THE youth classes in general at Hillcrest were poorly supported, perhaps because of the twin draws of state exams and pony club fixtures, and there were no entrants at EI110(P) level. Only three combinations completed the EI100(P), and the best of these were Sarah Petit and the Connemara Ballyerk Black Beauty, who jumped double clear to finish on their dressage score of 35. There were just three starters in the EI110(J), with Tadgh O’Haire accounting for two of them, and he duly topped the leaderboard riding the 16-year-old Westphalian gelding Christopher Robin 2.

Maya Byrne and the traditionally-bred Tranquil Master (by Kings Master) took their second win of the season in the EI100(J), adding nothing to their dressage score of 30.8. Little separated the top three here, all of whom incurred no penalties in the jumping phases, and Beth Coveney finished second with Ballinrobe (32.5), while Sofia Ball and Cut Class Diamond were third (34.3). Laura Coonan recorded her second win in succession with Melview Another Clover in the EI90(P) on her dressage score of 35.5, well ahead of second-placed Maria Fleming Hand and Anbally Silver Grey (39.3).