AS usual, Balmoral Show hosted a Clifden high performance qualifier which, last Thursday week, was won comfortably by the well-known, highly successful Co Tipperary combination of Evie Kennedy and her mother Maeve’s Little Dromin Phoenix.

Kennedy and the 17-year-old Lettermuckoo Lad gelding, who was bred in Co Limerick by Vera Griffin out of the Dolan Mick mare Ballindoon Dolan Sparrow, topped the combined scores of Marie Claire Nimmo and Barbara McGrath on 87 points, having edged clear of their rivals when holding on to their full 50 points in the jumping phase.

Riding for her mother Oorla, Co Limerick’s Sophie Cusack finished second on the 10-year-old Caherlistrane Bay gelding Clareville Codiac (80.5). Also qualifying in third and fourth were Andrea Finnegan with her own 12-year-old I Love You Melody mare Matilda’s Melody (79.5) and Amelia Durkan riding Dargle Equine’s seven-year-old Robe Earl gelding Trapper Lad (74.5). Ten of the 13 entries started.