Rachel Dowley

LESS than a month after the birth of her daughter Abi, Sandra Blake Farrell was given further reason to celebrate at Dressage Ireland’s winter finals last weekend when she watched three of her former rides achieve top-five championship placings.

Roisin Winters piloted Chocolat into fifth place in the novice category one championship, before reigning junior Silver Spurs champion Kevin Acres followed a third place in the medium championship with a win in the advanced medium equivalent.

Acres achieved the latter result on Sandra’s Grand Prix horse and former national winter reserve champion Saint Emillion, despite having only competed him twice in the run-up to the championships.

“I can’t believe I’ve gone straight from prelim to advanced medium champion,” was his shocked reaction. “I’d like to say a huge thank you to my trainer Sandra for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”

ABSOLUTE PLEASURE

Blake Farrell used her Facebook account to pay tribute to the rider after Sunday’s prizegiving, writing: “It was an absolute pleasure to watch Kevin compete both my horses over the weekend. Even though he is new to these levels, he couldn’t have done a better job, and I couldn’t be happier for him and his achievements!”

Acres is now looking forward to competing both Saint Emillion and his medium ride Biala Perla at the Hickstead Masters in June.

Turn to page A67 for a full report from the Dressage Ireland Winter Finals at Cavan