There was universal praise last weekend for the work carried out on the cross-country course at Killossery Lodge Stud over the winter months by designer Ciaran Glynn, who was under pressure in the immediate build-up to Sunday’s event.

“I was happy with everything until the rain came,” said Glynn, co-organiser of the event, along with parents Frank and Laura.

“It poured down all Friday night and when I came out here yesterday, I found that the new water complex had burst its banks. It rained last night as well but thankfully dried up by this morning.”

The cross-country track had a new starting point on Sunday and ran uphill over a fresh section of the farm, before sweeping down towards the new water complex, where the whole area had been opened up.

It was a bit twisty towards the end but most of the fences in that area rode well and, as throughout, were well-built and presented.

As bushes and trees were taken out in places to allow for fence construction, it was good to see new planting already in place that will enhance the venue in the not too distant future.

“It was much, much better than last year,” said Steven Smith, winner of the open novice class. “The track itself was 100% and you’d have to be happy with the presentation of the fences, which were a nice size for all classes. Because of the rain, it was slippery going down to the water and you had to take your time there.”

Show jumping for the one-star horses took place on grass, as it did for those competing in the combined training classes.

As the latter were mainly held for Tattersalls runners, it was surprising to see so many withdraw before the second phase, thus forfeiting the opportunity to jump on a natural surface.

Smith’s partner in the seven-runner Hit Air O/CNC* series was Ringfort Valentino, recording his third win in four recent starts at this level by completing on his dressage score of 30.5. The flatwork leaders, Fraser Duffy and Fernhill Nearly Darc (28), went behind with a fence down show jumping before picking up 5.6 cross-country time penalties.

“The plan is for this fellow to go to Kilguilkey international but we may head for Kedrah Castle before then,” said Smith of his 10-year-old black gelding, who was the only horse in the class to get home without time penalties across the country.

BEAT THE CLOCK

His rider also managed to beat the clock in the Fingal Home & Garden CNC* with the previous weekend’s Boden Park winner Ringfort Rubicon. However, the fact that Smith jumped the adjacent pre-novice fence rather than the stipulated one-star tyres at 18, saw the combination eliminated.

On a dressage score of 28.5, they had been lying joint-third behind Kim O’Gorman and Teen Wolf (26.5), who dropped to fourth with 10.4 cross-country time penalties, and Emma Jackson and Creevagh Connection (28). The latter pair completed on their flatwork score and were the only ones to do so from 34 starters.

This was the third win of the season for Jackson’s seven-year-old S Creevagh Ferro gelding who was reserve working hunter champion at the recent Balmoral Show. It was good to see so many clear rounds jumping on grass in this class, where the fixed fences caused very few problems.

Melanie Ashe finished second with her seven-year-old Beach Ball gelding Annaghmore Ardeo, who added 2.8 cross-country time penalties to his dressage score of 32. Finishing on 36.8, Michael McNally was similarly penalised across the country with the top-placed six-year-old, his own Camiro de Haar Z gelding Readstown Frankie.

successful trip

Heidi Hamilton had a most successful trip into north Co Dublin, as all three of her rides won. She landed the three-star combined training class with Michael Hayden’s Primo Versace and, from the front, both divisions of the TRI Equestrian EI 100 spring series.

In Section A, her partner was Rosemary Hedigan’s eight-year-old Teach Mor Sean, while she landed Section B on her own the seven-year-old Thy Will Be Dun.