ANOTHER combination to do the “double” and win at both internationals at Ballindenisk this year was Ciara O’Connor and her mother Sharon’s home-bred, Ashwood Rio (ISH). The junior rider put in a very confident performance across all three phases to secure CCI2*-L victory on the six-year-old by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (BEWB). Joanne Jarden (IRL) and Paula Geiger (IRL) awarded a score of 28.3 penalties to O’Connor, leaving her in second place after dressage, combined with two faultless jumping rounds meant that she remained on that score and added another international win to her belt.

“We bred him and have done everything with him and he’s just so special,” O’Connor said after her win. “He’s finished for the year now, but I’d like to aim him at Le Lion d’Angers for the seven-year-olds next year.”