THREE is the magic number for Momo Sheehy and TMX Herby as they secured victory in the Johnson & Perrott Motor Group CCI3*-L, their third victory on the trot this season. In second place after dressage, Sheehy and TMX Herby were one of only two combinations who managed to finish on their dressage score in the class to take the win.

The now 13-year-old gelding by Zirocco Blue VDL has been Sheehy’s partner for three years now and together they competed at the Junior Europeans in Montelibretti in 2023.

Sian Coleman and Carrowgar Je T’aime Max (Je T’Aime Flamenco) were hot on their heels in second place. Having been on the same dressage score, Coleman was slightly slower out on the cross-country and picked up 3.2 time penalties on owner/breeder Gina Heaps’ 12-year-old gelding. “He is a cool horse who has had a busy few weeks, he competed at Kelsall Hill International recently and now here,” remarked Coleman.

“He’s only evented one full season so he’s gone up the levels really quickly, I’ve to make sure each time he steps up that he’s fit enough but he is answering all the questions each time he comes out.”

He is another one to be aimed at Millstreet International later in the year.

Tom Strawson (GBR) and The Fieldmaster (Future Trend) were the only other combination to finish on their dressage score and made the trip from the UK a fruitful one when finishing third on 27.5 penalties. This combination have had a good start to the season with double clears at Oasby and Thoresby Park CCI3*-S.

Dressage leader Emily Young Jamieson and Klaas Jan B had two early refusals at fence six and subsequently retired. Another British visitor, Indie Vaughan-Jones, made her trip worthwhile when she finished in fifth place with the Irish Sport Horse All Over at Midnight (ISH by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet) who was previously campaigned by Cathal Daniels. Steven Smith and Strangford (ISH by Luidam) were also well up there after the first phase, but 9.6 time penalties on the cross-country course dropped them to eventual sixth.