THERE was a low-key end on the competition front to the Baileys Horse Feeds flexi eventing series at The Meadows last Saturday, when Julie Green (British Dressage List 3) was the sole judge on duty.

There were 17 starters in the Intro class, two of them ridden by Lucca Stubington, who claimed the honours on 75.3% with Sheelagh Kennedy and Michael Irwin’s Irish Sport Horse gelding Magic Angelo (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve - Magic Cuidam, by Luidam).

The five-year-old chesnut home-bred is the second of three recorded foals on the Irish Horse Register out of his dam who show jumped successfully at 1.40m level with Neal Fearon. On Saturday, Magic Angelo posted a clear round over the 90cm cross-country track.

The Sands sisters, Sienna and Ella-Rose, finished second and third respectively on the 15-year-old black mare Cleggan Cryss (71.8) and the nine-year-old bay gelding Drumlane Dick (68.8). Both young riders are looking forward to the start of the Eventing Ireland season with their mother Danielle’s ponies.

Green’s narrow winner of the Pre-Novice class, which also attracted 17 starters, was dental nurse Abbie Cummins riding Helen Bickerstaffe’s 16-year-old Renaissance Jubilee.

Three other combinations breached the 70% barrier. These were 13-year-old Ana Goodrich with the 11-year-old Irish Sports Pony Broadleas Chase (73) on whom she had a very good first season competing under Eventing Ireland rules last year; Charlie Watson on the traditionally-bred ISH mare Toberpatrick Gentle Dove (71.8); and Lucca Stubbington riding Harry (70.3).

Wonder-ful

There were just four starters in the Novice class where the winner on 75% was University student Rosey Herron with her traditionally-bred eight-year-old ISH gelding Imperial Wonder (Imperial Hights - Tiney, by Silver Wonder) who she competed in two CSI1*-Intro classes last season. Gemma Esler finished second with the nine-year-old thoroughbred gelding Punters Dream (70) who was placed at EI110 level last term.

While most riders who contested the flexi series are probably competing this weekend - some back at The Meadows for the first of the Balmoral Show qualifiers for Connemaras, Irish Draughts and young performance horses - organisers, officials and volunteers will be glad of the two-week break before the annual Eventing Ireland Northern Region two-phase event takes place at Tyrella on Saturday, March 14th.

Let’s hope all those who braved the inclement weather over the course of the Baileys Horse Feeds series will enjoy better conditions during the eventing season.