New Zealand’s Tim Price celebrated his climb to the No. 1 spot in the Eventing World Rankings with victory in the George Mernagh Memorial CCI4*-S at Tattersalls International Horse Trials where best of the Irish finishers was Sam Watson who lined up fourth with Tullabeg Flamenco.
Riding Ascona M, Price proved untouchable after establishing the early lead in Dressage and added only 1.2 showjumping penalties to finish ahead of Japan’s Kazumo Tomoto and Vinci de la Vigne JRA in runner-up spot.
There was an emotional win for Cathal Daniels in the Connolly’s Red Mills U253*-L (video below). Holding first and second places overnight, Galway-born Daniels steered the nine-year-old mare LEB Lias Jewel to a clear showjumping round on the final day to move into pole position after his leading ride, OLS King Aragon, dropped to sixth with a pole down. Daniels was presented with a special trophy by his winning horse’s owner, Jo Breheny, in memory of Jo’s daughter Laura who passed away 10 years ago.
British riders were in flying form at the Irish fixture as always, with William Fox-Pitt topping the Eventing Ireland CCI3*-L with Georgisaurous, John Paul Sheffield and Woodlander Wesuvio taking the honours in the Land Rover CCI2*-L and Izzy Taylor and PSH Gazelle winning the Irish Field CCI4*-L. Partnering Samuel Thomas ll, Ireland’s Esib (Elizabeth) Power, daughter of showjumping legend Con Power and sister of jockey Robbie Power, slotted into fourth behind Taylor having rocketed up from 21st to 6th after a brilliant cross-country round on Saturday and improving another two places in the final showjumping phase.
And, riding Hartacker, Taylor also triumphed in the Cooley Farm CCIYH2*-L in which Ireland’s Sarah Ennis lined up third with Shanbo Sky Fall. Chloe Fagan and Versace Biscuit won the Horseware Junior title and Grace Tyrell claimed pole position in the Berney Bros. Pony 2*-L.
Below, Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy and HHS Noble Call competing in the Eventing Ireland 3*-L