FRESH from his impressive Badminton debut last weekend, Ian Cassells maintained his sparkling run of form to land the first of two EI110 classes at Ballindenisk last Wednesday. Fellow international Steven Smith meanwhile made the long journey from the north to claim the second sector and, like Cassells, was one of a number of professionals and underage riders chasing their overdue MER qualifications.

As a result, all much appreciated the staging of this midweek fixture, as well as the big efforts that Peter Fell and his team had put into preparing the ground.

Reality

“It’s back to reality!,” said Cassells, but this appeared no hardship, as he cruised into pole position with new season ride Rutland Flamenco. The pair opened with what proved to be an unbeatable dressage mark of 25.8 and, adding nothing further, they completed two marks ahead of Robbie Kearns aboard the seven-year-old Belline Thistle Bethelasttime.

Only a six-year-old, the winning daughter of Casallco was originally campaigned by Duncan McFadyen, and was bought for Cassells by long-term owner Dick Murphy at the start of the year. She was bred by Eugene McEntee out of the Je t’Aime Flamenco-sired dam Red Flamenco. “She’s come on really quickly,” said Cassells. “She’s got a very good jump, she’s progressing quietly on the flat and I hope she could be a proper one.” The Millstreet six and seven-year-old class is next on the agenda for this youngster, who could be one to watch for Le Lion d’Angers at the end of the year.

Also double clear within the time, and one of only five to do so, Casey Webb filled third spot with the nine-year-old Diamond Discovery-sired mare Nelgara Lucy Locket.

EI110 B winner Steven Smith with You Neek (ISH) at Ballindenisk (3) \ Pam Cunningham Equus Pix

Highly rated

Another bound for the Millstreet young horse CCI*-S is the equally highly rated You Neek, a pillar to post victor (25.8) in the second division. Ridden by Steven Smith, and a winner at Hazeldene only four days earlier, last year’s RDS five-year-old young event horse champion has now won four of his five event starts under rules, and appears to be a very smart performer indeed.

He was bred by John Kearney, who also stands the sire Diamond Roller, and was sourced from Stuart Whittle as a three-year-old. Much to Kearney’s delight, it been a good week for the progeny of Diamond Roller, who was also responsible for Cooley Corraghy Diamond - runner up in the Tryon International CCI4*-S last weekend.

The show jumping, together with the cross-country time proved far more influential in this sector, but once again, neither troubled Robbie Kearns who slipped into second place with Richard Ames’ eight-year-old mare Sorella Blue (SWB). The pair have already had a successful foray to England this spring, and last year filled the runner-up spot in the national age championship at Lisgarvan.

In third place was Sian Coleman who has certainly hit the ground running with her new ride and eventing first timer Millstreet Kanby. Owned and bred by Thomas Duggan, the well-related six-year-old is a son of Kannan out of Millstreet Doty (Well Chosen), a daughter of John Ledingham’s great partner Millstreet Ruby. “It’s exciting to have one for Thomas,” remarked Coleman. “I think he had been in limbo a bit, because he’s quite weak, but he’s super scopey and very honest. We’ve done some unaffiliated events with him and, having done those well, we decided to crack on.”

EI100 winner Ciara Power with Stonehavens Dreaming (ISH) at Ballindenisk (3) \ Pam Cunningham Equus Pix

EI100

Hot footing it home after a birthday weekend in Badminton, Ciara Power picked up a rewarding win in the very competitive EI100. Riding the lightly-campaigned six-year-old Stonehavens Dreaming, Power set a high bar in the dressage to gain 26.3 and, immaculate in both jumping phases, was never headed. The son of Querleybet Hero (dam Ballinamonapark Jody by Jack of Diamonds) was bred and sourced from neighbour Vahe Bogossion.

“I’m thrilled with him,” said Power, who owns the gelding with the Dreaming Syndicate. “We only arrived home from Badminton on Monday evening, but luckily, I had all the preparations done. He’s a really lovely horse, and I’ve been conscious of producing him in the best way I can. We’ve had lots of unaffiliated outings with him this year, but in hindsight I wish I’d done more last year (he won his only EI90 start under EI rules) as I’m a bit stuck now for qualifications.”

Racking up yet another runner-up spot for the Belline team, Caitie Slater slotted into second behind Power with Belline Warrenstown Cruz, from John Tilley who was double clear in third and fourth aboard Monbeg Crystal Clear and Tireragh Whispa.