CATHAL Daniels was Ireland’s highest-placed rider on the international eventing scene last weekend when finishing eighth in the CCI4*-L at the SsangYong Blenheim Palace international horse trials where the top four horses in the 86-strong class were all Irish-bred. Daniels was on board Jo Breheny’s home-bred LEB Lias Jewel on whom, earlier in the season, he won the CCIU253*-L at Tattersalls followed by CCI4*-S at Kilguilkey. The Limmerick mare was retired in the CCI4*-L at Millstreet and had a stop at Lisgarvan but she bounced back to form when landing the EI120 National Championship at Kilguilkey a fortnight ago.

The combination were lying 38th after dressage but being just a second over the time across the country on Saturday and with a clear show jumping round the following afternoon, completed on 32.4. The time penalty proved expensive. “I actually timed myself to be home a second under but, while I did query the penalty, I didn’t manage to get it changed. It cost me three places,” said a frustrated Daniels.