WITH only one non-Irish rider in the field, we can be a bit more territorial when it comes to the result of the Connolly’s Red Mills CCIP2-L where Co Meath’s Hugh Kelly stood out not just as the winner on Fairyhouse In A Pickle but as the only rider to complete on his dressage score.

The ground jury of Britain’s Angela Tucker (C), the USA’s Beatrice di Grazia (H) and Ireland’s Joanne Jarden (B) had Kelly in sixth place on 31.7 penalties with his mother Bronagh’s traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse mare, following the flat work phase. At this stage, Co Armagh’s Kitty Cullen led on Coppenagh Spring Sparrow (28.9) with England-based Swedish rider Freya von Moltke lying second on the Irish Sport Pony Grantstown True Loves (30.2).

While there were 22 other starters in the class, this trio occupied the top three places after cross-country on Saturday with Kelly moving up into second while, with 3.2 time penalties, von Moltke dropped down to third. Two combinations retired over the fixed fences, one was eliminated while two others had problems in jumping.

The long format saw the pony riders show jump in reverse order on Sunday and as both Von Moltke and Kelly recorded clear rounds, the pressure was on Cullen who couldn’t afford a fence down if she was to hold her Co Meath rival at bay. Unfortunately, Coppenagh Spring Sparrow lowered fence eight which meant Kelly claimed the win, and with it the Grace Tyrrell perpetual trophy.

“This was a brilliant win in its own right but particularly as Hugh is in his last year in ponies and the mare is only seven,” said the successful rider’s mother Bronagh Kennedy. “We were in The Netherlands in mid-April and Hugh found the cross-country course there very tight and twisty. It was the opposite at Millstreet, which he described as a great open, galloping course.

“Hugh has been working hard on his dressage and show jumping all season, taking in training days and lots of SJI shows, but I think what has improved his riding no end, particularly across the country, is riding out as often as he can for Gavin Cromwell. It helps that he has been on his Transitional Year!

“We’ll probably head for Grove now and then Hugh and the mare will have to compete at Ballindenisk in early July after, which they will announce the selection for the Europeans.”

The breeding of the winning pony is covered in page 94 as her full-sister, Fairyhouse Coco, won the higher-graded championship at Sunday’s Derby show at the Kilronan Equestrian Centre.