THE Project Pony CCI-S P2* at the Scone Palace International Horse Trials was an Irish whitewash, with the entire podium going to riders from the Emerald Isle. The two-phase leader Lucy Hope Ryan and Pretty Patterns, a 10-year-old skewbald mare, took the top spot, 1.1 penalties ahead of Jonty Purcell and FHS Felicity, with Hannah Goold and Paddy’s Best in third.

Hope Ryan added just 0.4 cross-country time penalties to her dressage score of 34.6 to clinch the win, while Purcell, the dressage leader on 31.3, had a pole down and 0.8 for time in the show jumping to finish on 36.1. Goold climbed from fourth after dressage to third on a final tally of 40.5, when compatriot India Cox and Kinamara Lady Destiny rolled two coloured poles to finish fifth on 45.

In the CCI4*-S, Sarah Ennis and Onceuponatime were best of the Irish in 14th, adding 6.4 cross-country time penalties to a dressage score of 34.9. Best of the Irish in the CCI2*-L was Caitlin Woods and Greygrove Delight in 14th on her dressage score of 39.1.

In the CCI1*-Intro, Lesley Jones and Quality Choice flew the Irish flag for fourth on their dressage score of 30.8, while Chloe Walsh and Enniskerry Masterpiece finished in fifth here on 32.3 after rolling one pole.

Irish breeders made quite an impact at Scone, winning five out of the six CCIs. The CCI4*-L went to Piggy March (GBR) and Cooley Anything You Like by Camillo VDL, bred by John Mannon of Galway. The CCI4*-S was won by Gemma Stevens (GBR) and Cooley Park Muze by Pollux de Muze Z and bred by John Connolly. Izzy Taylor (GBR) won the CCI3*-L with Barrington Boy (ISH) by Sligo Candy Boy, bred by Mary Walsh. The CCI2*-L was won by Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield in the Spotlight by Centrestage, bred by Sarah Whiteside and Lyndon Steele. Finally, the CCI1*-Intro went to Philippa Nixon (GBR) and Springfern Quidamity by Quidam Junior I, bred by Kieran Broderick.

Also Scone was the National Pony Society (NPS) Scotland finals and championships, where guest judge and leading event rider Oliver Townend selected Connemara pony Birchill Silver Star and Cumbrian rider Nikkita Guy as his supreme champion.

“He was beautifully balanced and produced,” said Oliver. “He was an athlete, and in proportion with good conformation. He’s everything I would want and I wouldn’t mind riding him myself!”

Birchill Silver Star is by the late Silver Shadow out of Be My Star (Monaghstown Fionn) and was bred in Galway by Cyril Carty. Guy and eight-year-old Silver had earlier taken the NPS Scotland/Kingfisher Building Products M&M working hunter championship after winning the exceeding 143cm class. The duo continued their Scottish reign after being crowned working hunter champions at the Royal Highland Show in June.