THE PROVERBIAL lightning did strike twice for Kildalton College’s equine co-ordinator Rosemary Gaffney as, seven years after she suffered multiple fractures to her left leg and knee in a fall, she broke her right leg in over 20 places. However, just a year after her most recent accident, the international para dressage rider managed to return to her winning ways in Spruce Lodge last Saturday.

Riding her veteran partner Aldham Mill Dubloon, Gaffney rode as a Grade III competitor for the first time and won the team test with a score of 73.29%. She went on to contest the able-bodied medium class, which she also won with a massive 75.17%.

Speaking afterwards, Gaffney said: “I’m delighted to be back, and I had a great welcome from everyone in Spruce Lodge. I’m grateful to Sue Smallman for keeping Digby in work during my recovery, and also to my private trainer Lesley Russell from Russell Fitness in Portlaw for helping me return to fitness. These wonderful scores have given me confidence in my preparations for this year’s European Championships.”

Fellow para riders Helen Kearney and Kate Kerr Horan also enjoyed a good show at Spruce Lodge, winning their classes on scores of over 70%. Kearney’s partnership with her new ride Rock And Roll is in its infancy, but promises a bright future.

Elaine Potter made her long journey north from Cork worthwhile by winning the Prix St Georges. Riding Winnes Hit II, she was awarded 67.89% by judge Marion Greene. Pony riders capitalised on squad training with their team manager Anne Marie Dunphy in the run up to Spruce Lodge and three of them took the opportunity to ride through the pony FEI tests ahead of CDIP Addington in March. Sofie Walshe took the top honours in both the team and individual tests on board Loughfadda Horseleap Bruno, while Emily Kate Robinson was twice runner up with Tzira Hill.

Anne Marie Dunphy took a break from her training duties to earn 70.16% with Her Highness Willow in Advanced 100, which was enough to make the mare’s debut at this level a winning one.

Another of Dunphy’s students, Rachel Dowley, won Advanced Medium 96 on board Mickey Purcell’s Cadens, while Ruth Chadwick took the top honours in Advanced Medium 85 with Barbara O’Doherty’s Ladino XV.

At the lower levels, Liam van der Veen enjoyed two wins at prelim, while Ellie Gloster and Laura Dennehy took a novice a piece.

Amanda Goldsbury earned the highest score of the day, 76.9%, with VSH Eddy in Elementary 43, relegating Luke Drea and Flashy Girl to second place. However, Drea then moved up to win Elementary 53 on 69.26%.