Sally Parkyn

MARY Smiddy and Silken Scully compensated for their blip at Ballindenisk the previous week by winning a strong CNCJ* section from the front. Producing the only sub-30 dressage mark (29.3) of the class, they added four penalties from the show jumping, as did second placed Sofie Walshe riding Kinsau.

Smiddy’s sister, Mary delivered one of just five clear rounds, with Carraigh Rua, to fill third place, but only two faulted in the country.

In only their second run in two-star company, James Phillips and Ballyvaden Two For One headed the six runners in the CNCP**. Looking impressive in both jumping phases, the Fethard-based rider finished a distance in front of Kym Jolly (Silverspring Custard) as well as Mimi O’Grady (Rosog Rusty).

Dressage leaders Christopher Dehaene and Clonaltra Acorn were one of three pairs to keep the coloured poles intact, but missed out when clocking up a costly 20 penalties at the rail on the mound at the third.

Making little of his 22 years, the evergreen Prince Zola racked up the 17th win of his long career in the EI100P. Leading from flag fall and adding nothing to his opening score (23.5) he headed Lauren Murtagh (Bruckless Elmar) and Niamh Hayden with Freddie.

Double clears came thick and fast in the EI100 junior equivalent.

Staying in dressage order the red rosette went to Emily McQuade riding Ballymotey Casper (19.5) from Zara Nelson with OLS Inis Flaith, and Isabella Hughes aboard Lyleview On Time. All completed except Arianne Finlay who, having held second place (21.3) heading into the country, was unfortunately eliminated for missing out a fence.

Sarah Ennis rarely leaves Kilmanahan without winning a class and this time she partnered Eimer Creedon’s Shadow Indigo (breeding unknown) to win the EI 100.

Taking up the ride for the first time, because Creedon is at college, Ennis led the 26 runners from the outset. She gained a mark of 25.3, from Jill Spring, and remained ahead of the in-form Felicity Ward riding Gladdis, as well as Ali Holden with Pirates Rock. The top seven all completed on their dressage scores, while just one incurred a penalty in the country.

Eighteen smart four and five-year-olds lined up to contest the young horse sector, and standing out to lead the pack was Paul Donovan’s A Sportsfield Luxury Cruise (by Shannondale Sarco). Bred by Sean O’Neill and making his fourth appearance under rules, the gelding is a half-brother to Oliver Townend’s former three-star horse Cruising By.

Staying largely in dressage order, Camilla Speirs filled second with new ride Aughabeg Dun Boy, from Caroline Lynch and the consistent Lisheenbrone Smoothstepper.

Speirs led the dressage in the open EI 90 but eventually settled for third place when her smart debutante BT Jump The Gun lowered a pole. Benefitting, Crea Warner moved into the top spot with the Kildalton College-bred Kildalton Rare Gem (by Kroongraaf) from George Russell with DSL Tarquin, and Daisy Duggan aboard Caraghs Sarco Boy. All three completed with opening scores intact and, while the show jumping proved fairly influential, the cross-country phase only hampered four.

Closing the day on a high, the Love siblings Timmy and Holly landed a family one/two in the EI90P. Despite tipping a pole, Timmy headed the eight runners with the first-timer Donaghpatrick Joker (35.8), from Holly aboard the clean jumping Rockislands Dara Og (38.5). Also double clear, Brian Kuehnle filled third with Brocca Done Thing (39.00).