By Sally Parkyn

EVENT riders Christopher Hunt, Jason Higgins and Allan McSweeney collected the first haul of red rosettes at the CSI*** show at Millstreet this week.

Opening the week’s proceedings, the trio headed the three National Eventing Discovery classes, which as usual were extremely well-supported.

First up was Christopher Hunt, who headed a very strong four-year-old class with Pat Meagher’s attractive youngster Royal Luxor. Handily placed in fourth spot on the flat, the gelding went on to record a smart clear round, eventually winning by nearly two marks.

“He will be a super star,” remarked Hunt, who this season is based at Ian Walsh’s yard near Carrick-on-Suir in Co Tipperary.

“He has tremendous ability, but has taken time to grow into himself. The FEHL came a little too early for him, so we gave him a couple of runs in intro classes instead. He found this easy here today, and I was surprised how he took everything in his stride.”

Bred by Meagher at Kedrah House, Royal Luxor is, as his name suggests, by Lux Z out of Diamond Royale (by Cavalier Royale).

Gaining one better jumping mark, but a little off the pace on the flat was Co Wexford producer Adrian (Eddie) Burrell. Riding for Kathy Charlton, Burrell gave Polished Class a copybook ride, comfortably slotting into second place.

Another to have deviated from the traditional FEHL route, Charlton’s gelding by Farney Clover (dam by Aughrim Knight) gained plenty of admirers at the ringside, and, at the time of writing, looks likely to have found a new home in England.

Fellow Co Wexford man Jason Higgins filled third spot with the grey One Plan (by Russel), but was soon to go two better when heading the five-year-old sector with Shannondale Julia.

As jumping marks again swayed the balance Michael Meade’s mare impressed to gain the highest combined mark over the coloured and natural obstacles.

“I’ve been doing a bit of show jumping with her over the summer and it’s really brought her on,” said Higgins. “I thought this was a lovely track here today – it really flowed and the fences came up well.”

Well-related, Shannondale Julia (by Shanondale Sarco) is out of Shannondale High Flyer (by High Roller) and is a full-brother to Shannondale George, who was campaigned last year by Esib Power.

Marks clustered closely in this group, with Richie O’Hara next in line on Kilbunny Now or Never (by Desir du Chateau) from Chris Hunt again with the Norwegian-owned IPW Zebo (by Ghareeb).

SCRUTINY

In what is by now a proven format, horses in the age classes were awarded marks on the flat, before coming under the scrutiny of former Olympic show jumper Roland Fernyhough, and cross-country assessors Kate Jarvey and Arthur Comyn.

All judges gave the thumbs up to the concept, with Kate Jarvey commenting: “We have seen some really nice horses today. It has been interesting – the course really found them out if they are on their forehand, and this became increasingly obvious over the cross-country phase.”

Fellow event horse owner Arthur Comyn concurred, before adding: “I would have just liked to have seen them stretch out between fences 15 and 16. There was plenty of room and it would have been nice to see a little more gallop.”

In a change of timetable this year, the classes took place on Tuesday which, although it eased the logistical pressure, perhaps lacked the atmosphere of previous years.

The speed derby for the older horses was notably lack-lustre without the vocal support of the show jumping contingent, but nevertheless produced a worthy winner in Allan McSweeney.

The Bandon man jumped the sole clear round aboard the experienced Rock A Bye Balladeer, ahead of Rebecca Dunlea and Cashelane Captain.

It was good to see British Olympic bronze medallist Sharon Hunt taking time out to run several horses in these classes, which she understatedly described as being “a little more challenging than in England!”