OKAY, he’s 13 years of age and it has been 16 months since his only other outing in an event, but rider Clare Abbott thinks very highly of Helen Bond’s thoroughbred gelding who won Sunday’s EI 100 class, having led from dressage.

By Snurge, damsire of Abbott’s open novice mount Glenkeernan River, Ballycarron Lad won two point-to-points and a chase when trained by former international event rider Stuart Crawford.

Interestingly, when landing his maiden, the strikingly-marked bay was partnered by Mark Beecher, a member of the Waterford show jumping family who now rides as an amateur jump jockey in the United States.

Ballycarron Lad last ran in April 2012 and Abbott credit’s Crawford’s partner Jill Davidson for re-training him for eventing.

“I got the horse in November and, while he has a lot of natural talent and ability, Jill did a brilliant job with him. People find it hard to believe that he’s a thoroughbred.

“He was jumping 1.10m and 1.20m at The Meadows and can go long or collect as needed. He has lots of sparkle and character and was brilliant across the country on Sunday as he is so agile and confident. I’ll move him up to novice for Tyrella next weekend (today).”