GALWAY’S Cathal Daniels came out on top in the Global Event Horses CCI4*-S competition on the closing day of the Fernhill Sport Horses Kilguilkey International Horse Trials in Co Cork yesterday (Sunday).

Riding the Jo Breheny-owned Irish Sport Horse LEB Lias Jewel, Daniels added just 6.4 time penalties cross-country to his sressage score to finish on a final score of 39.7.

“This was the mare’s first step up to four-star level,” said Daniels after his win. “Kilguilkey is a very special event and the cross-country tracks are perfect for stepping horses up to the next level.”

Second place went to Aoife Clark with Fernhill Adventure (ISH) on a score of 43.8, while Sarah Ennis with BLM Diamond Delux (ISH) finished third (44.5).

CCI3*-S

The Plusvital CCI3*-S saw Australian rider Kevin McNab (pictured) successfully defended his title with the Irish Sport Horse Fernhill Tabasco. The win saw McNab earn his first points in the 2019 Horse Sport Ireland €10,000 Eventing Challenge, where riders are vying for league points at Irish international horse trials across the summer in the hope of putting their name on the cheque at the final leg in Ballindenisk, Co Cork this September.

The British-based rider now looks set to return to the remaining legs of the series in an effort to take home the bonus for the second consecutive year. Runner-up Sam Watson (Imperial Sky (ISH)(TIH)) moves to the top of the leaderboard ahead of the next leg at Camphire International Horse Trials.

Full report and news from Kilguilkey International in next Saturday’s The Irish Field.