A double clear performance earned Joseph Murphy and Westwinds Hercules the Pegus Horse Feed CIC** title this afternoon at the Kilguilkey House International Horse Trials in Mallow, Co. Cork. Following the withdrawal of overnight leader Luke Drea, the World Equestrian Games squad member skillfully negotiated the Eric Winter designed Cross Country track with Alison Schmutz and Andrew Tinkler’s Ramiro B gelding to move up from the 4^th position he occupied after dressage and showjumping. Patricia Ryan came close to keeping the CIC** title in Co. Cork for a second year, taking 2^nd place with Carol and Tom Henry’s Dunrath Eclipse which meant the Dan Coleman Perpetual Trophy for the Highest Placed Munster Rider remains in the Donegan-Ryan household for another year. Felicity Ward’s short journey to the event proved worthwhile when she took third place with The Illusionist.

In the Fernhill Sport Horses CIC* competition, former Pony eventing medallist Lucy Latta recorded her first CIC* win with Jessica Harrington’s ‘Jantar.’ The leaderboard remained relatively unchanged after dressage and showjumping with Fraser Duffy finishing the weekend in second position with Fernhill Nearly Darc while Camilla Speirs took third and fourth place ahead with BT Cloud Nine and BT Pickapocket.

Competition at Kilguilkey was particularly important for those vying to impress the team selectors for the 2014 FEI European Championships for Ponies. The CNCP** was won by Emma Kennedy with Laburnum Ineer, finishing ahead of Jessica Kuehnle and Lucy Hancock. With the Championships taking place in Millstreet in 5 weeks time, all eyes will now be on Team Selector Polly Holohan who is expected to announce her team in the coming week. Hannah Adams and Toberpatrick Flash took home the hydeequine.com CNCP1* Championship title which ran concurrently with the event.

Now in its second year, the event received great feedback from riders, visitors and officials alike and the presence of Pegus Horse Feed and Fernhill Sport Horses as title sponsors was greatly appreciated. The organisers are also grateful for the support of a wide range of sponsors and supporters from across the country.

Full results from all classes are available on www.eventingireland.com.

(Pictured: CIC* Winner – Lucy Latta, Jantar)