Margie McLoone

THE Glendinning family hosted Saturday’s Northern Region one-day event at Ballyvannon where the weather belied the forecasters with just one heavy shower falling on an otherwise perfect day.

Newcomers to this part of the world are always amazed at the size of Lough Neagh, which is quite close to the Co Antrim venue. Surprisingly, none of the Glendenings are interested in water sports but there is a yacht on the pre-novice cross-country track which caused a few problems on Saturday.

Ironically, one of those caught out by the ‘Sarah Louise’ was sailing enthusiast Sarah Ennis when Westwinds Navigator, lying second at the time on his Eventing Ireland debut, just glanced off the bow in the EI100. In the EI100J, Robyn McCluskey went overboard here from her new ride, Rum Jumbie, who was leading after dressage.

The fence which caused the most problems at this level was the Devil’s Dyke at 18 where just the B and C elements were jumped. Some horses/ponies took advantage of being slowed down to get around A to put in a stop.

Twenty jumping penalties were picked up by several combinations at the Little House On Hill (three), the Roadworks AB (five) and the Bitch Of A Ditch (seven), where there was a black-flag option, on the EI90 track.

The majority of those who ran over the Courses for Horses’ one-star track were clear, many getting home inside the time in spite of the tight twists and turns.

Big Adventure (Ron Schaefer) was eliminated at the second of the Eddy & Neddy brush-topped skinnies at five in the CNC*. Having said she did nothing but sleep on her recent holiday, Ella Boyle got a wake-up call when the well-placed Killadeas ducked out at the same fence in the CNCJ* class where the Arianne Finlay-ridden Eluna fell coming out of the Water (18). In the CNCP**, there was a parting of the ways between Lucy Johnston and Tynan Mist at the Oak Corner (16).

Emma Jackson marked her first appearance on the national eventing scene this year with victory in the O/CNC* with Amy B, the combination completing on their joint-winning dressage score of 27.5 penalties. The rider, who had been jumping at The Meadows during the week, also finished fourth with the stallion Creevagh For Sure whose total of 35.8 included 2.8 cross-country time penalties.

A fence down show jumping saw Colin Halliday and Danceing Fox (34.5) drop below Trevor Smith and the mare Baby Roller, who finished on their dressage score of 32.5 for second. Heading for Millstreet this weekend, Neil Morrison withdrew Black Ice before cross-county but not before the joint leader after the flatwork phase had a fence down in the undulating show jumping ring.

“It’s good to be back!” said Jackson, who had three other rides on Saturday.

“I’ve no real plans for the older horses but they’ll be out again in another couple of weeks. They were never going to Millstreet as I’m jumping at Cavan next weekend. If I can, I’d like to get the younger horses to Ballindenisk for the Horse Sport Ireland classes.”