Dromgurrihy makes pleasing CCI three-star level debut
The Cork-based Limerick native earned 54 penalties with the 10-year-old gelding and declared: “It is his first time at CCI three-star level and I am really pleased.”
Lack of self-belief was counterproductive, he said, as he looked forward to a cross-country track he felt was a force to be reckoned with.
“It is strong, stronger than in previous years, but I am confident, you always have to be confident, if you are negative, you shouldn’t be here.
“It is definitely going to have an impact and I think the leaderboard will be a good bit different on Saturday evening. It is a proper three-star track. That is the consensus,” said Ryan.
Prizemoney might indicate that the CIC three-star is of lesser import this weekend, but not to Ryan, who is using it to keep his main ride Ballylynch Adventure in condition and, of course, to keep him in the sights of Ireland high-performance manager Ginny Elliot, who is to finalise her Olympic squad on July 2.
“I’d like to think I’m in the running for the Olympics,” said Ryan. “I was meant to be in Badminton, but hopefully this weekend is another opportunity to show what we are capable of.
“Ballylynch finished eighth in a CCI three-star in April in Italy and it’s a case of keeping him ticking over this weekend...
“I do think the time will play a strong part in the cross-country tomorrow. Nobody has ever got the time in the CIC three-star here. I am quietly confident and my aim is to give my horse every chance to put his best foot forward,” said Ryan, who slotted into fifth on 57.8pens, with Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just A Jiff ensuring the Irish an early lead on 41.4pens. Athy rider Speirs has a comfortable lead, almost 13pens, on Oliver Townend (ODT Sonas Rovatio), with Waterford’s Captain Geoff Curran and Bolabaun in third place of the eight to compete yesterday, with 22 more due into the arena today.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Speirs received a vote of confidence from Elliot, when selected to be part of the Irish team bidding for the Dubarry Boyne Trophy, along with Mark Kyle (Coolio) and Liz Power (September Bliss).
Sarah Wardell was “delighted” with herself as she walked the CCI course having finished best of the Irish on the day. The Wicklow rider and Killeenduff Boy (aka Tiernan) were lying equal third on 50.4 penalties after completion of dressage in the feature class and she was confident she could continue in similar vein in tomorrow’s cross-country.
“He’s been pretty consistent this year. I went to England in the spring and he was doing about similar scores.
“The horse was sick last year with a virus and it has taken a bit to build him back up again.”
She too is hoping to impress Elliot.
“I’m not on the short-list, but I am aiming for a good result to convince Ginny that I am worthy of being at the Olympics. She congratulated me after my test, but I realise there is much work to be done yet this weekend, said Wardell, who says London 2012 would sit nicely on her CV, having represented Ireland in the World Equestrian Games and Europeans.
She is also anticipating tomorrow’s cross-country will prove influential.
“The track is big and bold and its in great condition and beautifully presented. I hope it will shake up the field as Tiernan relishes the cross-country,” said Wardell, who was bettered on the day by Britain’s Ruth Edge (Rogersdale), in pole position on 41.4 penalties, and William Fox-Pitt (Bay My Hero) on 41.6pens.
Tattersalls is billing itself as a family-friendly event, with a free kids’ zone, picnic areas by the water fence, over 50 shopping stands in the country fair, along with face-painting, bouncy castles, fairground games, karting, a working farm display, dog competitions, pony rides and falconry displays.
* Ireland lie bottom of the FEI Nations Cup league following the last-place finish in Rome a week ago.
It might not quite be backs-to-the-wall territory yet, nevertheless, Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine will be hoping his selection for today’s Swiss Nations Cup can generate some lift.
The Corkman selected the following to produce a turnaround in Irish fortunes: Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto D’Arco), Jessica Kürten (Voss), Cian O’Connor (Blue Loyd) and Billy Twomey (Je t’Aime Flamenco).
The quartet were favoured with a good draw yesterday when named last of the eight nations to compete.
* A prizefund of €65,000 will ensure a competitive weekend of show jumping at Mullingar International Horse Show.
The show begins today, with the feature being Monday’s Premier Series Grand Prix, boasting €20,000. The Horse Sport Ireland young horse classes have €10,000 up for grabs.
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