KEVIN McNab has a very successful strike rate on his visits to Irish soil, Millstreet in particular has been a happy hunting ground for him and this year was no different. This year his success came with Lone Ranger (AES), a 10-year-old gelding by Grandorado TN, owned by Jacinta Kinsella, Samia Murgian Hedger and Emma McNab. Initially fourth after dressage on a score of 31.1 penalties, McNab was among many riders to incur time penalties across a demanding cross-country phase. Despite adding 18.4 penalties, he still managed to climb two places, holding overnight second.

A clear round on the final day was enough to secure McNab his 33rd FEI win across all levels. Initially starting the class with four rides, McNab also piloted the eight-year-old mare, Cassie, to fourth place, also jumping clear on the final day. “I was really pleased with both horses. Lone Ranger has had a slow start to the season, but he was really great all week here and it was so nice to have one of his owners, Samia, here to see it,” said McNab. “He gave me a great ride on the cross-country and came out fresh, even a little careful and spooky on the final day, which was a great feeling!”

McNab decided not to run all his entries cross-country due to ground conditions: “I felt for the Duggans given the weather, as I do love coming here and was ready to compete. However, after competing on my first two horses, I felt it was the right decision to withdraw the others as they didn’t need to run in those conditions, but the aim is still to come back in July.”

Ireland’s Steven Smith claimed second place with You Neek (ISH), a seven-year-old gelding bred by John Kearney, now owned by Jennifer Smith. This combination has had excellent form this spring, with a second place and two wins on the board in the lead up to the event. Sitting just inside the top 20 after the first phase, Smith climbed the leaderboard after cross-country up to third place. You Neek (ISH) was one of 11 horses to jump clear on the final day, promoting them to second place in the overall standings.

On a weekend where time faults proved costly throughout, Sam Watson showcased exactly what his German-bred Thoroughbred, Nominator, is capable of, producing the fastest cross-country round of the competition to soar to the top of the leaderboard after two phases. Three poles down on the final day saw the pair slip to eventual third place, though it still marked the horse’s best international result to date.

Irish-based, British rider Daniel Alderson, will have been pleased with Hurricane Fly B, a nine-year-old owned by the Monty’s Ladies’ Syndicate. Sitting ninth after dressage, they only added time faults on the cross-country course, to finish their weekend in fifth. Rounding out the top six, was Richard Ames’ Irish Sport Horse, Belline Castle ONR Candy, ridden by Patrick Byrne.