DIVIDED into two sectors, the EI100 opener at Hillcrest went to Sarah Ennis aboard the former show jumper Ordonnay (by Jardonnay).

Taking part in only their second event together and their first at the level, the pair clearly impressed flat work judge Ciara Egan to earn a winning score of 25.8. Ultimately a competitive dressage mark proved to be of paramount importance, as the top eight all completed on their first-phase score.

Time penalties and the occasional show jump juggled the remaining order, but neither troubled Ennis, who was delighted with her six-year-old Dutch-bred. “I bought him last June from Greg Clarke of Quagga Sport Horses, who had imported him in Holland as a three-year-old,” she said.

“I initially spotted him at a show at the Emerald centre, but at the time he was too expensive. He then went on to compete on the Sunshine Tour, and eventually I was able to strike a deal. I love him. I think he has all the ingredients to be a top one – and, although he’s never been cross-country before, it’s the phase I think he loves the best.”

Chasing all the way, and in dressage order, Luca Bortolamei (Fernhill Cool Confection) retained his second placing (29.3) from the two Belline riders Charlie Boardman (Belline Newtown Douglas) and Robbie Kearns aboard the five-year-old Belline Kasparov. There were no jumping penalties recorded in the country, although one from the 20 runners failed to complete.

Super test

Co Waterford’s Sean Looney is a busy man and, with his mixed yard of eventers, show horses and sales liveries, his lorry is rarely off the road. He is enjoying a good season across a broad range of disciplines and was well-rewarded at Hillcrest when landing the second EI100 division with Lawrence Patterson’s eventing first-timer Drumnaconnell Monza.

Sean Looney with Drumnaconnell Monza (ISH), winners of the EI100 at Hillcrest \ EquusPix Photography

Having produced a super test to earn a score of 21.8, the pair completed with three marks in hand over Sara Lundkvist with Sportsfield Superstar (25.3), as well as Ciara Power aboard her recent Ballindenisk winner Stonehavens Dreaming. Home-bred by Patterson out of the Western Promise-sired dam, Drumnaconnell Promise, the son of Cormint was initially partnered by Gillian Beale King under whom he qualified for the young event horse class at the RDS last year.

This season, it was decided that Looney would take up the reins on the event track, and the ride was passed over just three months ago.

“His balance and carriage is unbelievable,” enthused the rider. “He just flows and gallops and is one you can easily imagine going round the big tracks. He’s entered for the Burghley Young Event Horse class at Millstreet this weekend, but the eventing goal would be the Michael Leonard young horse championship at the end of the year.”

Bringing a successful day to a close, Patrick Whelan landed a double to take the EI90 aboard his own first-timer Olivier, with fellow first-timers Heidi Hamilton (Mount Atlas) and Sarah Ennis (Fenyas Email) filling second and third spots.