ANOTHER rider who regularly competes in Britain is Esib Power but one event she did not have to travel far to attend was her local fixture at Clonmahon.

Full of praise for the venue, saying it was one event she was determined not to miss, Power enjoyed a rewarding win when Dassett Fortune landed a runaway victory in a hotly-contested restricted EI115 division.

On sparkling form, the Summerhill rider piloted both the winner and Balladeer Clintender into the leading places after dressage and, while the latter dropped out of contention in the country, Dasset Fortune was foot-perfect to complete on his opening score of 20.3. “I think a lot of him,” she said of the Marie Moloney-bred winner. “He’s taken a bit of producing and it was how he did it that really impressed me.”

Only an eight-year-old, Dassett Fortune (by Diarado) had been lightly evented in England before owner Therese Miller bought him for Power to ride. The pair competed in Le Lion d’Angers last autumn and are entered in the CCI3*-L at Lisgarvan later this month.

In second spot from the outset, Ian Cassells filled a good second place (27.1) with Nuala McDonald’s smart seven-year-old Noa W (KWPN) from Darragh Byrne with Teachers Pet (31.8). The cross-country was far more influential in this sector, with five riders clocking up penalties, and a further three walking home.

EI110 classes

The Kilkenny-based Maloney family were also responsible for breeding the EI 110 (O) winner Lates Eddie who, under Alison Holden, claimed the six-strong class from the front. Still recovering from a dislocated finger, the Co Waterford veterinary surgeon was undaunted to produce her usual fluent test on the flat and followed it by posting two clear jumping rounds.

This performance, albeit with a few time penalties, promoted her ahead of early leader Joseph Murphy (My Foxall Kit), as well as second placed Heidi Brabazon aboard the veteran Red Ace. Patrick Byrne riding the four-star campaigner Oughterard Diva filled third.

The delighted winner remarked afterwards: “My husband Eamon has kept him going - so it’s thanks to him that he went so well!” The couple cherry pick the events for this yard favourite, who is now bound for the CCI3* at Ballindenisk.

Honours in the first of the two Yeomanstown Stud-sponsored restricted sectors fell to the Co Waterford partnership of Sadbh Bolger and the super-consistent Grantstown Imperial. As one of only two combinations to complete on their dressage score, the duo reversed placings with the slightly slower early leader Sara Lundkvist (Sportsfield More Fusion), leaving the speedy Ian Cassells and Rutland Flamenco in third.

Bolger, who juggles her eventing with her career as a teacher, has produced the mare throughout having sourced her as a three-year-old. By Cavalier Land out of Grantstown Hights (Imperial Hights), she was bred by Johnny Widger, who creditably also bred the second placed Sportsfield More Fusion.

Having knocked on the door all day, a busy Amanda Goldsbury finally got her head in front in the second division. Riding as always for Richard Sheane, Goldsbury teamed up with the Zangersheide-bred six-year-old Touch of Cooley who, having gained a clear lead on the flat, completed four clear marks ahead of Ian Cassells with Peak Freestyler. This was the second victory of the current campaign for the son of Kimmi, who is clearly enjoying his first season eventing.

Demoted from second due to just 1.6 time penalties, John Tilley rounded off a good day by slotting into third aboard Tireragh Whisper.

Another win for Anhold

Heading a massive class of 10 runners, sporting solicitor Donnacha Anhold (Rushfield Houdini) racked up back-to-back wins in the Charlestown Stud-sponsored EI 100. Having won at Crecora the previous weekend, the Sligo pairing maintained their form to post a clear lead on the flat and were never headed.

Staying largely in dressage order, Katherine Shields (DS Bouncer 007) filled second from Kate O’Donovan with Daydream Believer. As it should, the cross-country did cause a few problems for these less experienced campaigners, with eights runners accruing isolated penalties.