ONCE a regular competitor at the Tattersalls International Horse Trials, Britain’s Matthew Wright made a welcome return to Co Meath last week when he won the Land Rover CCI1* with The Corn Crake.

Before the competitive action started, most disappointingly, and expensively, for their connections British horses Principal Espoir and Karen van d’Abdijhoeve were not accepted at the first horse inspection, while Co Down’s Kilpatrick Lord was withdrawn from the holding box. Representing The Netherlands, Ballyvally Bay was later withdrawn before cross-country.

Five of the first six after dressage rode their tests on Wednesday, the odd-one out being Britain’s Holly Woodhead who, early on Thursday morning, went into the lead on a penalty score of 23.90 with Global H on whom she was second in the CNC1* at Tyrella (4) in April.

Woodhead was first in the rankings with Les Smith of Britain at C and Co Cork’s Joan Ahern at B. However, she was only second with Portugal’s Anibál Marianito (H) who reserved his top marks for Kelly McCarthy Maine and Puissance Skys. In contrast, that combination were 16th with Smith while Ahern had them 25th in her assessment of the 61 starters.

At this stage, Thursday’s winner, Britain’s Tara Clements was in second place with Andy (26.40), while Co Down’s Ella Boyle was best of the Irish in third with Candy 737 (27.70). The first three all had problems across the country on Friday.

Clements and Boyle both picked up 20 jumping penalties when Andy had a glance-off the second element of The Irish Field mound at 14ab (a skinny brush corner), while Candy 737 took an initial dislike to the first of the Dubarry roll top brush fences at 6ab. More painfully for Woodhead, she fractured her collarbone when, having had a stop at the first element of the Horse First coffin at 12abc, she was unseated from Global H at the brush corner second element of 17ab which, after a left-hand turn, followed a drop down into water over a log.

These fences caused most of the problems on the course where there were four retirements and six eliminations.

The Jim Newsam-partnered Burinex was in seventh place at this stage on his dressage score of 30.90 but, sadly, this former Riding Club horse was withdrawn before Saturday’s second horse inspection where, as on day one, two horses were not accepted, while one was withdrawn from the holding box.

Following Burinex’s withdrawal, the mantle of being best placed of the Irish passed to Andrew Turley on Colenomer (31.1) but, unfortunately, that Downpatrick combination had a most disappointing show jumping round and dropped right out of contention.

Tattersalls favourite William Fox Pitt was clear on the smart Atlantic Vital Spark, a new ride for this season, but picked up a very expensive time penalty which saw him finish fifth (31.40) with a delighted Steven Smith completing in fourth on his dressage score (31.20) with the well-named Donogue Big Ronnie. Smith also finished eighth on his first phase score with the mare Michel M (32.80) whose proud owner/breeder Janet Hall was nearly speechless with delight.

Clears were also recorded by three British riders who were next to jump: John Paul Sheffield on Woodlander Wesuvio (29.70), Tom McEwen with Braveheart B (29.20), and Matthew Wright on The Corn Crake (28.90). Unfortunately for the leader on 28.50, China’s Alex Hua Tian, his mount Jilsonne van Bareelhof lowered the Liverpool fence at six resulting in a drop to seventh.

“It’s great to be here,” said Wright, “and having a win on this horse is a real bonus,” he added of the 11-year-old Concetto gelding he was competing in an event for the first time. He is the bay’s fourth rider in the past year. “It was brilliant to have such a strong one-star course and they have done great work with the ground.” Wright was accompanied to Tattersalls by his wife Victoria, children Isabella (six), William (three) and year-old Niamh along with loyal owner Charlotte Cole.

Tom McEwen was also pleased by the performance of the second-placed Braveheart B, a Radolin gelding bred in Co Offaly by Etter Sport Horses. “This is my second season to compete this horse which we got through Vere Phillips,” said McEwen.

“Although he’s eight, he has very little mileage up as he was broken late. Once we were over the first water, I let him stride on. I’d hope he will go two-star by the end of the year.”