Kevin McNab and Willunga at Les Etoiles de Pau 2017 where they finished second in the CIC2*
Australia’s Kevin McNab led from start to finish in the CIC2* at the Fernhill Sport Horse Kilguilkey International Horse Trials last weekend, a win that has put him on top of the table in the Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Challenge
Set in the heart of Duhallow country in Ireland, eight nations and over 200 riders competed at the event which is now in its sixth year. Olympic and World Championship Cross Country course designer Mike Etherington-Smith, working closely with event organiser Danny Dulohery, designed the cross country tracks at three, two and one star level and many of the riders would have been hoping to see ideas of what Etherington-Smith may be planning for the European Eventing Championship course he will design at Luhmühlen (GER) in 12 months time.
The Fernhill Sport Horses Kilguilkey International Horse Trials forms part of the €10,000 Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Challenge where riders are vying for league points at Irish International horse trials across the summer in the hope of putting their name on the cheque at the final leg in Ballindenisk, Co. Cork in September.
Kevin’s win on the 11 year old gelding Willunga at Kilguilkey International gave him 100 points to add to the 45 points he picked up at Tattersalls, where he finished third in the CCI2* on Brookfield Quality, putting him on top of the leader board (145 points) with Britain’s Piggy French and Pippa Funnell in second (100 points) and third places (65 points)
Ireland’s Cathal Daniels and Luke Coen picked up 2nd and 3rd places respectively in the CIC2* at Kilguilkey, putting them in equal third and fifth places on the Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Challenge
With a €10,000 BONUS up for grabs and six classes left in the challenge, we’re guessing Kevin might be a regular visitor across the water this year to maintain his lead and try to pick up that bonus
