Second class of the day was the Accumulator and this class always seems to cause confusion amongst competitors with many questins being asked about how it runs - once the rules were sorted out and everyone understood it the class was underway and 26 combinations tackled Pat Drennan's track with 12 of these coming home with maximum points after successfully taking on the joker fence.
This class "belonged" to the AA riders when they made up most of the placings so no doubt A rider Victoria Forsythe was delighted when she finished with maximum points, shaving 01.secs from Enda Ivanoff's time to win the class leaving Enda in 2nd place. Martin Wilson who has been making a clean sweep of everything in his path recently, including the Dublin Horse Show win, had to settle for 4th place today riding his own Leitrim Clover with Michael Murphy and Don't Say a Word grabbing 3rd spot in the lineup.
The Woodpecker Shavings Veterans Power and Speed class was third on the program today and attracted 21 entries - which considering the threat of having the vet doing a "teeth check for age" was impressive! The award for comment of the day went to the rider who suggested "leaving a glass at the pocket for the teeth to be left in for checking while we are out jumping"!
There were many surprised faces when certain people headed into the ring for this class and there were some ladies who were thrilled to pieces to be asked for "proof of age" to be eligible for the class!
The final class of the day was the Grand Prix and this saw a massive entry of 71 combinations with 30 making it through to the jump off. The A and AA riders were eqaully represented in the final placings with four from each going double clear.
As the final tally of the day was done it became evident that the Ladies "won the day" taking the red rosettes in all four classes! Congratulations to Caitriona Flannelly, Victoria Forsythe, Catherine Flannagan and Jane Kealy - the ladies 'at the top' at Kill International Equestrian Centre.
Pictured left: Dressage rider, Dermott Cannon takes time out to enjoy the sunshine and the fun of the jumping today.
Pictured below: "Man about town" John Mulligan and his Aussie friend Fiona enjoy the jumping today - Fiona, from Victoria is an event rider who trains with well known Victorian eventer Kym Jacobson and during her stay in Ireland is riding at Kill International.
Pictured left: Gerry Campbell "shows his teeth" - well that was what was decided on as "proof of age" wasn't it??
Pictured below: Mary An Casey shows a set of pearly whites which definitely won't allow her entry into the Veterans series for many years to come!
Having a rest and a stretch between classes this rider looks well relaxed as he enjoys the sunshine.
Even the Judges "get out" for a bit of sunshine - pictured below Mary Kane grabs a cup of coffee and a bite of lunch between classes on what turned into a very long day for Mary and Kitty Benson with the jumping finishing around 8.30pm when two of the most friendly and obliging ladies to take up residence in the Judges box stayed on to do the final presentations which were done indoors due to the beginning of what turned out to be torrential and flooding rains!
