freelance coaching.

“We bought Ballyvally Bay locally as a seven-year-old from her breeder, Louise Doyle, who had done some show jumping and eventing with her; she is a very good show jumper.

“I often go over to Jonny Steele when I need a bit of help and I travelled down with him and he walked the cross-country with me in detail,” continued the 23-year-old.

“My mare is very bold in this phase, sometimes too bold, and it’s hard to take the handbrake off safely. I would also like to thank Terry Boon – not just for coaching me in flat work but also in the whole aspect of riding the mare. Our next target might be the three-star-short at Kilguilkey.”