Pemble ends 20-year drought for Irish eventing

SACHA PEMBLE ended a 20-year drought for Irish eventing yesterday when she won the feature three-star class at the Punchestown International Horse Trials.

The English-born 29-year-old, who declared for Ireland in answer to the wishes of her Galway grandmother, knocked two fences in yesterday’s rain-hit show jumping phase with I’ve Been Dun, but managed to hold on for a winning margin of 2.2 penalties and a completion score of 87.3.

The last Irish winner of the main class at Punchestown came in 1986, with well-known racehorse trainer Jessica Harrington and Coppit taking the honours.

The win will go a long way to any claims Pemble may have to a place on the team for the autumn’s World Equestrian Games.

The Kent-based rider had put herself in contention with a good display in Saturday’s cross-country, which decimated the field, following some dreadful weather.

Among the victims, was the clear leader, British star William Fox-Pitt, who was forced to withdraw ahead of yesterday’s show jumping after his mount Ildago was found to have injured his knee.

Britain did fill the runner-up spot in the shape of Vicky Brake, who concluded on 89.5 with Looks Like Fun.

Louise Lyons (Watership Down) and Sarah Wardell (Kincluny) filled the next two places on 91.5 and 96.8, ensuring an Irish-dominated competition.

In the two-star competition, Matthew Wright led a British rout, riding Singalong to victory on a score of 46 penalties. It is the second win in just over a month for the rising star of British eventing, following victory in the Ballindenisk World Cup qualifier in Cork. Wright finished with a 2.1 penalty lead over compatriot Mary King (King’s Fancy), with Polly Stockton (Westwood Joker) a further 2.2 penalties behind.