Ireland's show jumpers executed a convincing whitewash on the opening day of international action at the Millstreet horse show in Cork, yesterday, where riders from nine nations are disputing a £75,000 prizefund.
Adrian Williams, a winner on the opening day of this fixture 12 months ago, once again fired the first salvo. His clear round in 52.62 with Multi Clover was the fastest of 11 faultless efforts in the opening IFA speed stakes, relegating Jack Doyle to the runner-up slot with Santana's Diamond.
Francis Connors maintained the home side's strike rate when he claimed the Horseware Products jump-off class later in the day. The Waterford rider had two rides through to the six-horse deciding round, and having had a pole down with Bishop's Quay, he relied on Ericasam, last to go, to provide the horsepower for his challenge to current leader Eddie Macken.
German-based Macken, who has been absent from the Millstreet start lists for several years, had taken the advantage at the midway point with FAN Pascal, the Westphalian gelding turning in a clear in 44.80. But Connors came up with an even more economical route with Ericasam - matching Macken's daring angled approach to the oxer three from home and shaving a further few inches off the line to the following upright - to bring Robin Bingham's chestnut home in the winning time of 44.62.
The highlight of the Millstreet programme is Sunday's £15,000 Grand Prix, which replaces the traditional Derby event, axed from the four-day international programme largely as a result of lack of support from the riders, with whom the taxing natural fences, ditches and banks are not popular.
