It's not usual to lead off with a three-runner class but much credit must go to the CNCJ* winner Conor Maguire, and his mother Anne, for competing with the home-bred Derroon Wood as they live in Ballymote, Co Sligo which is well off the beaten track for the sport.

Maguire used to be more interested in show jumping but began eventing in September 2012 and now prefers this discipline. Since starting in one-star company in July last year, he and Derroon Wood have rarely been out of the top 10 in nine outings and finished sixth in the CICJ* at Ballindenisk last month.