THE TRM CCI4*-S proved a popular contest, with a strong field of 33 combinations lining up before the Ground Jury of Andrew Bennie (NZL), Marie Hennessy (IRL) and Aníbal Marianito (POR).

Victory went to Cathal Daniels and the seasoned campaigner Barrichello, who reminded everyone of his class, with a polished performance across all three phases. The pair opened on 30.0 in the dressage and kept the pressure on throughout, adding just 0.8 of a time penalty in the show jumping before producing one of only five clear rounds inside the time across Paul Brady’s cross-country course. That result sealed the win for the 16-year-old gelding, owned by Dr Sarah Hughes, who has previously competed at CCI5*-L level with both Daniels and fellow Irishman Joseph Murphy.

“I’m really delighted to win this class with Barrichello - he’s a real competitor,” Daniels said afterwards. “It’s great to have him back at top sport. He’s only had three runs this season: two wins and a third in the three-star at Millstreet International. Now we get planning for a CCI5*-L.” Daniels came close to securing a second top placing, but with his other ride, Shannondale Mari (ISH), an activated pin at fence 19A proved costly, dropping them down to 11th overall.

Well-earned

Britain’s Andrew Downes ensured the visiting riders were well represented on the leaderboard when finishing runner-up with Cooley Foxtrot. The Irish Sport Horse gelding, a nine-year-old by O.B.O.S Quality 004 and bred by Sean Jones, is owned by Downes himself and Jane Moss. Adding only cross-country time faults to his dressage score of 31.1, he secured a well-earned second place.

Third went to the ever-consistent grey gelding Calmaro, partnered by Joseph Murphy. They had sat just 13th after the first two phases, but a fast and fluent cross-country round propelled them up the order. Calmaro now heads to Burghley CCI5*-L next month, giving Murphy another serious contender at the highest level. Murphy also finished fifth with DStud Flirtation, impressively the only combination to finish on their dressage score (37.7).

Agonisingly close to a perfect finishing score were Casey Webb and HHF Elegance. Just 0.4 of a time penalty on cross-country left them on 35.6, which earned the pair a career-best fourth place at this level. Though the cross-country course rode well on the whole and penalties were spread out, the frangible pin at fence 19A was activated on three occasions.

Leader after dressage and show jumping, Ian Cassells with Milridge Atlantis - owned by Gerry and Fiona M. Leahy - withdrew before the cross-country phase. They were joined by the second placed after dressage, RCA Patron Saint and Lucy Latta, who now turn their focus to Burghley CCI5*-L. Sam Watson and Ballyneety Rocketman (ISH) (TIH) picked up the prize for the Highest Placed Traditional Irish Horse in the class, just adding time penalties to his dressage score of 33.3 to finish in 13th overall.