CURRENTLY leading the Top Spec CNC1* is Hannah Whittle (Mullbrannon Masterpiece) on 18 points, six points ahead of Caroline Dinning (Rathcarrig Cool Imp) and Joy Lindsay (Lassban-Au-Revoir) sharing second with 12 apiece. In fourth on 11 points is Florence Campbell (Imperial Master).
Zoe Kavanagh (Castlekirk) is leading the Top Spec EI 100 with 14 points, ahead of Caroline McQuillan (Cavalier Bobby Jo) on 11. Caroline O’Leary (Balcarrig) shares third place on 10 points with David Henderson (Kerrob B).
Leading the EI 90 on 13 points is Katrina Clarke (Ballysheil Bryan Boru); second is Kathryn Marshall (Aristocrat) on 12, Louise Lynn (Mr X) and Serena Wallace (Mile Lass) have 10 points apiece and Shane Belton has nine points (The Irish Comedian).
The Top Spec League table is viewable on the Eventing Ireland website (Leagues tab), and the next Top Spec League event takes place at Killossery Lodge today, May 23rd.
FINVOY
In the Top Spec CNC*, Hannah Whittle (Mullbrannon Masterpiece) led from start to finish to stay ahead of second-placed Joy Lindsay (Lassban-Au-Revoir,) who was in turn fractions ahead of Emily Morris (Florida Bud).
Congratulations to ‘newbie’ Conor O’Hare and the pocket rocket Mister Merlin, who finished a creditable sixth on his first outing at novice level in his first season of amateur eventing competition.
Cross-country time penalties proved costly for dressage leader Ashleigh Rea and the stunning Amadeus in the Top Spec EI 100, opening the door for Vicky Dobbin and her lovely young mare Killaughey Belle to take the red ribbon and claim their first win at this comeptition level on a clean sheet.
In a huge class in the Top Spec EI 90, the ‘oldies’ proved their calibre again with the veteran coloured Mixed Up and Judith McCarthy taking home their first red ribbon of the season, holding off the consistent partnership of Kathryn Marshall and the stunning Aristocrat in second.
Special mention goes to Nuala McNally who took a break from pure show jumping to re-join the amateur ranks at Finvoy and take sixth place with her imporessive young grey horse Halleys Hero.
FORT ARTHUR
At Fort Arthur, thanks must go to the organisers who allowed the classes to run without amalgamation. Tara Rocca (Major Deegan) led the three-runner field in the
Top Spec CNC*, coming home the clear winner on her dressage score of 30.5. A few time penalties collected by Jane Morgan (Man of My Dreams) did not affect their claim on second spot after Liz Keegan took a tumble on cross-country from Summer Tricks.
Niamh Marsh took the spoils in the Top Spec EI 100 on MicMacs First with a clean sheet, while Gretta O’Mahony (Mealagh Chaplin) settled for second after faulting in the show jumping and picking up two time penalties on the cross-country.
Ashleigh Hughes, Bernard Cummins and Brigid Neill all vied for the lead in the Top Spec EI 90 at the Kinsale venue. Show jumping penalties lost Ashleigh the lead, opening the door for Cummins (Ballymountain Jimmy D) who couldn’t capitalise on this as they also had eight penalties.
Neill (Skyline Drive) show jumped clear, leaving them at the head of affairs going to the start of the cross country. Neill collected 2.8 time penalties and, although finishing on the same score as Hughes (38.3), dropped to second. This was Hughes’ first win with Castlelack Lancelot Boy this season, having had a second and third place at Kilguilkey and Millstreet. Cummins settled for third on a finishing score of 42.8.
ANNAHARVEY
Emily Sayers and Whats That Sportsfield made a winning start on their first appearance this season in the Top Spec CNC1* at Annaharvey Farm. Starting the day focused and with a warm-up plan designed to contain the spirited enthusiasm of ‘King’, Sayers’s planning paid off when she was awarded a score of 22.
Sayers runs Emily’s Deli, a specialised food shop in Fethard, Co Tipperary, managing to also find time to school and enjoy her magnificent skewbald gelding. Sub-30 scores were also gained by runner-up Hannah Whittle (Mullybrannon Masterpiece) and Caroline Dinning (Rathcarraig Cool Imp) in third, who are regular competitors in the Northern Region. Ann Bowe (Festy Breeze) were the final combination to complete.
Double clear jumping rounds from Zoe Kavanagh (Castlekirk) in the Top Spec EI 100 brought their seasonal tally of wins to three.
“I’m delighted with the horse today particularly finishing on his dressage score,” said Kavanagh. “It’s his third win of the season, which proves how consistent he is, and a lovely horse for an amateur like myself who shows up twice a week and hopes he’ll be honest, careful and competitive.
“It’s a hard brief to fulfil when you’re looking but these kind of horses are worth their weight in gold. As I explain to my husband the horse is my manicure, pedicure, latte andgym all rolled into one - that’s my justification!”
In second place were Amy Parsons and the lovely dun Kippure Catapult, while third place went to Jenny Campbell (Laraghlease King) and the ever-consistent Caroline O’Leary (Balcarrig) took fourth spot.
Repeating their success of a year ago Katrina Clarke and Ballysheil Bryan Boru recorded one of only two double clear jumping rounds to take the spoils in the Top Spec EI 90.
Jumping proved influential, with penalties and eliminations occurring in both phases. Dressage leader Louise Lynn and Mr X took the runner-up spot when dropping a costly pole in the show jumping. Lucy Townsley and Wonderful Every Day were third, completing on their dressage score.
KILMANAHAN
The CNC* Amateur class at Kilmanahan last weekend saw Sharon Power take her second win of the season with Stonehavens Master Class on a score of 27.5.
Runner-up was Melian Griffith (Knockadoon SF Adventure), with James Leahy (Zenith) in third on their first venture out in novice company.
Tamzen Smith landed the EI 100 Amateur first time out at this level with Rhodeshadowfax ahead of Hannah Watson (Kings Fionn) and Sandra Phipps (Glenmore Bilbo) in third.
Going one place better than her last run at Annaharvey was EI 90 Amateur winner Louise Lynn and Mr X, 6.2 penalties ahead of second-placed Sharon Power on Sportsfield Puzzle, with Rosemary Hedigan (Teach Mor Sean) in third.