Full credit must go to Danny Dulohery and his team, for the massive work involved in keeping the track for the Fernhill Sport Horses International, in suitable condition to run the International at the weekend. The recent heatwave gave the organisers the huge task of working until the early hours of the morning on the track,. The ground was agrivated before almost 2 million litres of water went down, leaving the track in the best possible order.
The sun was relentless for both days of dressage, so the times for the cross country on Sunday were brought forward. The clouds moved in on Sunday morning, and people were spotted wearing extra jackets. This however was a welcome weather change for the competitors, as the horses had much more favourable conditions.
Fernhill Sport Horses International at Kilguilkey
CIC3* winner
Horseware Stellor Rebound_Sarah Ennis
First class to kick off the day was the Global Sport Horses CIC3*. Overnight leader was Sarah Ennis with her own 13 year old gelding, Horseware Stellor Rebound on 28.2 penalties, just ahead of Cathal Daniels and Sammy Davis Junior on 28.6 and Sophie Richards and SRS Adventure in third with 28.9. Time would prove critical at the top. Cathal Daniels completed cross country, clear with 2.4 time penalties, posing the challenge to Sarah Ennis, who although she had a little room for time, rode a superb round to finish with the only clear inside the time, giving her the victory.
The Top Spec CIC2* at Kilguilkey Winner: Kevin McNab and Willunga. Photo: EquusPix
The TopSpec CIC2* saw an Australian win for Kevin McNab with Lisa Fletcher’s Willunga. Surrey based McNab who won the Millstreet CCI2* title last year, was placed in the CCI2* at Tattersalls this year, so is in an excellent position for the €10,000 Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Challenge where riders are looking for league points at Irish International horse trials across the summer in the hope of winning the prize after the final leg in Ballindenisk in September. Cathal Daniels had to settle for second slot again with OLS King Aragon with Luke Coen with Stroke of Genius in third.
Fernhill Sport Horses International at Kilguilkey Plusvital CIC1* winner Fraser Duffy with Fernhill Sky High. Photo; EquusPix
Fraser Duffy took the pole position in the Plusvital CIC1* with the six year old Fernhill Sky High, owned by Carol Gee and Clare Corballis. Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti with Penhill Celtic took the second slot, with Brian Morrison in third with Global Ex .
Fernhill Sport Horses International at Kilguilkey
Eventing Ireland CCI* (Ponies) Ava Banahan with Regent Des Mauvis. Photo: EquusPix
Victory in the Eventing Ireland CIC* Pony class was taken by Ava Banahan with Regent de Mauvis, just ahead of Sophie Foyle Little Miss Fernhill and Chloe Fagan Fernhill Timbacktoo.
The Equissentials & Avalon CI Intro. Sharon Power & SRS Mini Vendi. Photo: EquusPix
The CI Intro (1.05m) sponsored by Equissentials and Avalon sponsored class saw Sharon Power win with her own seven-year-old gelding SRS Mini Vendi, with Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint in second, and Australia’s Kevin McNabb taking his second placing of the International with Grantstown Joules to come third.
