Equestrian:Co Kildare's Camilla Speirs held on to her overnight lead to win the CIC*** class at the Goresbridge Go For Gold international horse trials at Ballindenisk this afternoon with the 12-year-old Crosskeys Rebel gelding Portersize Just A Jiff.
Following yesterday’s withdrawal of the competition leader, Sam Watson (Horseware Bushman), and the third-placed Julian Stiller (Enjoy), there were more non-starters today leaving just 16 combinations to take on the cross-country phase where two horses were eliminated.
Speirs picked up four time penalties to complete on a score of 44.1with Michael Ryan next best on the veteran Old Road which, with just 0.4 for time, was the fastest in the class and finished the two days on a total penalty score of 51.5. Stiller, an American rider based in England, filled third spot with Chapel Amble (54).
In the higher-ranked CCI*** class, Britain’s Oliver Townend also held on to his position at the top of the leaderboard with the Touchdown gelding Arctic Mouse and goes into tomorrow’s show jumping phase on a score of 43.6 which includes 2.4 for time across the country.
Co Meath’s Elizabeth Power recorded the only clear within the time on the ex-racehorse September Bliss to move up into second place on 50.6 with Britain’s Tina Cook slipping to third on Miners Frolic having picked up eight time faults this afternoon.
From yesterday’s starting line-up of 25 there were four withdrawals before today’s action over the fixed fences where two horses were eliminated and six were retired by their riders.