Thirty-year-old Ian Cassells from Newcastle, Co Dublin, had an early start and a very busy day at Loughanmore on Saturday, with five rides spread amongst the three EI 115 classes.
However, he had plenty to celebrate on the way home, as he won all three classes and took two third placings, which was no small feat in the pool of talented runners.
The weather gods were certainly on side for once, as the bright sunshine served to show the fabulous 17th century demesne off to maximum effect.
The show jumping and start of cross-country took place in full view of the magnificent house, which provided a photographer’s paradise. The extensive acreage of the estate allowed for five top class galloping courses, designed by Adam Stevenson, which provided plenty of technical challenges across the board, including many thrills and spills.
The EI 115 Advanced class, where riders complete an Advanced Dressage test and show jump at 1.20m, but do the cross-country at 1.15m, had nine starters with eight completions.
FEI Dressage Judge, Joanne Jarden, reserved her top marks for Ian Cassells, riding ‘Master Point’, an 11-year-old gelding by ‘Pointilliste’, bred and still owned by a syndicate of Bridget and Brian McGing and Ian Cassells. They led from the outset and, despite lowering a coloured pole, finished with a 13-point advantage over second placed Declan Cullen riding ‘Ultimate Quality’, a 10-year-old gelding sired by ‘OBOS Quality’. Declan had two horses in the class and picked up a fourth placing with ‘Seavaghan Ash’.
The EI 115 Open class of seven starters saw Ian Cassells take the win with ‘Millridge Athos’, an eight-year-old gelding owned by Gerry Leahy and sired by the Thoroughbred stallion, ‘Grand Gayle’. They moved up one spot from dressage after the early leader, Suzanne Hagan and ‘Karolita O’, were given four show jumping penalties and had to be content with second place.
Ian Cassells took his third win of the day on ‘Inquisitor’, again with a wide margin in excess of 12 points, in the EI 115 class, where 12 were counted down by Co Louth’s John Melvin. ‘Inquisitor’ is a seven-year-old gelding, owned and bred by Eventing Ireland Board Director, Bridget McGing and sired by ‘Coroner’. They landed a pillar-to-post win, adding just two cross-country time penalties to their fabulous first-phase mark of 21.6, awarded by FEI Judge, Vanda Stewart.
Sian Coleman finished in second place with ‘Carrowgar Je T’aime Max’, an 11-year-old gelding by ‘Je T’Aime Flamenco’ and owned by Gina Heaps.
Killyleagh rider, Joseph Murphy, certainly made his presence felt in the EI 110 Open class, where he occupied the top three positions. He took the win on ‘Choclat’, a 13-year-old ‘Contendro’ gelding, who was making his first appearance on home turf this season. He maintained his opening score of 24, awarded by Joanne Jarden, to finish fractionally ahead of ‘My Foxhall Kit’, an eight-year-old mare by ‘Orestus’, who finished in the same position at Hillcrest, five days earlier.
One of the fuller classes on Saturday was the EI 110 where 18 came before Angeline Nicholson. She awarded her top marks to Sarah Ennis, who, unfortunately, parted company with both ‘Dolmen Stellar Design’ and ‘Nycarlos’ in the water. This paved the way to success for 19-year-old University student, Rebekah McKinstry, riding ‘HVL Jack Pot’, an eight-year-old ‘Lux Z’ gelding, owned by her father and greatest supporter, Aaron McKinstry.
This partnership has not been an easy one and is a great reflection of how hard, painstaking work and commitment does pay off. Rebekah, who is going into second year of Biomedicine and works with Clare Abbott during her break from University, has been knocking on the door of success all season, so the Loughanmore win has been justifiable reward for all those endeavours. She is a girl with a mission and her next goal is to compete at Ballindenisk International in September.
Another very hard-working young lady, Janie Cairns, occupied the runner-up spot on ‘Zambia Touch’, just marginally adrift. This six-year-old gelding, sired by ‘Zambia’, is owned by Mark Emerson and has been clocking up some good results this season, including at Ash Hollow last week.
Erin McClernon and ‘Seapatrick Beachball’ are another ‘heavenly match’, who have been proving their worth this season. Erin is studying A-levels at Ballyclare High School and just started eventing three years ago. Lying second after dressage and receiving four show jumping penalties, they crossed the finish line clear and inside the time to give them a six-point margin over the dressage leader, Ciara O’Connor and ‘Cooley Rebound’, a nine-year-old bay gelding, owned by Cooley Farm. They were the only combination of the 11 starters to keep a clean show jumping slate.
Three of the five EI 110 P riders had a completion score with Newtownabbey girl, Holly Ross, taking the top two spots. She claimed the win on ‘Ech Feirin’, her mother’s 13-year-old Connemara pony, with whom she won the CCIP2*S at Ballindenisk International in April. Holly came second with ‘Star of Hollymount’, who received Joanne Jarden’s top marks in the first phase, but was relegated to second after knocking three fences in show jumping.
Baking suprema, Nichola Wray, proved that her Ash Hollow result with ‘Dylan’ was no flash in the pan, as they stormed to victory for the second successive week in a class where they provided the only clear show jumping round. Kim Constable, the generous donor of the weekly volunteer cash prizes, was sitting in first place after dressage with ‘Urneypark Big Cat’, but, an unfortunate fence show jumping moved them down to second.
The award for Loughanmore’s best dressage mark of the day was won by Samantha Dale and ‘Threeseas’, whom organisers were delighted to see coming out of eventing ‘retirement’ this year to take the world by storm. It was a case of ‘déjà vu’, as Samantha won a Pre-Novice class at Loughanmore in 1987!
She has been gradually improving her placings week on week with ‘Threeseas’, her 13-year-old mare by ‘Ars Vivendi’, whom she bought as a three-year-old from Goresbridge sales. Vanda Stewart awarded them an incredible 18.8, which was their completion score, giving them almost three points advantage over another young lady, well known for her winnings, Ciarrai Rice and ‘Lady J’.
Meantime, while Philip Swann was busy fence judging, surrounded by a posse of helpers, his daughter Rachel was picking out a third placed rosette for her faultless performance with his horse, ‘Tignabruaich’.
It was certainly a good day for Team Constable, because while Kim was taking second place in the EI 110 Amateur class, her daughter, Maya was winning the EI 100 P class with ‘Rockon Pedro’, for the third time this year. They led from the outset and finished ahead of another one of the Northern Region’s rising stars, Tilley Tumilty and ‘Millbarr Phynix’, her mother, Lisa’s, Connemara pony by ‘Ballinavilla Prince’, who had no problems across a strong cross-country track.
Hannah Groves, a pupil at Smith Brothers Eventing, had plenty to be smiling about in the EI 100 J class, where she got top six placings with her two horses. She took the win on ‘The Kings Ransom’, a gelding by ‘Kings Master’, owned by Ann Bowe. They added nothing to their first-phase score of 30.5 awarded by Coreen Abernethy. Soul-Be Courtney moved into second place with ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, just under four points adrift, also keeping a clean sheet across both jumping phases.
The EI 100 class, which was heavily subscribed, proved that Janet Hall was most impressed with Amanda Goldsbury and ‘Hot Socks Z’, a very striking seven-year-old grey gelding by ‘Heart Touch’, who was enjoying his first outing under EI rules. Undoubtedly, more will be seen of this combination, as they move up the grades.
Alex Houston was just fractionally behind with ‘My Atlantic Encore’, the home-bred ‘Centrestage’ mare, who had three top class successive runs, including a win at Ash Hollow last week.
Katie McKee and ‘Water Paint’ continued their good run, taking a win this week after a duo of consecutive second placings. She retained her opening score of 24 and was one of only two riders in the class to keep all show jumps standing. Sophie Cowan, competing for the fourth time this season, took second place with ‘Tempo Quickstep’, a 12-year-old mare by ‘Lougherne Quick Step’, who has been very consistent with her placings.
Kaiti McCann is currently juggling her commitments with Game of Thrones and her sport of eventing, but it was great to see how pleased she was to be back on board ‘Boyher Cookies N Crème’ in the EI 90 class, where she took centre stage. That was never in doubt, as she was leading from the ‘off’ on Coreen Abernethy’s mark of 25.3, which was her completion score. Kaiti halted Ian McCluggage’s attempt to make it a quartet of wins in the class with Lindsay Martin’s ‘Meadowspring’, the seven-year-old gelding by ‘Gortfree Hero’, who had to settle for second place on this occasion.
There are so many of the younger riders, who are impressive with their hard work and determination to succeed and one of those is 15-year-old Gracie Thompson-Logan from Ballycastle, who took the win in the EI 90 P class with ‘Fiddain Dash’, owned by Katie Thompson, finishing on her dressage score of 24.3. This made up for the disappointment of a fall at Ash Hollow and replicated her success at Hazeldene 4. 16-year-old Poppy McMurray from Belfast finished second on her first full event, riding the very accomplished pony, ‘Finding Nemo’.
Corey Mawhinney judged the EI 80 class of 20, where he awarded his top marks to Martha McMurray and ‘Woodrow Rosewood’, who, unfortunately, went on to get eliminated for a cross-country fall. This paved the way for local vet, Kathryn Henderson, to gallop into the lead and cross the finish line within the optimum time to claim the red rosette with her ‘Builders Delight’ mare, ‘Mocking Bird’.
A delighted Gillian Neill came in marginally behind on her ‘Lancelot’ gelding, ‘The Crafty Fox’, to take second place, following a win at Tullymurry 2.
Northern Region is deeply indebted to Wilson and Lorraine Dennison and their family for opening the gates of this superb venue. It really is the jewel in the Northern Region crown.
Thank you to Adam Stevenson and Aaron McCusker for their amazing tracks, which certainly provided plenty of education in all phases.
As ever, thank you to all the volunteers, who are simply amazing selfless friends, who give up their Saturdays to allow the sport to function. Organisers wish all Northern Region members ‘Good Luck’, as they head to the International next weekend at Lisgarvan and also wish Molly Evans the best of good luck, as she has been selected to compete for Ireland in the Nations Cup at Arville.
GO MOLLY AND WELLAN GRAFFITI!
The Volunteers’ prizes this week went to:
£200 kindly sponsored by Kim Constable – Fiona Linehan (Fence Judge)
£50 kindly sponsored by Kim Constable – Evelyn Ferres (Dressage Call Up)
Wine – Evelyn Ferres (Afternoon Hospitality)
RESULTS
Saturday, August 10
Loughanmore
EI 115 Advanced:
1) Ian Casssells, Master Point; 2) Declan Cullen, Ultimate Quality; 3) Sarah Dowley, Bonmahon Liberation; 4) Declan Cullen, Seavaghan Ash; 5) Heather O’Connor, HSH Has It All; 6) Casey Webb, Aprils Pacino Time.
EI 115 Open:
1) Ian Casssells, Millridge Athos; 2) Suzanne Hagan, Karolita O; 3) Ian Cassells, Shanbo Super Flex; 4) Joseph Murphy, Belline Fighting Spirit; 5) Sian Coleman, Kilroe Frolic.
EI 115:
1) Ian Cassells, Inquisitor; 2) Sian Coleman, Carrowgar Je T’Aime Max; 3) Ian Cassells, AFS Ralph; 4) Lucy McDowell, Glenvine Codename R; 5) Godfrey Gibbons, Kilroe Lego Land; 6) Godfrey Gibbons, Kilnamac Kasu.
EI 110 Open:
1) Joseph Murphy, Choclat; 2) Joseph Murphy, My Foxhall Kit; 3) Joseph Murphy, Dstud Flirtation; 4) Sian Coleman, Ballyvonare Rascal; 5) Casey Webb, Ballygreenan Break Point; 6) Ralph Robinson, Dermish Chill.
EI 110:
1) Rebekah McKinstry, HVL Jackpot; 2) Janie Cairns, Zambia Touch; 3) Rafael Sanctuary, Nasphar; 4) Jonathan Steele, Somerville Springheeled; 5) Anita Doherty, Goldiva; 6) Amanda Goldsbury, HHS Versace.
EI 110 J:
1) Erin Mcclernon, Seapatrick Beachball; 2) Ciara O’Connor, Cooley Rebound; 3) Isabella Gogan, Ardeo Copperton Kryptonite; 4) Tom Nestor, Coolafancy; 5) Connie Cullen, Grafenstolz Distinction; 6) Kate Fahey, Lissyegan Cooley.
EI 110 P:
1) Holly Ross, Ech Feirin; 2 )Holly Ross, Star of Hollymount; 3) Tadgh O’Haire, Expat’s Fireworks.
EI 110 Amateur:
1) Nichola Wray, Dylan; 2) Kim Constable, Urneypark Big Cat; 3) Britt Megahey, R Showman.
EI 100 Amateur:
1) Samantha Dale, Threeseas; 2) Ciarrai Rice, Lady J; 3) Rachel Williams, Tignabruaich; 4) Ros Morgan, Vos Surprise; 5) Lucy Toombs, Bluestone Ice; 6) Megan Stewart, Hilltop Sid.
EI 100 P:
1) Maya Constable, Rockon Pedro; 2) Tilley Tumilty, Millbarr Phynix; 3) Robyn Rice, Holiday Kruising; 4) Jessica O’Ryan, Fanta Cross.
EI 100 J:
1) Hannah Groves, The Kings Ransom; 2) Soul-Be. Courtney, The Dark Knight Rises; 3) Andrew Moore, The Blue Diamond; 4) Katie Robinson, Ophelia Cruise; 5) Alice Salters, Wilderwood Silveroo; 6) Hannah Groves, MMF Churchill.
EI 100:
1) Amanda Goldsbury, Hot Socks Z; 2) Alex Houston, My Atlantic Encore; 3) Steven smith, Annaghmore Cornoko; 4) Alex Byrne, Major Cross; 5) Lucca Stubington, Roundthorn Minerva; 6) Anna White, Squeaks Bubble.
EI 100 T:
1) Alison Baird, TMS Freya; 2) Freya Kennedy, Roughan Balou; 3) Jonathan Hagan, Bubblegum; 4) Tori Jewiss, Nelson.
EI 90 Amateur:
1) Katie McKee, Water Paint; 2) Sophie Cowan, Tempo Quickstep; 3) Bernadette Muirhead, Out of the Blue; 4) Ailbhe McGrath, Bridgemans Mojito; 5) Pauline Blair, Charley Brown; 6) Emma Wallace, WantsandNeeds.
EI 90:
1) Kaiti McCann, Boyher Cookies N crème; 2) Ian McCluggage, Meadowspring; 3) Emma Irwin, PSH Lets Tango; 4) Erin Mathieson, DG Cool Dawn; 5) Rachel Fletcher, Twice The Spice; 6) Elaine O’Connor, Tullymurry Masha.
EI 90 P:
1) Gracie-Thompson-Logan, Fiddain Dash; 2) Poppy McMurray, Finding Nemo; 3) Mya McMullan, Edenmore Apache; 4) Aimee-Leigh Bailie, Villa Prince; 5) Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; 6) Emily Turley, Budore Mystic Legend.
EI 90 T:
1) Ciara Muirhead, Hanslough; 2) Wendley Findlay, Hill Farm Pebble; 3) Freya Kennedy, Silver Reflection MPS; 4) Cara MacNabb, Tyrella Midnight; 5) Ellie McElroy, Loughdoo Maverick; 6) Leah Knight, Hesh Hansfree.
EI 80:
1) Kathryn Henderson, Mocking Bird; 2) Gillian Neill, The Crafty Fox; 3) Tabitha Cullen, Marl Gladiator; 4) Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; 5) Jonathan West, Monmurry Sovereign; 6) Ella Lindsay, Don Pablo.
EI 80 T:
1) Victoria Brown, Dunrath Percy; 2) George Newton, Simply Radical; 3) Leah Knight, Phoebe.