THE 2026 Eventing Ireland season got underway last Saturday when the Northern Region staged the first of three spring one-day events at John and Hannah Corbett’s wonderful seaside estate of Tyrella, which looked at its best in the sunshine.

Even the sandy soil here was unable to soak up all the rain over the winter and a large amount of drainage work had to be carried out by the Region’s new cross-country course designer, Andrew Napier, before he could begin work on the fences from the turn of the year.

Competitors got a glimpse of what was to come when the Region held its annual two-phase event here the previous weekend and, following Saturday’s seasonal opener, they will be keen to see what Napier will produce for Tyrella 2 (Saturday next, April 4th) and 3 (Saturday, April 18th). There were relatively few jumping problems over the five cross-country tracks, but plenty of penalties were incurred in the show jumping rings where Aaron McCusker’s tracks had a big influence on the results.

This fixture filled up quickly once the entries opened and it only took 30 minutes before the ‘House Full’ sign went up for Tyrella 2. Entries open at 6pm tomorrow, Sunday, for Tyrella 3 and it will be interesting to see how long it takes for this event to fill as well. Given the need for competitors to achieve MERs for any international participation, one wonders if there is a need to run training competitions at this time of year.

There were two classes at EI115 level on Saturday, the Open attracting a strong field of 22 starters from right across the country. Four combinations achieved sub-30 penalty scores in the Vanda Stewart-judged dressage phase and a trio of those filled the top three placings following cross-country and show jumping which, as is usual in the Northern Region, were tackled in that order.

Ian Cassells led from start to finish on Gerry and Fiona Leahy’s Millridge Atlantis, whose total of 28.5 included 7.6 cross-country time penalties; with 5.2 penalties over the fixed fences, John Tilley placed second on Licence To Cooley (32.9); Patrick Whelan picked up just two time penalties on the second leg, but had a fence down show jumping with Altitu (34.9). Cathal Daniels withdrew Sammy Davis Junior (29.1) after the flat work phase.

There was only one problem across the country - Michael Ryan being unseated from JVK Eclipse at the third element of fence 18 (the MIMS skinny), three from home - while half of the remainder incurred four show jumping penalties or more.

As usual, Gerry Leahy, accompanied by his wife Ber, was on hand to see the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Millridge Atlantis (Dinan Casceletto - Kereen Sue, by Warrenstown You 2) have his first start in this code since Cassells and the grey were on Ireland’s silver medal-winning team at the European eventing championships in Blenheim last September.

The immediate targets for the Sean O’Loughlin-bred winner are Lisgarvan and Ballindenisk revealed South Co Dublin-based Cassells, who said of the cross-country course: “It was strong enough for the first of the season, nice and big. They had done great work with the ground, which should be perfect for Tyrella 2 (Saturday next, April 4th).”

Cassells had one other ride in this class, his Lion d’Angers bronze medal winner Noa W, who finished sixth on 39 penalties, while Tilley finished fifth on the same score having been faster across the country on Trend de la Cruise.

A speedy cross-country round, which resulted in him picking up just 1.6 time penalties, no doubt helped Patrick Whelan win the 12-runner EI115 with the eight-year-old ISH gelding SHL Cantbetamed (Luidam - Back Chat, by Martell). However, it had more to do with the Co Wexford rider recording one of only three clear show jumping rounds on Ann and Lisa Cash’s home-bred eight-year-old for a total of 35 penalties.

Sam Watson led after dressage with Ballybolger Goldman (26.1), but then incurred 5.2 cross-country time penalties and, more costly, had a pole down show jumping for a total of 35.3 and a drop to second place.

On board Kelly, her ride from last year’s European Junior championships, Ali Fitzpatrick picked up six time penalties on the second leg, but show jumped clear for third on 36.7.

The only combination to beat the clock across the country was Carla Williamson and Powers, but 12 show jumping penalties saw them finish sixth on 46.3.