Phillip Dutton on Fernhill Revelation flies the spectacular Irish Field Mound
A large crowd of 15,000 people enjoyed the international equestrian action and country fair in the Co Meath countryside in Tattersalls on Saturday. Amidst bursts of sunshine the big crowd was treated with the ever exciting popular, spectacular Ian Stark designed cross country course with the jumps at the popular water complexes and Irish Field Mound being the most popular vantage point to view the Roger Federers, Rory McIlroys and Cristiano Ronaldos of the eventing world.
The shopping village consisting of local artisan foods, pancakes, gourmet burgers, arts, crafts, country clothing reported a brisk trade and the jumping mini ponies proved to be really popular with the youngsters. The international sporting event with 18 Olympians and World stars amongst the 343 participants is one of the most important events in the sporting calendar and this week over 10,000 people from 8 countries watching it live online up to yesterday evening. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the finale tomorrow consisting of more cross country action as well as show jumping.
Oliver Townend and Menlo Park
Several classes drew to a close on Saturday with the ever popular 6 and 7 year old event, the Cooley Farm CCIYH1* being won by Oliver Townend on his Menlo Park with a score of 42.4. William Fox-Pitt took second and third with his promising pair The Graduate and Shannondale Percy scoring 45.5 and 45.6 respectively and New Zealand’s James Avery took fourth on Vitali
The Land Rover CCI1* was won by New Zealand’s Tim Price on Falco with a 37.9 score with Irish rider Michael Ryan on Kilpipe Jewel coming in second on 42.8 and Britain’s Tom Jackson in third riding Court Casper
Presentation of the Land Rover CCI1* (l-r) Ireland's Micheal Ryan on Kilpipe Jewel, (2nd place), New Zealand's Tim Price on Falco, (1st place) and Britain's Tom Jackson on Court Casper (3rd)
Tim also still leads the Eventing Ireland CCI2* riding Kincooley Cruising on 38.3 with France’s Arthur Duffort, who recently had a win at Chatsworth, in second place on Cemie and Vittoria Panizzon in third place riding One Night Love going into the final showjumping phase tomorrow with less than a rail between them
The junior competition Kubota CCIJ1* was won by the young Irish Alex Power who added just a single point to his original dressage score leading from start to finish on 42.5 whist the CCI1* pony competition was won by Sophie Foyle for Ireland who again led throughout her event finishing with a score of 46.
Vittoria Panizzon on Chequers Play The Game
In the Irish Field CCI3* Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon on her Chequers Play The Game had a flawless cross country round to stay on her dressage score and stay in the lead going into tomorrow’s final show jumping phase. She has one rail in hand over Piggy French in second place on her lovely Quarrymount Echo and Phillip Dutton is flying the flag for the USA in third place. Australia’s Ben Leahy has moved up from 26th after the dressage into 15th place on Yasmina V
The CCI2* Under 25 event is still an all British affair with Millie Dumas on her Cameya with a great score of 36.5, Sam Ecroyd riding Tullaher Sunrise in second and Tom Jackson currently in third on Courvoisier.
The final cross country phase takes place on Sunday for the FEI Nations Cup competition and any of the top three teams could emerge as winners with less than one penalty point between third placed Ireland and second placed Britain, who are just seven penalties behind the leaders.
The French team of Luc Chateau, Raphael Cochet, Sidney Dufresne still lead on 133.6, Team GB’s counting scores from Oliver Townend (MHS King Joules), Nicky Roncoroni (Watts Burn) and Kitty King (Vendredi Biats) total 139.1 and Ireland’s Sarah Ennis, Sam Watson and Cathal Daniels are currently on a combined score of 140.0
In the individual rankings Ireland’s Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound have the hopes of a nation riding with her, currently in second place overnight in the CIC3* just 0.5 points behind French rider Luc Chateau on his Propiano de l’Ebat. However the very on form Oliver Townend is lurking close behind both of them riding the very fast MHS King Joules making it a thrilling finale
And when you're not watching eventing, there's always time for ice cream with friends!
