MONDAY was family day at Downpatrick racecourse and it was all about family at nearby Tullymurry last Saturday for the first of two consecutive Eventing Ireland Northern Region one-day events at the Co Down venue.

Headed up by Marian Turley, the team at Tullymurry not only had everything in place for a perfect day’s sport on a beautiful day but, as ever, each member of the extended Turley and O’Connor families greeted visitors with a smile.

Nothing is ever too much trouble for them and on Saturday the ground was in excellent condition, thanks hugely to the efforts of David Turley and Ciaran Carr, the David O’Connor-designed, Johnny Hagan-built fences were imaginatively decorated as usual and a new loop on neighbour’s land added greatly to the cross-country phase.

Event secretary Dora Beacom had alerted riders, officials and volunteers in advance of the parades en route to Tullymurry on Saturday, but Sarah Ennis felt she had no need to study these for her morning’s drive but did get away early so not to be caught up in proceedings on the way home.

Placed in the two EI110 classes, Ennis landed the EI100 on her winning Corey Mawhinney-awarded dressage score with her own Ordonnay (22.8). Here, Sophie McNicholas finished second with her eight-year-old Sligo Candy Boy gelding Forte Auream whose total of 30 included 1.2 cross-country time penalties. Two of the 18 combinations failed to finish across the country, one retiring and one being eliminated for a rider unseating.

“As I was on with my first horse at 8.30am, I didn’t think I’d have to worry about parades so left at 4.30am as planned,” said Co Meath-based Ennis. “I asked if I could have my 90 (T) time moved forward to avoid a parade on the way home and the organisers kindly allowed it; they are always so helpful in the Northern Region. The ground was fantastic - it was actually soft in the dressage arenas - and I don’t think I’ve ever come across going so good in such drying conditions. The new loop meant that the cross-country track was a lot less twisty.

No pressure

“Ordonnay is a six-year-old horse we own ourselves so I can take my time with him. As he’s KWPN I don’t think he’d be considered for Le Lion so I’ll just continue to bring him along slowly. He’ll go back to Tullymurry on Saturday (today) and we’ll see where we go from there; I’m not under any pressure.” Ordonnay, who was recording his second win from four starts at this level, is by Jardonnay VDL out of Rowerna, by Iroko.

Eighteen combinations came before Julie Green in the EI90 and, apart from four who had a single fence down show jumping and those who picked up cross-country time penalties, the remainder - bar one - completed on the scores she awarded them. Unfortunately, Imogan Grey and Roundstone Star Express parted company across the country at fence 15b (the windmill water).

Bounced back

Victoria Clarke and the ISH gelding Diamond Yeats bounced back from their elimination in the EI100 the previous week at The Clare to record an all-the-way success on 23 penalties. Bred in Co Down by his owner Karen King out of her Diamond Clover mare Dilly Dally Diamond, this nine-year-old son of Yeats started eventing last season following a successful career in the show ring. Colin Halliday finished second on the newcomer Apple Jacques (24.3), a five-year-old ISH gelding by Vancouver.

Although two seconds over the time across the country, Martha McMurray likewise led from start to finish in the EI80 on Joyce McConnell’s 18-year-old Willoway Double Gold mare Woodrow Rosewood (28.3 penalties). Three of the seven starters were eliminated, one in show jumping.