WITH a large field and the top two finishing on their sub-23 dressage scores, the EI100 at Grove was a tight division, but Leila Barker and Fionn (ISH by Orestus (KWPN)) emerged victorious with their exceptional leading dressage score of 22.5. This six-year-old, bred and owned by Sarah McCullagh, took the win on what was his first outing under EI rules.

Finishing a close second was Amanda Goldsbury with Call it Cooley (ISH by Sligo Bandy Boy) on 22.8 and in third place was Sophie Richards and Orado C (ISH by Jorado), who began with a solid dressage score of 24.0 with only two cross-country time penalties to add.

In the EI100 (J), Gearoid Bolger and Grantstown Tennessee stormed to victory with a flawless score of 19.8 — one of the rare sub-20 finishes seen this season. Bolger and this striking horse of unknown breeding proved unbeatable with nothing further to add.

Finishing second were Laragh Byrne and Fernhill Inspector (ISH by Tinaranas Inspector), who completed on their dressage score of 23.3 on their first EI outing together, while third place went to Ciara O’Connor with Fascinating Lily (HOLST by Quabri De L’isle), who also looked strong throughout with a dressage score of 21.3 and just 3.2 time penalties across the country to finish on a final mark of 24.5.

Connemaras dominated the EI100 (P) class and leading the charge was Eve Lindsay, who partnered Glenomore Tom (Gwennic de Goariva) to victory with a final score of 31.8.

Lindsay began with 29.0, adding just 2.8 time penalties on the cross-country course for their first EI win. Second place went to Laura Coughlan riding Tullowcussane Peaches (Derryveeney Cruise). The pair posted a dressage score of 30.8 and went clear on cross-country but incurred four penalties in the show jumping phase, finishing on a final score of 34.8. Close behind in third was Niamh Verkade and Carramore Master (Rathcoona Cove), who delivered a dressage score of 31.0 penalties and, like Coughlan, picked up four show jumping penalties to finish on 35.0.

Time faults proved costly in the EI100 (Amateur) class with joint dressage leaders Zoe Kavanagh and Farrellys Tavern maintaining the lead when adding just four jumping penalties to their first-phase score of 34.0. Denis Coakley and Rossmount Point added 4.8 for time across the country and had to settle for second. Third place went to Aoife Goodwin-Boers with Sherwater (ISH), who delivered a tidy dressage test for 27.5 adding only an additional 3.2 to finish on 30.7.