AILBHE McGrath, who enjoyed a lot of success at EI110 (Amateur) level with the retired Tredstep Renaissance Man, recorded her first Eventing Ireland win in exactly six years when landing the EI100 (Amateur) at Tullymurry last Saturday on Bridgemans Mojito.

Richard Hunter, who was competing at the Connolly’s Red Mills/AIRC national show jumping championships in Mullingar on Sunday, had a good start to his trip north when winning the Julie Green-judged dressage phase with Kan Do Masterclass (22), remaining in front with a clear show jumping round.

Unfortunately, both Hunter and Bernadette Muirhead, who had been lying third on Out Of The Blue (25.3), were eliminated when jumping the incorrect third element of the Windmill Water at six, while 10.4 cross-country time penalties saw Naomi Buchanan drop from second to third with Mezcal (34.9).

Despite the addition of 2.4 time penalties over the fixed fences, McGrath and Bridgemans Mojito were then left in front to claim the honours in the seven-strong class with Rachel Keys finishing second on her first phase score with Drumnaconnell Bellagio (32).

“I bought this fellow as a yearling and have brought him along slowly,” revealed Co Meath-based McGrath. “I had to really as he is a very big horse and it’s only this year that he has learned where to put his feet. I’ll do Flowerhill with him (Sunday, August 2nd) and then, as I really want to get back up to 110 level, I’ll concentrate on show jumping, which is our weakest phase, for a few weeks.

“The event was really well run, very organised, and, given the weather we have been having, the ground was amazing ,” commented McGrath. The primary school teacher is helped out at home during termtime by her mother Emer and her sister Sadhbh, Eventing Ireland’s EI110 (Amateur) national champion back in 2019.

At one stage, all four starters held the lead in the EI90 (Amateur) class and, at close of play, that was Anne Killeen who did so with her Irish Draught gelding Penanns Mourne Silver (Bellamont – Lisnaclea Cinderelly Lady, by Tullycommon Boy). She and the 10-year-old completed on a total of 49.1 which included eight show jumping penalties and 4.8 for time across the country.

On a total of 30 penalties, which included two for time on the final leg, Nichola Wray comfortably saw off the challenge of her sole rival when, following six runs and six placings, she won the EI110 (Amateur) on her 10-year-old Lislap Benedict gelding Dylan AKA Springhill Showman.