NEWLY-married Michael Butler started his 2026 campaign with a third place in the EI110 (Amateur) at Hillcrest with his own and his wife Siobhan’s Monemore Joule. He had further reason to celebrate when he bettered this result at Flowerhill to win this class ahead of Alannah M Kelly, who demonstrated consistency to finish second on both occasions with Milshogue Bailey. Student Dorothy Good edged ahead of both aforementioned combinations in Hillcrest, when her dressage score with Cruising Good Quality was enough to allow her maintain her lead, despite incurring four faults in the show jumping phase.

Rolline O’Callaghan achieved two podium placings over two consecutive weekends at EI100 (Amateur) level with the 17-year-old Splendid B. She took the win at Hillcrest before finishing second to Zoe Kavanagh and Farrellys Tavern at Flowerhill by a margin of more than three marks. There was no overlap across the EI90 (Amateur) classes at these venues and, at Hillcrest, Emily Lyons Duggan and her Traditional Irish Horse Artemis Moon edged ahead of the double-handed Ciara M Kelly to take the win. Kelly finished second and third with Cousin Joe and Fanlehane Narjah respectively, while of the four runners in this section at Flowerhill, Marleese Carey emerged as best of them with Cloney Diamond Royale.