Dunlough Striker on top at Kilguilkey International
Michael Ryan heads the Pegus Horse Feed CIC** leaderboard at the Fernhill Sport Horses Kilguilkey International Horse Trials following the conclusion of the first two phases today. Despite an error in the dressage phase, the Cork-based rider scored highly with Carol and Tom Henry’s ‘Dunlough Striker’ and a clear round in a testing showjumping phase kept him in pole position at the end of day one. Kilkenny-based Fraser Duffy lies close behind in 2nd with Carol Gee’s ‘Miss Fernhill’ while Heidi Hamilton completes the top three with her own ‘Dam Easy.’
Michael Ryan (Dunlough Striker) – CIC** leader after Dressage and SJ, Photo: Bit-Media
In the CIC* competition, Fraser Duffy leads with Carol Gee’s ‘Summer at Fernhill’ while Kim O’ Gorman holds onto second place with her own ‘Tooth Fairy.’ Gerald Bloomer is in third place after two phases riding Jane Bloomer’s ‘Calliaghstown Flight.’
Kilguilkey is acting as an important trial for the 2015 FEI European Championships for Ponies which take place in Sweden later this year. Topping the leaderboard is Millstreet 2014 squad member Mary Smiddy with the great ‘Mr Hale Bob’ with Cameron Kiernan slotting into second place with Bocade Slo Mo Shun.
Tomorrow, the focus turns to the cross-country course; where all eyes will be on the all-new track designed by former Olympic and World Games designer Mike Etherington-Smith. The course takes a new route through the undulating Kilguilkey Farm and features twenty-one natural fences including banks, ditches, logs and water. The track has a good cover of grass and the ground has been aerovated to ensure perfect going.
Now in its third year, the event is continuing to grow from strength to strength and the organisers are delighted to have Carol Gee of Fernhill Sport Horses on board as title sponsor for 2015. Pegus Horse Feed once again sponsor the CIC** competition and Danny & Michelle Dulohery are also grateful to their team of sponsors and supporters who have helped to stage the event.
The Cross Country phase gets underway at Kilguilkey House from 10am tomorrow with a range of National classes scheduled to start at the same time. Further information is available on www.eventingireland.com or www.kilguilkeyhouse.com.