HAVING been beset by cancellations, the entire quota of the world’s five-star showcases ran for the first time since the pandemic.

As usual the series kicked off in Kentucky where, as Ireland’s sole representative Joseph Murphy flew the flag in the best possible way. Teaming up with the grey Calmaro, the Co Meath born rider made the long journey more than worthwhile, and adding only time penalties to an otherwise foot-perfect performance, he completed in ninth spot behind the indomitable winning machine that is Michael Jung.

The German superstar partnered the much-admired fischerChipmunk FRH, who having posted an incredible 11-point advantage, set a new record finishing score of 20.1 at the level, headed the comparatively inexperienced but rapidly emerging British duo of Yasmin Ingham and Banzai de Loir.

Germany’s Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH set a new five-star record of 20.1 when winning the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event \ Allison Pezzack Photo

A much larger squad of six combinations made the line-up at an incident filled Badminton in May. Never afraid to challenge, course designer Eric Winter delivered a true test of skill, and while it made for uncomfortable viewing at times, it produced a worthy winner in Britain’s Laura Collett and London 52 and was a triumph for Irish-bred horses who produced three of the top five placings.

Topping the Irish sextet, the evergreen Austin O’Connor completed in eighth place with his Olympic hero Colorado Blue. Landing his best result since partnering Simply Rhett into fourth spot an astonishing 23 years earlier, O’Connor and the flying grey, produced two immaculate jumping rounds added only time faults to their opening score. Susie Berry, who was destined to enjoy her best season to date, teamed up with John The Bull and was also notable to feature in the top 20.

Forays to Luhmühlen and Aachen followed with mixed results, the best of which was Joseph Murphy’s very creditable fourth place in the latter. Once again, Murphy piloted the head-turning grey Calmaro, and on the back yet of another good result, looked to have secured his ticket to the World Championships. Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty, who had made their senior debut at Boekelo the preceding autumn, also did themselves proud with a top-20 finish.

Meanwhile, back in England, a busy Susie Berry kept clocking up the placings around the country among which was fifth spot in the very competitive Bramham CCI4*-L

FEI World championships

With the World Equestrian Games looming, Dag Albert had some difficult decisions to make, and his task was not made easier when team stalwart Cathal Daniels ruled himself out of contention.

Daniels’ decision to run the veteran Rioghan Rua at Burghley was understandable, but it did leave a hole in the qualified horses available. As a result, Ireland was among the last countries to announce their WEG squad, with Albert finally listing Padraig McCarthy (Fallulah), Susie Berry (Monbeg By Design), Austin O’Connor (Colorado Blue) Sam Watson (SAC Talisman) and Joseph Murphy with Calmaro.

Most unfortunately however, a last-minute training set back with Calmaro prevented Murphy from taking his place, leaving Felicity Ward to step up with the inexperienced Regal Bounty.

Spirits were high setting out, and while the task ahead was formidable it was also doable. A disappointing start however, saw team Ireland filling 12th place out of the 16 teams after dressage, but that was soon to change when all four riders galloped home clear across Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s testing course in the country. This impressive performance saw the team rise a huge seven places, to eventually hold fifth spot going into the final day.

Thrilling

Few would have predicted the influence of Uliano Vezzani’s show jumping track, but with just 12 clear rounds from the 68 who set out, it was to produce one of the most thrilling finales in the history of the competition, As the rails fell and the favourites faulted, the mathematicians were hard at work, and the battle for the medals intensified. In the end, the individual honours fell to Britain’s championship first-timer Yasmin Ingham (Banzai du Loir) who, always well placed, completed less than a fence ahead of the reigning Olympic champion Julia Krajewski (Amanda de B’Neville) and with New Zealander Tim Price (Falco) taking the bronze.

One of the biggest surprises was the demotion of the highly fancied British squad, but benefiting, Germany moved up to snatch gold, from team USA and finally New Zealand in bronze.

Meanwhile, and despite the retirement of Felicity Ward’s Regal Bounty, team Ireland’s prospects were boosted by a brilliant show jumping clear by Susie Berry (Monbeg By Design) which left them retaining their fifth position together with the accompanying qualification.

Autumn internationals

Irish riders were out on force to contest the full range of internationals that were staged in Britain throughout the summer. All had varying success, with probably the best result falling to Berry, whose growing string of equine talent included Kilcandra Capitol, who picked up a fifth placing at the CCI4*-L at Blair.

The main autumn focus however centred on Burghley, which was running for the first time in three years. American designer Derek di Grazia made his debut at the helm, and making every use of the famous Burghley undulations, he designed a true five-star test.

Ireland’s competing trio of Padraig McCarthy (HHS Noble Call), Susie Berry (Ringwood LB) and Cathal Daniels (Rioghan Rua) met with mixed fortunes, with McCarthy emerging as the only finisher to land a creditable top-20 placing. Once again however, Irish-bred horses shone, with Piggy French taking the blue riband event with the former Badminton winner Vanir Kamira, from Tom Jackson with fellow Irish-bred Capels Hollow Drift.

Hot on the heels of Burghley was Blenheim, where heading a large Irish contingent Esib Power and Senza Fine picked up a 12th spot in the long format four-star and Sarah Ennis also enjoyed a good run to fill fifth in the CCI4*S.

As the season drew slowly to a close, another sizeable Irish group travelled to Boekelo, where emerging on top from a list of notable results, Susie Berry rode into eighth place with her new ride Clever Trick (aka Kilcandra Bonnie Reward).

Moving to the final five-star show case in France, New Zealand world number two Jonelle Price narrowly held the advantage at Pau. Riding Grappa Nera, she finished less than a mark ahead of the French hero Karim Florent Laphouag (Triton Fontaine), while as Ireland’s sole representative, Alex Donohoe travelled home with a creditable completion with Guidam Roller.

Close

Dag Albert added to his already busy schedule and his airmiles, when he was engaged as manager for the WBFSH young horse championships Le Lion d’Angers. A late appointment, but one he relished, he was rewarded by a number of good performances, and through Ian Cassells, came so close to taking home a medal.

The consistent partnership of Cassells and Gerry and Fiona Leahy’s seven-year-old Rosconnell Alto were in touch throughout, but by adding an agonising time fault in the final phase, the pair eventually completed in fifth.