It’s been an emotional morning for Lucy Jackson who notched her first ever win in the fifth leg of the Event Rider Masters at the Millstreet International Horse Trials in Ireland.

“I’ve never been on the top spot of a podium and I can’t tell you how good it feels,” said Lucy who guided her 10-year-old bay to victory in the 30-strong CCI4*-S class. “It feels absolutely fantastic.”

She and Superstition made their first podium appearance when finishing third in the opening ERM leg at Chatsworth in the spring. This time, they set themselves up well with a 26.4 penalty point dressage effort to sit in fourth equal place heading into the showjumping where a clear round saw them move to third. It was their lightning clear cross country round, aided by the withdrawal of two-phase leader Oliver Townend (GBR), that saw them take the win.

“It’s huge pressure having a point-to-point rider as an other half,” said Lucy. “All the way around I was thinking, ‘don’t be slow – don’t be slow’. I’m not known for being fast but the little horse is a superstar.”

Lucy and Superstition added .8 penalties for going slightly over the time allowed to finish the competition on 27.2, just .3 ahead of runner-up Sam Watson (IRL) and Imperial Sky on 27.5 with Alexander Bragg (GBR) and Zagreb in third on 28.2. Jesse Campbell and Amsterdam 21 were 13th on 44 with Tim Price and Wesko withdrawing before the cross country. They were one of five combinations to withdraw before the final round, with two others eliminated on course.

The final leg of the 2019 ERM is in Ligniere en Berry in France in October. Chris Burton (AUS) and Bill Levett (AUS) now lead the rankings with Jonelle Price slipping to fourth after not starting at Millstreet. Lucy has moved to sixth.

In other competition at Millstreet, Jonelle and Grappa Nera sit in ninth spot in the CCI4*-L after going clear and inside time in the cross country to remain on their 40.3 dressage score. Jesse and Diachello are in 17th spot on 75.1. Chris Burton and Lawtown Chloe lead the field on 28.8. Just 18 combinations remain in the running with six having retired on the cross country, one eliminated and one withdrawn.

In the CCI4*-S, Tim and Xavier Faer have finished in eighth place on a score of 43.6. The class was won by Izzy Taylor (GBR) aboard Fonbhema Lancer on 29.1. Tim and Falco were 35th with a score of 78.6. The cross country saw five retirements, three eliminations and four withdrawals.

Tim and Emotion II are in seventh place after the dressage and showjumping of the CCI3*-S class. The Kiwi combo sit on 31 penalty points with Kevin McNab (AUS) and Fernhill Tabasco leading on 25.8. Jonelle and Curly Girl are in 15th on 32.9 in the 65-strong class.

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The horse details:

Diachello – owned by Kent Gardner and Jesse Campbell
Grappa Nera – owned by The Grape Syndicate
Amsterdam – owned by Craig Campbell
Falco – owned by Sue Benson
Xavier Faer – owned by Trisha Rickards, Nigella Hall and Tim Price
Wesko – owned by The Windrush Equestrian Foundation
Superstition – owned by Gillian Greenleas
Emotion II – owned by Eventing First PLC
Curly Girl – owned by Katie Amin, Lucy Sangster, Kate Holmes and Jackie Oliver

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ