With many horses having their first starts of the spring season at Millstreet International Horse Trials (19-24 May) — and conditions being very wet — the emphasis was on clear, confident rounds rather than cross-country times.
Kevin McNab saddled four horses in the Connolly’s RED MILLS CCI3*S and claimed victory with one of them, Lone Ranger.
A 10-year-old gelding by Grandorada TN out of Pindia, Lone Ranger — owned by Kevin’s wife, Emma, alongside Jacinya Kinsella and Samia Murgian Hedger — scored 31.3 in the dressage phase and added only cross-country time faults to finish on 49.7.
Ireland’s Steven Smith was runner-up with You Neek (54.1), while cross-country leader Sam Watson dropped three rails in the show jumping to still secure third place on Nominator (54.5).
Kevin also finished fourth with eight-year-old grey mare Cassie (by Carleyle out of Easy Girl, by Exposé 5), owned by Alexa Gartenberg. The pair jumped a double clear to finish on 55.2. His other two rides in the class — Chanel RF and Newmarket Amy — contested only the dressage phase, with Chanel RF posting the only sub-30 score of 29.5.
Isabel English was also in action in the CCI3*S, producing a double clear to finish eighth with nine-year-old gelding Elysian Fields Prado (by Diarado out of Pamella) on 60.9. She also rode eight-year-old Cil Cara Dynamic (by Diamant de Quidam-H OLD out of Cil Dara Burlesque, by Balou du Rouet), who added just one show jumping rail and cross-country time faults to his dressage score.
Jonelle Price claims CCI4*S with gelding Senor Crocadillo
Leading New Zealand rider Jonelle Price — another regular visitor to Ireland’s premier event — claimed the feature CCI4*S, sponsored by Noel C. Duggan Structural Steel.
Riding Joe and Alexander Giannamore’s 12-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding Senor Crocadillo, Jonelle took the lead after cross-country and jumped clear in the final phase to score 39.5 and finish 6.5 penalties ahead of Sarah Ennis (46), the best of the Irish, who placed second on Dourough Ferro Class Act.
Ireland’s Sian Coleman (Carrowgar Je Taime Max) and Sam Watson (Ballybolger Goldman) finished third (50.7) and fourth (51.6) respectively, while Jonelle also took fifth place on her second ride, Grappa Nera (51.8).
Hannah Klep makes European CCI debut
Australian rider Hannah Klep — making her first international start outside Australia, aside from a run at Taupo, New Zealand, in 2019 — delivered an impressive performance to finish eighth in the CCI4*S with the 16-year-old gelding Tulara Chicouve (by Chico’s Boy out of Moschino, by Vancouver II). The pair jumped clear in both jumping phases, adding only cross-country time penalties to finish on 52.9.
Hannah and Tulara Chicouve last competed at CCI level in Australia, where they placed fourth in the CCI4*-S at the Adelaide Equestrian Festival.
“A beautiful dressage test, a clear cross country round in the heaviest mud we have ever seen, topped off with a clear show jump round was magic,” said Hannah following her ride with ‘Tully’. “A true champion after all the travel he has endured over the last couple of weeks.”
Isabel English and Cil Dara Bombay S finished just behind them at Millstreet, adding a single show jumping rail and cross-country time faults to post 53.9.
Ireland-based British rider John Tilley topped the Foran Equine CCI2*S on Grand Espoir. There were also home victories for Ian Cassells in the DAFM Coral Cove Championship CCI2*S for young horses on BT Just Special; Anna Radford in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Pony class on Essenar Double Dutch; and Nicky Roncoroni in the Carr & Day & Martin CCI1* Intro with Carrigshawn Ebony.
Kevin and Emma McNab also each had a ride in the CCI1* Intro, where they were placed third and fourth respectively after the dressage and jumping phases before opting not to run cross-country.
For full results from Millstreet International Horse Trials, click here.
All eyes now on FEI Eventing U-25 World Championship at Millstreet
All eyes now turn to Millstreet’s next big eventing occasion when the Duggan family will host the inaugural FEI Eventing U-25 World Championship presented by sponsor Connolly’s RED MILLS, at which teams of young riders are expected from all around the world (July 23-26) and preparations are already in hand on the cross-country course, designed by Great Britain’s Mike Etherington-Smith – who was also the course designed for Adelaide Equestrian Festival.
Equestrian Australia is yet to announce whether any Australian combinations will be selected for the event. Top under-25 riders competing at the required CCI4*S level – such as Oliver Barrett, Lamoza Velisha, Charlie Richardson, Edward Darby, Riley Lyall, Charlee Morton-Sharp and others – are generally based in Australia, presenting considerable travel costs should they be selected.
