Busy day at Tyrella Two-Phase

ALL roads led to Tyrella on Saturday for the Two-Phase Event run by Eventing Ireland’s Northern Region. Weather conditions across the Province had been wet in the follow on from the heavy snow of the previous week, which had led to the postponement of the annual event. However, it is true testimony to the uniqueness of Tyrella that the event was able to run with good ground conditions.

It was incredible that the sun was shining for most of the day, emphasising the stunning beauty of the Mourne Mountains ‘sweeping down to the sea’. The rain did put in an appearance mid-morning but, thankfully, cleared before the start of the 80cm classes. There was a fair number of problems, both with Aaron McCusker’s show jumping tracks, where the new rule of two refusals incurring elimination were applied, as well as on Adam Stevenson’s cross-country courses, where competitors started off in the sand dunes and progressed across the breadth of the domain at a good gallop.

The 1m class was divided according to speed, with the first section confined to competitors who wished to pitch themselves at Eventing Ireland’s Novice speed, while the second class was run at Pre Novice speed.

Event 1 saw the top six competitors finish on a zero score and inside the time. Finishing spot on the optimum time and taking first place was Ben Cousins riding Tracy Pavis’s 13-year-old gelding, ‘Broughshane Boy’, whom he has been Eventing since 2021.

Second place was shared between Jim Newsam on ‘Tullybee Renagade’ (‘Ollie’) and Tom Rowlatt-McCormick riding ‘Mon Ami Alme’ (‘Phil’), just two seconds adrift of the optimum time.

‘Tullybee Renegade’ is Carole Hawthorne’s 11-year-old gelding by ‘Puissance’, who is currently competing at 3* level and enjoyed the prep run prior to the start of the season. Tom was delighted with ‘Phil’s’ performance, as he looks forward with anticipation to another action-packed and successful year, following his silver medal win at the Junior Europeans in Hartpury last summer.

Meantime, seven of the 38 competitors finished on a clean slate and inside the time in the second 1m class, where Andrew Greer was a very popular winner with ‘Poppy’ (‘Sharp Object’) also coming through the finish markers straight on the optimum time. This eight-year-old mare was sired by ‘OBOS Quality’, out of ‘Corrybeg Star’. It is well known that Andrew has a very strong bond with ‘Poppy’, with whom he has been competing since July 2021. 16-year-old  Carrickfergus girl, Erin McClernon romped home four seconds inside the time with her mother’s chestnut gelding, ‘Seapatrick Beachball’, with whom she is hoping to event this current season.

There was a huge entry of over 50 in the Senior 90cm class, where Emily Morris guided her 20-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, ‘Florida Bud’, to a fantastic victory. ‘Buddy’, who is by ‘Florida Sun’, has been partnering Emily since 2018.

They were followed by Sophie Cowan and ‘Tempo Quickstep’, an 11-year-old grey mare by ‘Lougherne Quickstep’, bred by Gabriel and Madeline Tunney. This combination progressed into eventing, following a very successful season at the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing in 2021.

Seven riders finished faultlessly in the Junior 90cm class, where Eventing Ireland’s Youth Ambassador, Molly O’Connor, was in almost perfect pace to take the top spot with her lovely eight-year-old Connemara pony, ‘Ballyard Echo’. Following her successful mission, Molly was soon behind the counter of her father’s mobile catering unit, helping her sister to serve coffee, mouth-watering donuts and tray bakes.

Pony Eventer, Eve Lindsay was a very close second with ‘Kilcurry Gem’, Lindsay Martin’s 12-year-old mare with whom she and her sister Ella have both competed under EI rules.

Just two of the 45 starters in the Senior 80cm class had a clean slate, with Alex Greer occupying the top spot on ‘Sparky’. This combination has competed at various EI events over the years and have been consistently in top placings at unaffiliated events. Second place went to Megan Dumigan and ‘Horeb Captain Marvel’ or ‘Marvellous Marvel’, as he is known to his fast growing fan club. ‘Marvel’ has been with Megan’s family for seven years, having been bought by her sister, Hannah and her husband back in 2015. Megan started riding him the following year and ended up buying him off her sister in June 2002.

17-year-old Katie Flanagan certainly had plenty to celebrate, when she won the Junior 80cm class with ‘Million Dollar Bash’, a super little eight-year-old chestnut mare. They were one of four combinations in the class to finish on a zero score. Eve Lindsay added yet another second placed rosette to her haul when she finished runner-up with ‘Tom’, having picked up the ride from her sister, Ella.

Eventing Ireland is deeply indebted to David Corbett for the use of his excellent facilities at Tyrella, which allowed the Event to run even with the recent heavy rain. Many thanks too, to Course Designer, Adam Stevenson and to Stuart Stirling, Technical Delegate, who did a remarkable job of ensuring that the whole cross-country element ran flawlessly. Catherine McDowell took no prisoners at the start of cross-country, keeping a steady flow progressing through to the start box, where they were counted down by the very professional duo of Desi and Eunice Graham. Congratulations to Paul Nolan and Peter Quirke, who kept a very informative commentary running for almost seven hours. Chief Controller, Gillian Smyth was assisted by Vikki White, while Raymond Cullen was responsible for the finish times. The excellent show jumping courses were designed and built by Aaron McCusker. Fiona McCurdy and Sharon Cullen judged the show jumping, while Andria Cleland, in her very professional manner, ensured that there was never a lull in proceedings. Ronnie Beggs and Richard McCracken epitomized dedication to duty throughout a very long day of scoring.

As always, Richard Nesbitt, was on hand to perform just about every task, while Corey Mawhinney was exceptionally professional in his role of Assistant Society Steward.

Thanks, as always, to all the Fence Judges, who did sterling work throughout the long day and to Dawn Carlisle, whose hospitality was first class.

Photographs on the day were taken by Sporting Images and these can be viewed on their website: www.sportingimagesni.co.uk.

Donal O’Bearne of Hoofprints was exceptionally useful, as he checked and tagged over 200 hats in the course of the day.

There was a draw amongst the volunteers for a magnum of red wine, which was won by Paul Nolan.

Organisers very much look forward to welcoming a ‘full house’ of competitors on Saturday for LightsourceBP Tyrella 1.

RESULTS

Saturday, March 18

Event 1 – Senior 1m – Speed 520mpm:

1) Ben Cousins, Broughshane Boy; =2) Jim Newsam, Tullibee Renegade; Tom Rowlatt-McCormick, Mon Ami Alme; 4) Tegan White-McMorrow, Wilson; 5) David O’Connor, Ace; 6) Hannah Morrow, My Good Thyne Girl.

Event 2 – Senior 1m – Speed 475 mpm:

1) Andrew Greer, Sharp Object; 2) Erin McClernon, Seapatrick Beachball; =3) Sarah Brashaw, Lankhill Lord Bui; Ciara O’Connor, MJ; =5) Johnny Steele, Jack; Sarah Gilchrist, Max.

Event 3 – Senior 85/90cm:

1) Emily Morris, Buddy; 2) Sophie Cowan, Tempo Quickstep; =3) Rhonda Hall, Nigel; Katie McKee, Murray; Jim Mcshane, Denzil; 6) Rebecca Fletcher, Erin.

Event 4 – Junior 85/90cm:

1) Molly O’Connor, Ballyard Echo; 2) Eve Lindsay, Gem; 3) Katie Robinson, Ophelia Cruise; 4) Rosie Mullan, Twix; 5) Tilley Tumilty, Wee Fella; 6) Kitty Cullen, TBS Inspector Sparrow.

Event 5 – Senior 75/80cm:

1) Alex Greer, Sparky; 2) Megan Dumigan, Marvel; 3) Ian McCluggage, Jimbo; 4) Emma Thompson, Maura’s Way; 5) Arlene Greenaway, Warrior Bob; 6) Heather Steele, Pillheath Arlo.

Event 6 – Junior 75/80cm:

1) Katie Flanagan, Million Dollar Bash; 2) Eve Lindsay, Tom; 3) Ben Cousins, Doon Da Vinci; 4) Ellen MacNabb, Blackbird; 5) Poppy Duff, Kiltiernan Pride; 6) Una McIlmail, Thunder.