Sally Parkyn
HAVING drawn the short straw in terms of weather on more than one occasion, it was good to see Annaharvey basking in sunshine last weekend. The event drew an entry of over 200 horses and ran over some spiked terrain, which was appreciated by horses and riders.
Out on track, Sam Deverell’s courses had been given their customary tweaking. Making the most of the land available, Deverall had introduced several influential changes, one of which was a new, straighter line through the tricky sunken road. The water complex also had a new look and, while it appeared softened for the two-star class, all elements caused a number of problems for the one-star entry.
The alternative options worked well for those who chose them however, and although the time was tight it was gettable, and in the end the balance of faults was spot on. Great efforts had been made in terms of preparation, and with the ground becoming increasingly firm, riders gave the thumbs up to the spiked routes and ample grass cover.
O/CNC**
There will have been celebrations in Crossgar on Sunday night, as Johnny Steele landed his fourth win in the space of eight days. Enjoying a remarkable purple patch, Steele followed up his Finvoy success the previous day, when piloting Mon Ami Alme to head the feature O/CNC**.
Winners at Lisgarvan last time out, the pair have since stepped up in class and looked just as confident at the higher level. The Templepatrick-based dressage coach Terry Boon came in for praise from Steele, as did his wife and fellow event rider Claire.
The Tattersalls-bound son of Adam (AES), who was watched from the ringside by his enthusiast owner/breeder Fran Rowlatt-McCormick, was handily-placed in fourth spot on the flat, before producing the sole double clear round (36.6).
“Thrilled to bits – it’s a dream come true,” said the delighted owner. “We still have the dam (Mile Lass by Mile Hill) who we hope is safely in foal to Johnny’s other ride and Crossgar resident, Centre Stage.”
Steele was one of the few that took the straight route through the sunken road unscathed and as a result was the only rider to make the time.
Although the combination was straighter than last year, the skinny on exit lived up to its description, and was responsible for four errors, including a costly 20 penalties for the dressage leaders (28.0) Kelley Hutchinson and Ballyduff A-Z.
Closest to the winner but picking up a sprinkling of time faults, Patrick Whelan filled second place with his long time pony club partner Footfall (45.2). The Co Wexford pair has risen up through the rankings together and both were making their second run at the level.
Fresh from her Badminton success, Camilla Speirs was also clear with Rory Costigan’s Loughnavatta Cedar but, opting to take it slower in the country, completed in third place on 45.7.
If betting had been involved the bookies would have taken a hit when Brian Morrison and Milchem JJ racked up their third win on the bounce (26.0) in the O/CNC*. Winners of the O/CNC** at Kilmanahan seven days earlier, and never placed lower than second all season, the duo headed Fraser Duffy aboard the Portuguese import Belmonte Do Cahim (28.3) and dressage leaders Louise Bloomer and Hollybrook Star.
It was tough luck for the latter to tip the final rail in the show jumping, but jumping is the name of the game and Morrison was foot-perfect in all three phases.
“He’s probably one of the best cross-country horses I have ever sat on,” said the Cork-based rider, who after Tattersalls aims to give the gelding a quiet summer. “He needed this run to get his CCI* qualification but he has nothing else to prove and I’m thinking longer term and a move up to three-star next year.”
Camilla Speirs had a busy day at Annaharvey, and posted a good CNC* win with Jo Breheny’s smart six-year-old LBS Lias Jewel. The daughter of Limmerick had filled third spot after dressage, but was promoted following a very influential cross-country test.
Recording one of just eight double clears from a field of thirty, Speirs had a two mark lead over Fraser Duffy, who took again with Fernhill Exchange, as well as Ian Cassells (Ringwood Minim).
The main bogey in the country was the water complex (8 and 9), which accounted for the bulk of those who erred. The sight of the water behind the first element certainly tested courage and among the notable victims was first phase leader Brian Morrison and Parkroe Golden Carrabawn.
The well-placed Sally Corscadden and new recruit WKD California also had a green blip here, while the sunken road put paid to the chances of second-placed Kelley Hutchinson (Cristiano Z).
Recent Kilguilkey CNCJ* victors Emma Kennedy and Nauvoo pulled off another similar victory but in a much easier style.
Recording the sole double clear round from the three runners, she reversed placings with dressage leader Padraig Harrington (Tullabeg Vision) when the coloured gelding glanced off at the pheasant box three from home.
The final trip over the one-star track was tackled by a field of six in the CNCP**. Setting out as leaders (36.3), Kate Lenehan and Quiverhill Remember Me clocked up a costly and unexpected 20 penalties at the mound at three, leaving the Camilla Speirs-trained Megan Telford-Kelly riding the Connemara bred Fond Of A Drop (40.8) to reap the rewards.
Also clear but slower in the country, Sophie Foyle filled second with Carol Gee’s Pinegrove Seoige, and delivering a clean sweep for the native breed Blathnaid Boyd took third on Bandit Of Coilltedubh.