Samantha Lissington is buzzing after a fabulous win in the Horse Sport Ireland CCIYH2*-S at the Millstreet International Horse Trials. She and Mr Cookie Time led from the start with a 20.2 penalty point dressage effort, adding nothing in the showjumping and just 3.6 time in the cross country to finish on 23.8. “Days don’t get much better than this,” said Samantha. “Mr Cookie Time was total class. He couldn’t have been better, and I am thrilled he was rewarded for it.” She said the win in the young horse class was extremely special for her whole team. Sitting in second in the 35-strong class was Danielle McCormack (IRL) aboard Hildare Regarde Moi on 26.1.

Samantha is also in the lead in the Eventing Ireland CCI2*-L aboard Quantas R after the dressage and cross country tests. “He was super,” said Samantha. The combination posted a 26.3 penalty point dressage test to lead the 33-strong field and added just 1.6 time in the cross country to sit on 27.9, just 1.3 ahead of second placed Caroline Harris (GBR) aboard Cooley Mosstown. Tim Rusbridge and Esprit de Feu are on 33.6. “There’s all to play for tomorrow,” said Samantha.

She’s also handy in the Noel C Duggen Engineering CCI4*-L, sitting in sixth spot on Lord Seekonig on 27.2 penalty points. “He did some stunning work in his dressage for a personal best at this level. We are yet to get the flying changes so once those are established the scores are going to be pretty exciting.” Ginny Thomasen and Capitaine de Hus Z round out the top 10 in the 30-strong field with their 30 penalty point dressage score, with Muzi Pottinger and Good Timing on 33.7.

It will be another very busy day tomorrow with action across the grades, including the CCIO4*-NC-S which New Zealand is leading after the dressage. World no.1 Tim Price  and Falco are in second spot in the individual, on a score of 24.6 penalty points, just a single point adrift of leader Kevin McNab (AUS) on Willunga.

The Kiwis are in third spot in the CCIO3*-L – the Olympic qualifier for Australia and Japan – after the dressage.

The horse details;
Capitaine De Hus Z – owned by Davie and Karie Thomson and Ginny Thomasen
Lord Seekonig – owned by Sharon Honiss, Annabelle and Robin Greville Williams, and Brayden and Samantha Lissington
Good Timing – owned by The Volunteer Syndicate
Menlo Park – owned by Jean, Rob and Clarke Johnstone
Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ– owned by Pip McCarroll and Samantha Lissington
Happy Boy – owned by Susan Lamb and Therese Miller
Falco – owned by Sue Benson and Tim Price
Jarillo – owned by Lucy Allison, Frances Stead, and James and Rachel Good
McClaren – owned by David and Karie Thomson
Senor Crocodillo – owned by Alexander and Joseph Giannamore
Just Kidding – owned by The Pottinger Family
Chilli’s Midnight Star – owned by Nikki Axon and Merrill Halstead
Lucky Jo Jo – owned by Lucky Jo Jo Syndicate and Nick Brooks
Sparky Lad – owned by Waratah Equestrian Pty Ltd
Inception – owned by Tim Rusbridge
Esprit De Feu – owned by Tim Rusbridge
Quantas R – owned by The High Flyers Syndicate
Mr Cookie Time – owned by Rachel Bessell, Neil Robertson and Samantha Lissington
Coolnorran Cooley – owned by Cooley Farm and Richard Sheane
Cooley Cornasus – owned by Cooley Farm and Richard Sheane

MORE INFO: https://www.millstreet.horse/eventtimetable23/
RESULTS: visit www.rechenstelle.de
LIVESTREAM Nations Cup: https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/

By Diana Dobson
Photos: Libby Law ESNZ