There was more national success at the RDS in Sunday’s new International Connemara Performance Hunter between Ireland, Britain and France – sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland.

Judged by Corinne Bracken and legendary American eventer Jimmy Wofford, it provided spectators with an exciting team success for Irish riders Lucy Kelly (Monavea Boy), Anna Kelly (Annagh Storm), Lydia Dawson (Gloster Boy) and Gillian Bond (Shanbo Hazel’s Boy), who were a credit to the country and chef d’equipe Brian MacSweeney.

The Berney Bros ridden Connemara and Connemara classes, judged by Corinne Bracken and Clare McCullagh from Britain, commenced with the four and five-year-old mares and geldings (O12), producing the overall, and immensely popular, ridden champion Carrig’s Island Lad (Castleside Carrick-Beechmount Star), owned by Kilternan exhibitors Charlotte and Gill Glynn.

The roan four-year-old was purchased at Clifden Mart sales by the late Deirdre Scott from his Clare Island breeder Sean O’Grady, and ridden by Scott’s daughter, Philippa.

Runner-up in the class was Liam Lynskey’s grey Brackagh Dream, a son of Black Shadow, ridden by Hannah Gordon.

Winner of the six-year-old and upwards (U17) and reserve ridden champion was the well balanced six-year-old gelding Rockisland Dara Og, (Loughmore Dara Og-Heather Honey by Ormond Oliver), owned by Michael Love from Rathmolyon, Co Meath, he was bred by Tommy Joyce from Inis Mor on the Aran Islands and ridden by Emily McQuade from Trim.