Britain dominates opening day at Tattersalls
However, the Armagh rider was a little bit dismayed to be marked down for 52.1 penalties, firmly believing she merited a better evaluation.
“I would have expected a score of 45 or thereabouts, but they [the judges] are marking quite harshly. I am happy with my performance, but not my score,” she said, as Britain dominated the opening day, with Olympic medallist William Fox-Pitt and the eight-year-old gelding Oslo heading the leaderboard on 41.2 penalties.
The only consolation for Doherty was her belief that the opening phase will be confined to a minor role by tomorrow’s cross-country over the new Ian Stark-designed course.
“It is definitely not going to be a dressage competition. The cross-country makes last year’s look like a novice level. Ian is a rider and has a very good feel for design. It is a forward galloping course and is going to reward brave and attacking riding and I am ready for it. It is not where you start it is where you finish,” said Doherty, referencing her dressage score and her eye on the main prize.
Fox-Pitt’s 41.2pens gives him a four-penalty advantage on compatriot Ruth Edge (Applejack II), while fellow Briton Oliver Townend is poised to strike in third place with a score of 45.6pens.
Next best of the home contingent is Kerry rider Captain Brian Curran Cournane (The Sally Rod) in 11th with 54.2pens, with just 0.8pens separating him from 13th-placed, Cork-based Michael Ryan (Annestown Emperor). Sarah Ennis (Sugar Brown Babe) lies 14th on 55.4pens.
Captain Geoff Curran had reason for high expectations when travelling to the Meath event based on his recent win at Ballindenisk with The Jump Jet. Even more so as, prior to rerouting to the Cork fixture, he had his sights set on a good result in Badminton before the intervention of a slight injury to the gelding.
His performance yesterday, however, quickly deflated aspirations, the Waterford rider lying a disappointing 16th on 56.5pens.
“It’s a long way from the leader. We made three mistakes and were punished and, at this level, there is no room for mistakes. I am happy with the horse and I have to take the blame myself,” he said.
“It is unlikely that we will be winning. It may sound like the wrong attitude, but it is a realistic one. I would be aiming to finish on my dressage score, which should give me a good placing and in such a quality field that should count for something,” he said.
In the CIC three-star dressage, Cork rider Patricia Ryan (Ballylynch Wizard) was in a class of her own, her 47.1 penalties giving her almost 10 penalties of a lead on Britain’s Zara Phillips (Silver Lining V), with Ciaran Glynn (Don’t Tell Punch) in third.
Meanwhile, the organisers are making a huge effort to provide ancillary entertainment as part of their country fair, with plenty of child-friendly activities planned, including a Punch and Judy show, pony rides and a dog show. Adults looking for a bit of extra fun will try the horseshoe throwing, archery, bucking bronco, rifle range and tomorrow night’s barbecue.
lSHANE CAREY and Lancero were yesterday named on the team for today’s FEI Nations Cup contest in Rome, Italy.
The Limerick rider was a late call-up in place of Shane Breen and will slot in behind pathfinder Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco) and he will be followed by Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL) and Billy Twomey (Tinka’s Serenade).
Manager Robert Splaine was, naturally, upbeat following victory in the opening round in La Baule, France, a fortnight ago, even if his team will be first in of the nine nations.
“We have great riders and good horses and a great team spirit. With those ingredients anything is possible, but at this level, predicting results is very difficult and it is something I would shy away from,” said the Corkman.
“We would not have been favourites in La Baule, but hard work and our never-say-die attitude paid off and it would be great to build on the win.”
Breen yesterday said a slight injury to Camblin that emerged in Germany last weekend had resulted in his withdrawal.
“He jumped half way around in a competition in Pforzheim and he did not feel himself. Afterwards, we discovered he had pulled a muscle in his back, but he will be back jumping in a fortnight.”
Meanwhile, Jessica Kürten (Lektor or API Largo) is part of the squad for next Friday’s Swiss Nations Cup. Also appearing will be Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL), Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco), Alexander Butler (Will Wimble) and Jennifer Crooks (SF Uryadi).
Last month, this column revealed that, following Kürten’s falling out with Georgina Forbes, the latter was likely to transfer the ride on Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois and Castle Forbes Vivaldo to French rider Roger-Yves Bost. This week a French website seemed to confirm this.
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