Round-up

THERE is a group of under age riders that have been clocking up multiple wins this year, and among them is 16-year-old Alex O’Hare. A working pupil with Cathal Daniels, Alex coolly landed her fifth win (EI 105) from as many runs this season and her first in open company.

Alex and Greylands Diamond Girl, dominated the proceedings from the front to lead Dominic Furnell (Elegant Philly) as well as Alana Rose Steele (MBF Lord Lancer Bobbie) in third. Alex, who hails from Newcastle, Co Down, bought Greylands Diamond Girl from producer Leila Barker two years ago, and aside from Daniels, is helped by Ella Boyle and Amanda Goldsbury.

With only a smattering of jumping penalties in either the show jumping or the cross-country, the EI 100 was largely a dressage competition. Having impressed Sue Ryan on the flat, Bridget McCauley headed the 30 starters with the smart five-year-old Zena Rising (Golden Master), from Linnea Parker and the diminutive Roxanne.

Not many win an event on their debut appearance under rules, so credit is certainly due to Jade Mather, who won the final EI 90 with Billy Hi Ho. Leading from the front, the eight-year-old by Watervalley Cool Diamond added just a fraction of a time penalty to better Ava Banahan with Boebaliscious.