Michael Ryan (Dunlough Striker) – CIC** Winners 2015 (Photo: Bit-Media)

Cork-based Michael Ryan and ‘Dunlough Striker’ took the Pegus Horse Feed CIC** title this afternoon at the Fernhill Sport Horses Kilguilkey House International Horse Trials in Mallow, Co. Cork. A previous winner of the class in 2013 with ‘Ballylynch Wizard,’ Ryan rode Carol and Tom Henry’s Maltstriker gelding to victory, despite incurring 4.4 time penalties. The win means that the Dan Coleman Perpetual Trophy for the highest placed Munster-based rider stays in the Donegan-Ryan household for a third consecutive year following Patricia Ryan’s performance in last year’s CIC** class. The cross country questions posed by newly appointed designer Mike Etherington-Smith caused it’s fair share of problems but the top 3 remained unchanged from their positions after yesterday’s Dressage and Show-Jumping phases, with Louise Bloomer and ‘Hollybrook Sky High’ finishing in second and Heidi Hamilton taking third with her own ‘Dam Easy.’ Cork-based Rebecca Dunlea slotted into 4th with her own ‘Cashelane Captain’ while George Russell posted the only clear round inside the time to move up to 5th place on the leaderboard.

In the CIC* competition, Fraser Duffy held onto the lead with Carol Gee’s ‘Summer at Fernhill,’ completing on their dressage score. A clear round inside the time brought Gerald Bloomer and ‘Calliaghstown Flight’ up from 6th place to finish in 2nd while Millstreet 2014 pony squad member Jessica Kuehnle held onto third with ‘Rathnaleen Roy.’

Fraser Duffy (Summer at Fernhill) – CIC* Winners 2015 (Photo: Bit-Media)

Competition at Kilguilkey was particularly important for those vying to impress the team selectors for the 2015 FEI European Championships for Ponies. The CNCP** was won by Cameron Kiernan Jnr. and ‘Bocade Slo-Mo-Shun’ while Izzy Riley and ‘Monarch of the Glen’ added four jumping penalties to their dressage score to take second position.

Now in its third year, the event received great feedback from riders, visitors and officials alike and the presence of Fernhill Sport Horses as title sponsors was greatly appreciated. The sponsored Hog Roast on Saturday evening was very well supported and event organisers Danny and Michelle Dulohery are extremely 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.