IF the best Mother’s Day present one can have is either competing in the rain or helping others to do so, then mothers who attended the third leg of the Eventing Ireland Western Region’s eventing starter series at Milchem Equestrian last Sunday had no complaints!

“What a day we had!” exclaimed Marie Dunne, regional secretary and mother of one of the day’s winning riders, Katie Gibbons. “The rain never let up so kudos to all the riders, grooms, stewards and helpers who braved the elements, ensuring we had a great competition.

“Special mention should go to Caroline Conroy, our jumping judge, who was out in the elements for most of the day, encouraging every one of the riders. Also thanks go to Alex Kenny and her mother, Linda, for scribing all day and to Caroline Madden who kept us supplied with delicious soup and refreshments.

“We had great entries and needed two judges for the dressage phase. The first three classes – for four-year-olds, thoroughbreds and ponies – were judged by Marian Slattery who said she really enjoyed the format of the competition and scoring system used. Sue Ryan judged the final two classes and gave great feedback to all competitors on the marking sheets.”

At the home of regional chair, and the day’s course designer, Ralph Conroy, the Milchem team of riders proved nearly unbeatable.

Katie Gibbons’ victory, on her dressage mark of 53, came on her mother’s Irish Sport Horse mare Milchem Mischief, a 2016 daughter of Carnhill Bertas Lad, in the six and seven-year-old class. The dun, who was bred by Ralph out of the Contra A mare Milchem Sea Bird, won an EI100 (P) class at Ballindenisk last July and was placed in all five of her other national starts.

Milchem Mischief was campaigned for most of 2021 by Gibbons’ brother Godfrey who finished second and third here on Conn Boy (52.5) and Milchem Miami (52).

Dominant performance

From start to finish, the Conroy-sponsored Milchem Equestrian pony class was dominated by young Oisin McDonagh who rides for the Tynagh yard. He placed first on the six year-old bay mare Milchem My Lady (54.5 marks), second with six-year-old Bog Mac Bobby gelding Full Moon Magic (52.5) and third on Milchem Havana (51). The last-named, a six-year-old bay mare, led after dressage but picked up four jumping penalties.

The more senior rider at Milchem, Jason Doerflinger, recorded a comprehensive victory in the Liam Lynskey and Matt Gordon-sponsored Derryronane Stud five-year-old class which attracted 26 entries of whom 24 started.

Doerflinger’s win came on Conroy’s ISH gelding Milchem Echo who completed on his impressive flat work mark (56.5). Here, Co Clare’s Niamh Tottenham placed second on the home-bred Slieve Callan Solice (52.5) ahead of Vicky Foster riding Cody’s Glasgow (51.5). Bred by Patrick Dillon, Milchem Echo is by Musical Pursuit out of the Nautilus mare Clondavin.

Scott triumphs

Another all-the-way win was posted in the Padraig Howley-sponsored Sligo Candy Boy four-year-old class where Scotland-born Rebecca Scott, who is based in Ballyward, completed on her flat work score with RDM Ring Of Mercury (61 marks). This bay gelding, who was bred in Co Longford by Michael Kelly, is by the Belgian Warmblood stallion Calvaro van de Rechi.

Co Meath’s Caroline Lynch was only two marks adrift of Scott following the dressage phase but, while holding on to second place, finished on a score of 55 as her Irish Draught mare Ballagh Baby, a full-sister to DS Ballagh Bouncer, lowered a pole. Neva McNamara placed third on Silver who likewise picked up four jumping penalties.

Just three combinations contested Sunday’s Treo Eile-sponsored thoroughbred class with one being eliminated.

Julie Spring booked a qualifying spot when winning on Lili (46.5 marks) while Patricia Newman finished second with the previously-qualified Cry Of The Dreamer (44.5). Newman rode this 2014 Campaign Swing gelding herself in six point-to-point maidens and three bumpers from February 2020 to October 2021. Both horses erred in the jumping phase, Lili picking up eight faults while Cry Of The Dreamer lowered one pole.

A delighted Spring was only too happy to share information on Lili who is a 16.1hh seven-year-old mare by Dahjee and is the second of just two recorded produce out of the unraced Shoka Lily, a Muhtarram half-sister to five winners.

“Lili was in training but showed no form,” Spring revealed. “I have owned her for 18 months and have spent plenty of time in her rehab and retraining. During our first winter, I just hacked and then hunted her. Since then, Lili has done absolutely everything including bareback beach rides, taking my pensioner husband for hacks, dressage and a bit of jumping. We have had lots of fun with her. The only drawback is that she is grey and loves to roll!”