THREE national one-day events were held in Ireland since this column last appeared – Lightsource BP Tyrella (3), Hillcrest (1) and Frankfort Stud (3).

On Saturday, April 22nd at Tyrella (3), where she recorded one of only two show jumping clears within the time, Co Down’s Anna White was a runaway winner of the 10-strong EI110 (J) on her mother Lisa’s 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, Kilcoltrim Dora (by Contador).

There were eight starters in the equivalent competition the following day at Hillcrest where Kildare’s Tom Nestor made it three-for-three for the season when completing on his winning dressage score with his father David’s 11-year-old Jack Of Diamonds gelding, Cooley Diamond Dancer. Nestor holds a commanding lead in the Yeomanstown Stud league on 36 points.

There were only three show jumping clears in the 11-runner EI110 (J) at Frankfort Stud last Saturday when, on their fourth start together, Co Westmeath’s Ted O’Leary completed on his winning flat work mark with his new ride for this season, Paula Stammschroer’s 14-year-old Watermill Swatch gelding, Master Swatch.

First season

In her first season competing with Eventing Ireland, Kate Walsh has recorded three wins plus a second and third place finish from five rides at EI100 (J) level.

The first of those wins was posted before the period under review but the others came on Clare Corballis’ Connemara pony Beechtree Watchful at Hillcrest and on the same owner’s 2006 chesnut gelding Lisheen Fork Lightning at Frankfort Stud where there were 35 starters in the class. For good measure, Lisheen Fork Lightning was third at Hillcrest while Beechtree Watchful was second at Frankfort Stud.

Last season, Walsh and the 2011 Mirah’s Oyster Bandit gelding Beechtree Watchful were members of the Tipperary Toppers quartet who won the Intermediate teams’ competition at the Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club eventing championships at Tattersalls.

Having finished fourth at Tyrella (1) and third at Tyrella (2), Donaghcloney’s Lucy McDowell made it third time lucky at Tyrella (3) where she landed the EI100 (J) on her new ride for 2023, her father Michael’s eight-year-old Tolan R mare, Glenvine Codename R. They now lead the league on 26 points ahead of Izzy Barrett with BGS Mikado (22) and Kate Walsh with Lisheen Fork Lightning (20).