KATIE Riley finished second in the Kubota CCIJ1* competition 12 months ago on Versace Biscuit but the Newtownards combination were never headed last week as they completed on their winning dressage score of 25.20 penalties.

Disappointingly, one of James Phillips’s two rides, Wonderful Every Day, wasn’t accepted at the first horse inspection after which the order for Thursday’s dressage phase saw Northern Region members sitting exams listed among those in the afternoon’s final group.

The leader following the morning’s session was last-to-go, Kate Lenihan with Rockmills (28.10), but she was overtaken by Lucy McIlroy who was the final rider in the first group after lunch with Major Black (27.20). Riley was third into the arena following the tea break when she set her winning score on Versace Biscuit. Second-last to compete, Robyn McCluskey’s score of 28 with Rum Jumbie saw three NR members top the leaderboard at the end of the day.

And there they remained late on Friday morning as the trio completed the cross-country phase clear and within the time as did 16 others. Sadly, having been unseated from Rockmills at the second element of the Horse First coffin, Lenihan was one of seven riders eliminated across the country, while Emily McQuade retired Ballymotey Casper at the second element of the Horse Sport Ireland water (17ab).

All 23 who remained in the competition at this stage were accepted at the following morning’s second horse inspection after which, apart from Zara Nelson who was clear with OLS Pixie Hollow, those who were early to compete in the show jumping phase gave the arena party work to do.

Even among the top 10, only half left the coloured poles intact.

Fourth overnight, Romy McCarthy had luck on her side through the concluding treble with Miracle and improved a place when Robyn McCluskey and Rum Jumbie lowered the Horse First vertical at two which dropped them to fifth. Fortune also smiled on Lucy McIlroy who was clear with Major Black but Katie Riley proved up to the pressure and she too completed on her dressage score with Versace Biscuit to win with two points in hand.

This victory for Sarah Riley’s 14-year-old Templebready Fear Bui gelding, completed an excellent few weeks for his unraced dam, Olga Poloski.

That 1996 Moscow Society mare is dam also of the Grange Finnian Sparrow full-brothers Grange Ash Sparrow (who won the five-year-old young event horse championship at Balmoral Show last month) and the year older Grange Red Sparrow (who won an EI100 Amateur class at Rosanna (2) and was third on his one-star debut at Killossery Lodge Stud who weeks ago. This pair were ridden by Orla Cassidy, previous rider of Versace Biscuit.

Riley, who was due to sit her A Levels during this past week ahead of studying veterinary medicine at Cambridge, very much hopes to be selected for the Irish team at next month’s European junior championships in Fontainebleau. “I competed as an individual at Millstreet last year so it would be great to make the team this time around,” said the 17-year-old who has no time for other sports. “However, I do dance which I thinks helps with my general fitness and balance.”

With time on her side, 15-year McIlroy was delighted with her second-place finish on Major Black who is owned by her mother Angela. Also on hand to support the rider, who was among those taking exams, was her father Mark, who is huntsman with the Newry Harriers, and Amelia Comiskey who bred Major Black and stands his sire, Imperial Hights, in Co Monaghan. McIlroy trains every Thursday with Trevor and Steven Smith.

Also well-pleased with her performance at Tattersalls was Romy McCarthy who only started competing Miracle in February. “It was a bit of a push getting qualified but this makes it all worthwhile,” said the 17-year-old who also hopes to be selected for the European team.

It was disappointing, but understandable, that there was just one British challenger in the Junior field as their European trial took place at Brand Hall where the British national pony championships also took place over the weekend.