THE much-needed rain arrived at the wrong time for those tackling the cross-country phase at Ballindenisk on Monday, August 3rd when Area 5 of the Irish Pony Club held the final Connolly’s Red Mills/IPC eventing qualifier for 2026.

The Area 5 committee ran one of the all-too-rare Open classes at Ballindenisk where, despite picking up four show jumping penalties for a total of 35, Megan Adams of the Laois Hunt Branch led from start to finish on Olivers Girl (KMS Romeo - Olivers Lass, by Riverside Clover). The pair also compete under Eventing Ireland rules and, on their most recent start, finished second in the EI110 (J) at Frankfort.

Here, second place was occupied by the Wicklows’ Sorcha Vickers, who recorded the only show jumping clear with the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Interface (36.75). They finished well clear of the Golden Vales’ Ben Nolan, who lowered one of the coloured poles with Lady Bella Seskin (45.25).

Four show jumping penalties proved costly for Kate Jordan in Section A of the Intermediate, as the Killinick member dropped from first to third with Serene Ace (32). Completing on her first phase score to claim the win was Co Clare’s Grace Murphy riding the ISH mare KEC Arctic Maxi (29.5), an eight-year-old daughter of KEC Maximum Joe.

Tipperary’s Harry Barton also finished on his dressage score to place second with Neptune Lad (31).

With the early leaders all having jumping problems in Section B, the only riders who completed on their dressage scores filled the top three placings. The win on 32.5 went to Bray’s Chloe Lalloo with the Connemara gelding Kildromin Mentor, a 13-year-old grey by Carraig Eibhir. In second and third were Tipperary’s Mary Kennedy on Bellscrosse Lad (34) and the Duhallows’ Caroline Roche with Adam’s Apple (37.75).

The Killinicks’ Keira Crowther landed Section A of the Intro Intermediate on her winning dressage score (31.75) with the ISH gelding OK Lucky Diamond, a five-year-old Dignified van’t Zorgvliet grey on whom she won the EI90 at Frankfort last month. The optimum time ruling was implemented to place Tipperary’s Sarah Larkin and Ashroe Dandy second, ahead of Scarteen’s Sarah O’Connor with Let’s Go Girls, both having completed on their flat work mark of 38.

Despite four show jumping penalties, the trip down to Ballindenisk paid off for Longford’s Emma Kenny, as she led Section B throughout on board the 12-year-old grey gelding Ruby Menlo Kelly’s Boy (31). United’s Ruben Hall, who finished second, also lowered one of the coloured poles with RHF Rebus (32.5), while Carbery’s Olivia O’Mahony slotted into third on her dressage score with Sligo Candy Girl (34).

The first three after dressage in Section A of the Junior class remained on their flat work marks throughout.

The winner on 22.25 was Freya Fitzgerald of the Island Branch, who partnered the 12-year-old grey gelding Aille Sinoia Scooby on whom she won an EI80 at Frankfort on her sole Eventing Ireland start back in March. Riding My Romany Knight, Carbery’s Maria Fleming Hand finished second on 22.75, a point clear of the Duhallows’ Annabel McCarthy on Galtee Wild Rose.

Having won six times previously this season, Bray’s Emily Grimes looked on course for a seventh success with Millbridge Buachaill Bui when leading Section B after dressage on a score of 22, seven points clear of their nearest rivals. They maintained that advantage after a clear show jumping round but, most surprisingly, were eliminated across the country.

Moving up to fill the top spot was West Carbery’s Orla Keane with the unraced thoroughbred gelding Caherdaniel Lucky (29.75), a 16-year-old son of Kasmayo. Also completing on their first phase scores to place second and third were Kildare’s Philippa Hillman with Dale (33) and Tipperary’s Kate Browne Souza on Kinamara Miss Lucy (33.25).

Despite picking up 1.6 cross-country time penalties, The Kingdom’s Saibh Prenderville ran out the comfortable winner of Section A of the Intro Junior class on board Sunny Girl, with the honours in Section B going to Kilkenny’s Will Griffin, who held on to win despite having a pole down show jumping with the Connemara gelding Paddy B, a 16-year-old grey by Bobby Joe.

Third after dressage in Section A of the Under 12s’ competition, Waterford’s Ella Mai Power was left in front to record her fourth win of the campaign on board Ballyerk Floss, an eight-year-old grey gelding by Ballyerk J J. A double clear in the jumping phases also ensured victory in Section B for Co Limerick’s Honor Ryan riding the Connemara gelding Diamond Shadow, a 16-year-old grey by Lishmar Shadow.