Margie McLoone
JOSEPH Murphy returned from international duty at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy to win on two of his five rides, taking the top-graded Connolly’s Red Mills Super League Championship with Westwinds Hercules.
The nine-year-old Ramiro B gelding was lying second after dressage (50.4) and although the bay picked up 3.6 cross-country time penalties, he managed to stay ahead of the Jane Doherty-ridden The Only One whose total of 54.4 included 1.6 for time over the fixed fences.
On her second start at this level, the 14-year-old Amiro M mare Amy B was the only one of the 11 starters to complete on her dressage score, powering around under a confident Emma Jackson to finish third on 58.8. Suzanne Hagan and Phineas Finn surrendered their lead (49.2) after the first phase when stopping at the water wheel.
Up from Kilkenny, Fraser Duffy had a most disappointing day and withdrew his two mounts in this class, Boleybawn Fernhill and Primus, after cross-country. However, he did receive his prize as winner of the SuperLeague with Primus.
Murphy doubled up in the five-runner O/CNC** where he and the 13-year-old Ricardo Z gelding Sportsfied Othello had little trouble in beating the only other finisher Soladoun (Elizabeth Power) by a comfortable margin.
“I thought the two-star track was brilliant and very educational,” enthused Murphy. “This was a great prep run for Westwinds Hercules, who is heading for the CIC*** for eight and nine-year-olds at Blenheim next week. He’ll then go to Boekolo. Othello is in the CIC*** at Ballindenisk, after which he heads to Pau.”
The Alice Kehoe-bred winner, an older full-brother of the Dublin five-year-old winner Westwinds Mackenzie, is owned by Alizon Schmutz and Andrew Tinkler, joint-partners in Sportsfield Othello with Murphy’s wife Jill Andrews.
It was a good day also for cousins Lucy Latta and Elizabeth Power, the former landing the nine-runner CNC** with her mother Yvonne’s DHI Broadway (58.4) in spite of a fence down show jumping and 20.8 cross-country time penalties.
“I was very pleased with my horse,” said the Co Wexford rider. “I didn’t think the track rode all that well and took the long route at fence nine. He may have another run or two before Osberton in early October.”
Lucca Stubington, who was unseated at fence four from her first ride, Kilcannon Coolguy, managed to finish second with Olivers Green (62.8) although taking longer options twice during her round.
Power really enjoyed her winning ride in the open novice on Cornascriebe Kings Master.
The nine-year-old Kings Master gelding has done little since owner Robert O’Callaghan started working in the USA and nothing since landing the under-25 class here last year with Shane Power.
Sharon Reilly led after dressage (28) with Until Proven Guilty and one show jumping time penalty had no effect on their position.
However, the Inocent seven-year-old took a total dislike to the Dane’s Cast at three and was eliminated.
“I love this fellow and really enjoyed riding him here today,” said Power. “He’s for sale and whoever buys him will get themselves a smashing horse as he’s a jumping machine.”