WITH a trip to Osberton for the Pony Club Nations’ Cup of Eventing in riders’ sights, there was some very competitive action in the Open and Intermediate level classes at last weekend’s Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club National Eventing Championships at Tattersalls Ireland.

While still far off the numbers in the past, it was good to see 16 combinations line out for the Open individual championship for the Brig BJ Fowler trophy, although four failed to complete. Sorcha Vickers, a member of the Wicklow Hunt Branch, moved up from third after dressage to win on Interface, whose total of 35.45 included 3.2 cross-country time penalties.

Vickers and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Montender, who was previously campaigned up to CCI3* level by Ellen Creed, finished second in the Foran Equine league behind Laois Branch member Megan Adams and the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Oliver’s Girl who, with a fence down show jumping, filled the runner-up spot here on 35.5.

The only combination to complete on their dressage score were the Killinicks’ Amy Griffith and the seven-year-old thoroughbred mare Wex Gal (37.5). Also securing a potential starting place at Osberton when finishing fourth and fifth were the Carr & Day & Martin dressage phase winners on 31.25, the Westmeaths’ Evita Thomsen with Michael’s Pick (38.45), and the Golden Vales’ Leo Cleere with Norebrook Fortuna (48.15).

Also eligible to travel to Osberton are the winners and runners-up in the two Intermediate team arenas at Tatts and the winner of the individual title at this level.

However, we will first concentrate on the team championship for the IHTS trophy where the winners, on a total of 101.25 penalties, were the Kildare Lilly Whites’ Evie Holohan (Lady Ace), Gloria Queally (Glenrock Lisa), Hogan Byrne (Rob Tell) and Eliza Wardell (Kinamara Bright Star). The Tipperary Eagles and the Golden Vale Gallopers finished second (117.25) and third (121.95) respectively.

In Arena 2, those Osberton qualifying spots were filled by Carlow’s Alannah Bailey, who completed on her dressage score (31.25) with the seven-year-old Connemara gelding Kilpatrick Sparkle (Cullintra Bonfire - Kilpatrick Fushia, by Mervyn Kingsmill), and the Brays’ Beth Dooley, who had a fence down show jumping with the 16-year-old ISH mare Spears (34.75).

Team victory

The Kildare Lilly Whites secured their team victory in Arena 3. Here, Eliza Wardell claimed the title on her dressage score (33) with the eight-year-old Connemara gelding Kinamara Bright Star (Fear Beag Bui - Lookout Joker’s Girl, by Ashfield Jovial Joker) and Gloria Queally finished second on the dressage winner, the year older Connemara mare Glenrock Lisa, who had a fence down show jumping for a total of 33.25.

Although she too picked up four show jumping penalties, Meath’s Caoimhe Owens recorded an all-the-way win in the Intermediate Individual championship for the Richard Kehoe trophy on the 15-year-old bay gelding Luke Edge Cruiser (32). The Kingdoms’ Sophie Culloty had to settle for second on the 14-year-old ISH gelding Coolrahnee Rocket (34.4).

Across the three Intermediate arenas, nine of the 65 entries failed to complete.