Sally Parkyn

ATTRACTING not only the biggest entry of the season, but also in the long history of the event, Grove hosted around 320 runners last weekend.

This mammoth exercise was facilitated by an efficient committee, as well as the spacious area of the venue itself. Blessed by parkland acres, the cross-country kicked off at 11am, long before the dressage and the show jumping had been completed. Everyone connected pulled their weight to ensure the smooth running of the fixture, none more so than Clare Ryan, who single-handedly kept the cross-country commentary going for the entire eight hours of competition.

The Alan and Paul Brady-designed new route, which was unveiled 12 months ago, once again proved successful. Riders relished the galloping uphill start and also the forward riding, attacking track.

Among the new features was a major change at the water. This year, the profile of the fence was altered, with built up land on the approaches proving to work a treat. The presentation of the fences and the rain-assisted good going, was another highlight, leading organiser Rosemary Ponsonby to comment: “We owe a big thank you to so many people, but especially to our hardworking committee chairman Sean Brett, to our course builder Peter Ponsonby, and to Graham Boyd who worked alongside him. Graham did the building here about eight years ago, so it was good to have him back on board, and assisted by our farm team of John Sheehan and John Smith.”

As an added bonus, top British dressage judge Judy Bradwell accepted an invitation to adjudicate the O/CNC** as well as the two combined training classes. This was a great coup and a boost to riders, especially with the international fixtures at Kilguilkey and Camphire to come.

As one of the few events in Ireland required to ballot, Ponsonby added: “It was a record entry for us and sad we had to ballot. However, as a special concession, we allowed those that were not able to compete the opportunity to attend a supervised schooling session the following day.”

Connolly’s Red Mills O/CNC**

It has been a mixed few weeks for Joseph Murphy’s team but, following a disappointing Tattersalls and an excellent run in Luhmuhlen, the Down-based rider dominated the action in O/CNC**.

Launching an initial three pronged attack, Murphy held the top three placings after the first two phases, finally settling for a one-two finish with Westwinds Hercules and HL Mrs Imp. The Olympian was especially pleased with the winner, who at Tattersalls had incurred his first cross-country error in his three years under Murphy and only the third in his entire career.

“I’m very happy with Hercules after Tattersalls,” he remarked. “We never had any great aspirations going into Tatts as he doesn’t like the firm going, but we are now able to draw a line under it and are really excited about the season ahead.”

Reflecting on the day, he added: “There has been a great vibe from all the riders.The turnaround in the track now makes use of all the lovely parkland, and now offers a great preparation for the internationals ahead – and on perfect ground.”

As at Kedrah the previous week, the time allowed in the one and two-star classes was tight. By adding just 3.2 to his opening score (36.6) the winner was easily the fastest in the class, a feat due largely to the economical routes negotiated.

Reversing their initial placings, HL Mrs Imp slipped to second spot after lowering a pole (43.0), leaving Katie O’Sullivan to fill third (Cooley Blue Flame) on 44.5. While the show jumping jostled some placings, another smart double clear was posted by Ciaran Glynn, who piloted his dressage leader November Night into fourth. Of the remainder, just two picked up errors.

In second spot on the flat, Sophie Richard and SRS Adventure glanced off at the brush in the water (7b), while Sarah Wardell walked home after clocking up three refusals with Knockeven Harry.

A further glut of time penalties were racked up in the Fernhill Sport Horses and Sportsfield Event Horses CNC** in which 28 horses went to post.

Once again the clock influenced the placings, but always in contention was the aptly named Centre Stage.

Ridden as usual by Johnny Steele, John Reid’s stallion produced a smart dressage mark of 35.7 and, speedy in the country, added just 3.2 for time.

Sourced from the Renkum Stud, solely to make a performance stallion, the son of Renkum Off-Centre certainly covered the ground.

“He’s top class for a warmblood,” said the rider. “He really gallops and doesn’t empty.”

Even quicker and clocking up the fastest time two weeks in succession, Patrick Byrne filled second place with Anne Kavanagh’s smart homebred Ballyorney Taipe Rouge (42.2), from Michael Ryan with Thomas Kibbe’s Top Billing (49.6). The two-star horses devoured the galloping track and all but two were clear.

One who did make the time in the Rangemaster O/CNC* was the versatile Kilpatrick Lord, ridden as usual by Lesley Webb.

Landing his first victory for two years, the former RDS working hunter champion zipped round the track, to reverse placings with dressage leader Toby Purce (Stan From Meelin) and Louise Bloomer with Cavamiro. All seven completed without incident.