JONNY Mulligan has just recently extended his own yard at home in Banbridge and had the ideal start for the eventing side of the business when winning Section B of the EI100 at Tyrella last Saturday, the opening day of the 2021 Northern Region season.

His successful mount, on whom he led from start to finish in the 19-strong class, was Western Johnny (26 penalties) who owner, Graham Duncan, purchased last summer from the Dixon family. The lightly campaigned nine-year-old Lancelot gelding was bred in Co Tyrone by Declan Taggart for whom he amassed 10 Show Jumping Ireland points in 2016 and 2017. Out of the Western Promise mare, Miss Western Belle, Western Johnny is due to start in the EI110 back at Tyrella today.