Donagh Hickey Motors CCI2*-L

THE result in the CCI2*-L went right to wire, and in the final seconds, it handed a first international victory to the Co Down rider Jonathan Steele riding Brit Megahey’s R Showman. It was truly the stuff of dreams, and at ringside Steeles’s supporters could barely contain their delight.

“I feel a bit numb and it’s hard to believe,” he confessed. “I’ve ridden horses all my life, and run a yard of breakers, pre trainers and horses for schooling, so to win an international event is surreal.”

Heading into the final phase, Steele was in second spot behind the Australian veteran Bill Levett aboard the Irish-bred Shannondale Archie. To be honest, I’m sure Steele would have been happy enough to have retained this position and having produced two, foot-perfect rounds on his seven-year-old, he could have asked for nothing more. However, this is eventing, and when Levett’s grey tipped the second, Steele’s victory was assured.

Ironically, Steele credits Levett with shaping his career as he explained: “When I was young, I spent a year with Bill and he changed the way I worked with horses, and what he taught me remains with me today.”

Only a seven-year-old, and on track for a tilt at the championships in Le Lion d’Angers in October, R Showman was bred by Steele’s wife Clare together with Gilbert Graham, and is by Steele’s former eventing partner Centrestage (AES) out of Boleybawn Saris (OBOS Quality). Centrestage is now busy covering mares, and Steele was keen to offer thanks to his breeder John Reid, who has been a supporter throughout.

Bill Levett’s demotion to fifth opened the door for the remainder. In the tightest finish of the weekend, Britain’s Beatrice Montgomery, riding the Irish-bred Monbeg By Magic, also completed on her dressage score in second, as did Levett’s son Joshua who, set to follow in his father’s footsteps filled third with the experienced This Ones On You. Another home pairing to catch the eye was Rebecca Coughlan (Dantes Fernhill Lima) who completed on their dressage score in ninth,

The cross-country proved a good balance in this sector, with four picking up jumping errors from the field of 14.