FOUR weeks after the Irish Sport Horse Studbook show jumping series for young horses concluded at the Tattersalls July Show, the final leg of the equivalent series for young event horses was held at the Co Meath venue last Sunday. Just days before the start of the international in Millstreet, where there is a dedicated two-star class for six-year-olds, it wasn’t surprising that only 12 horses were entered for the final leg here, although five of that dozen were also due to compete at the Co Cork fixture. The best-placed of these at Tattersalls was the Kelley Hutchinson-owned and ridden HHS Piccini who, with 3.6 cross-country time penalties, finished second (36.9).

The comfortable winner on the day was the Jonny Steele-ridden Rockfall who completed on his dressage score of 29.8. Elizabeth Power held the first two places going into the show jumping phase but was eliminated when decanted from Caltra Western Dream (28.5) and subsequently withdrew the leader, Greenfort Gorgeous George (27). This was a first Novice win for Harold Lusk’s Financial Reward gelding Rockfall who was bred in Co Carlow by Mary Donoghue out of the Golden Trump mare, Healy Bop. With 12 points, the traditionally-bred Rockfall finished fourth in the series behind Derena Super Star (18), Woodendfarm Jack O D (14) and Derroon Diplomat (14).