MAKING her first visit to Kilguilkey for six years, Izzy Taylor renewed her liking for the sport in Co Cork when landing the feature CCI4*-L aboard the mare Carolines Air KM.

The pair opened in front on day one, and despite tipping a pole on the final day, were never headed. A 10-year-old, Carolines Air KM runs under the name of long-time supporter Trevor Dickens who, as a very lucky owner indeed, also owns the super star Badminton and Burghley-winning mare Vanir Kamira. Swiss-bred by Cassirado, Carolines Air was initially campaigned by Susie Berry and Piggy French before passing to Taylor two years ago.

“I’m just sorry Trevor couldn’t be here to see her,” said Taylor afterwards. “We had a bit of an upset at Blenheim 18 months ago, and it has taken her until now to really feel right. We did Bramham short format last month, which went well, so I came here to get the run in at the long format. Future plans are uncertain, but this was a good win to have under our belt.”

It was disappointing to see just six runners go to post, especially as so much work had gone into the lengthened track. Those who did run however, were full of praise for Ian Stark’s course which delivered five clear rounds and one elimination. The latter befell Alberto Guigni, who almost home and hosed, parted company with Galwaybay Talent at the log combination three from the finish.

With just five remaining on the final day, Tony Hurley’s show jumping track was both big and technical. Just two left the poles intact, among which was the second-placed Giovanni Ugolotti. The popular Italian, who has picked up top placings at both Millstreet and Ballindenisk earlier this year, retained his dressage position with the long format debutante Cloud K. A son of Peppermint de Buissy, Cloud K was bought in Germany as a six-year-old primarily for Ugolotti’s wife Kathryn (née Robinson) to ride.

“With our young son keeping her busy, Kathryn made the decision to concentrate on the young horses, leaving me to take over the ride this season,” he explained. “He’s now 10, and while he’s not the flashiest mover, he has a great brain, and gives me a great feeling when jumping. I think he could be a potential Olympic horse – but we (Italy) have to qualify first! I thought the track was great. It was a fair test, horses finished well and grew in confidence.”

Also jumping clear, Britain’s Nicole Mills slotted into third spot with the 13-year-old Dutch-bred Fearless W (by Azteca VDL). Mills, who breeds jumpers and event horses at Casewick Stud in Lincolnshire, bought the gelding from Tim and Antonia Brown five years ago. “We have now qualified for five-star, so we have big decisions to make!” she said.

The two Irish runners both met with varying degrees of misfortune. Steven Smith and Newferry Jagermeister were in third spot overnight heading into the country, but unfortunately carried the obligatory 11 penalties for dislodging a pin at the oxer (17). The pair eventually completed in fourth place, while Daragh Byrne was forced to call it a day in the show jumping when Kilcannon Ramiro downed tools after the third.