ARRIVING at Millstreet with two lorries full of horses as well as two children and the accompanying entourage, Jonelle and Tim Price were among the busiest riders over the weekend.

Jonelle had mixed fortunes, but finally came out on top to win the Donagh Hickey Motors CCI2*L. Riding the seven-year-old Fernhill Kankan, Price opened in second spot behind her compatriot Virginia Thompson (Katchafire) and, heading a trio of Irish challengers, she was one of only three to keep a clean sheet (31.0).

Another to be owned by Therese Miller (owner of Senza Fine), this time in partnership with Julia Lukas, the mare Fernhill Kankan was sourced from Carol Gee last year. “Carol always thought she would suit me and she was right,” said Price.

“We had seen her a few months earlier and left her, but Carol eventually sent her over and in turn we sold her to Terry. She was a bit behind for her age, so we took to Spain jumping in the spring. This meant we could really crack on eventing on our return, and while I didn’t expect to win today, she’s very intelligent, good with her feet and will have learnt a lot this week.”

Her breeding is yet to be recorded, but she is by Kannan and bred by Brian O’Malley from Co Sligo/Mayo border.

The leaderboard changed shape on Saturday evening, which was largely due to time penalties. Virginia Thompson squandered her lead when Katchafire added a costly 6.8, but some brilliant rounds by a host of Irish riders put several back into contention.

Time aside, the cross-country rode well, with just two failing to complete. The following day, the order changed again, when the show jumping proved testing and the time tight. In the end just four of the 32 starters recorded clear rounds, among which was Ireland’s Aoife Clark, aboard the French-bred Fetiche Des Rouges.

Promoted to the second spot, Clark was more than happy with the son of L’Arc du Triomphe, who is owned by the Ace of Spades syndicate. The seven-year-old had competed lightly in France under Cedric Layard, but still short of mileage only moved up to the two-star ranks this spring.

“I think he will be brilliant and I’m really excited about it,” enthused the rider. “This was a big question for him, and while he still needs to learn to gallop, he’s out of a thoroughbred dam, and feels class.” Clark also added how much she has been enjoying producing these young horses commenting: “While I have missed my top-level horses, I love to see progression in the youngsters which is a huge part of the enjoyment.”

Big result

Chasing the winner all the way, but clocking up a few costly time faults en route, Dublin-based young rider Clodie Coen held on to her opening third position. This was undoubtedly the biggest result of her career so far, and this first season partnership with the former British junior and young rider team horse Union Fortunas (Heritage Fortunas) looks a promising one.

Bred by John Breen, this former show jumper was evented in England by Daisy Amin and Phoebe Locke before moving back to his homeland last year. “I had seen him competing and always loved him, so when he came up for sale, we had to try to buy him,” said Coen who, in her first year in young riders, is based with and trained by Louise Bloomer at Brennanstown.

Clustering well, fellow underage rider Godfrey Gibbons was another to be caught by the clock, but he will have been thrilled with his fourth place with his own and his mother Marie’s Milchem Free Spirit.

Another former show jumper, the Ralph Conroy-bred mare is by Contra A, and started eventing two years ago. Slotting into sixth behind Sam Ecroyd, Patrick Whelan looked good with Altitu, as did Esib Power with the seventh-placed Oakland Quality.