Sinead Halpin and Tate on course at Millstreet. Photo courtesy of Millstreeting International Horse Trials.
The Millstreet Ireland International Horse Trials lived up to its reputation as a strong test of horsemanship today as riders from Ireland, Great Britain, the United States and beyond tackled the slightly rainy Mike Etherington-Smith course.
Thirty competitors started the final phase in the CIC3* today and most were able to make it home successfully, though few could make the time. Among the double clears was Izzy Taylor (GBR) aboard Be Touchable, who clinched the win by finishing on their dressage score of 39.5. Izzy has had the ride on the ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding since last August and this is their fourth FEI finish in the top three.
Irishwoman Sarah Ennis piloted Horseware Stellor Rebound to a runner-up finish that added just 2.8 time time penalties on cross country to their final score of 45.80.
Jesse Campbell of New Zealand took third aboard Kaapachino, a 13-year-old gelding owned by M.E. Kent. Though the pair had a rail in show jumping, they were able to pop up from fifth to third by being one of only three double clears in the final phase, finishing on 46.6 points.
Americans Sinead Halpin and Kylie Lyman both finished in the top ten with clear cross country rounds and low time faults. Sinead and longtime partner Manoir de Carneville added a show jumping rail and four time penalties on cross country to finish in sixth place.
Sinead Halpin and Tate. Photo by Radka Preisler.
“The course was tough, but the ground was amazing and the weather was cool and a little rainy, which was perfect, ” Sinead told EN after her round. “The course had three waters and an Irish bank, which I had to ask David (O’Connor) how to ride because I don’t think I have ever jumped one!”
Kylie Lyman and Lup the Loop. Photo by Radka Preisler.
As was the case in the CIC division, time changed the CCI3* leaderboard considerably, and a double clear was the surefire way to move up after cross country. Only two riders were able to hit the finish flags under the time allowed of 10:07, though they both cleared it by a mile. Irish native Aoife Clark and Pink Gin moved from second after dressage into first with a 50.80 after coming in a blazing seven seconds under the time.
Fellow Irishmen Michael Ryan missed the time by just .40 penalties, but it was still enough to move from sixth to second aboard Irish Sport Horse Dunlough Striker, owned by Carol Henry.
Jesse Campbell of New Zealand secured third place in this division as well going into show jumping tomorrow. His own Cleveland, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, streaked around the course to be the only other combination to come in under the time allowed on 10:02.
Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby. Photo by Radka Preisler.
American combination Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby added no jumping penalties and 2.8 time faults to their day to move inside the top ten going into show jumping tomorrow. Their current score has them comfortably in eighth place, with ninth place more than five points back, and less than a rail separates fifth through eighth.
The CCI3* show jumping will begin at 1:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. ET), and we’ll be bringing you a full report on the event’s conclusion.
Millstreet: Website, Facebook, Live Results CCI3*, Final Results CIC3*
CCI3* Top Ten After Cross Country:
CIC3* Top Fifteen Final Scores:
Go eventing.
