TAKING an early lead in the NutriScience CCI4*-L at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials was Britain’s Tom Jackson, holding the top two placings out of a small field comprising two rival compatriots.

Jackson was in the lead at lunchtime yesterday (Friday) with Bahira M (33.1) and Fire Fly (33.8), chased by Olivia Leyland (GB) and Cruise The Town (35.1) lying third and Tom Bird (GB) with Rebel Rhyme (40.4) in fourth.

Meath Olympian Sarah Ennis and Horseware Woodcourt Garrison were out in front for the home side in the 12-runner NutriScience CCI4*-S on 34.0, pursued by Alex Houston and Skyfall Echo (34.2) and Dublin’s Ian Cassells on Woodendfarm Jack O D (34.6) in second and third respectively.

Gerald Bloomer and Shannondale Icarus lead the 19 starters in the Eventing Ireland CCI3*-L on 27.5 from Britain’s Angus Smales and Mount Corbitt Storm (28.9) in second and and Suzanne Hagan with OBOS Take One in third on 29.4.

In the short-format equivalent, Michael Ryan leads on Claragh Olala (28.9) from Zara Nelson and OLS King Aragon (29.0), chased by Jodie O’Keeffe and Reenmore Duke (29.2).

(Full coverage of Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in next week’s issue.)

Avenches update

Switzerland’s Avenches National Equestrian Institute (IENA) is buzz with the FEI European Championships in full swing.

Mike Etherington-Smith’s very technical cross-country CCI4*-L course with plenty of twists and turns – awaits the 67 competitors today (Saturday).

Leading after dressage phase was Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD on 20,2, fractions ahead of Britain’s Rosalind Canter with All Star B (20,6) and Nicola Wilson (GB) with JL Dublin (20.9).

Team pathfinder Piggy March and Brookfield Inocent (ISH), bred by Wicklow’s John Mulvey (Inocent out of Shalie’s Pet by King’s Servant) posted her best ever championship score of 23,3 penalties. Team GB leads the team standings after dressage on a running tally of 64.80, just 4.9 penalty points ahead of Germany in second with France 7.6 points off the pace.

Irish fortunes

Yesterday afternoon’s leaderboard showed Ireland’s Clare Abbott and Jewelent (ISH) owned by Catherine Abbott, Barbra Allen and Lisa Rosbotham, as best of the Irish in 31st (30,4). Joseph Murphy and Cesar V, owned by The Way Forward Syndicate, were in joint 33rd place (30,8) followed by Cathal Daniels and LEB Lias Jewel, owned by Jo Breheny (31,1) in 37th place.

Padraig McCarthy and Leonidas II, owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and the rider, were lying 47th at that point (33,1) while Carlow’s Sam Watson and the traditional Irish-bred Ballybolger Talisman (33,5) were in 50th.