The opening leg of the Stepping Stones To Success Eventing League, sponsored jointly by Top Spec and Shires Equestrian, got underway at the Wexford Equestrian Centre in Tomhaggard on Wednesday morning.

The five leg series, culminating in the Grand Final on the 25^th of April is now in its fourth year, and attracts some of the best young event horses in the country, with buyers from all over the world flocking to the south Wexford venue in the hope of finding that four star eventer.

The 4yo section was won by the Sarah Ennis ridden Greenhall Granuaile, the Frankfort Boy mare is owned by Joan O’Connor and as the prefix suggests was bred by Derry Rothwell in Tinahely.

Wicklow’s Heidi Hamilton picked up the runner-up spot with her UK purchase, Johan- Some, by Lexicon and local rider, Ciaran Moran, took third place with the Shoppydam Des Horts gelding, Storyteller.

The 5yo section went the way of another Wicklow rider; Aoife Quigley’s Kilcandra Vanessa had 5 points to spare over the Linda Murphy (Coolgreaney) ridden Castlehoward Casanova with Gorey rider, Alex Donohoe, back in third place on her own Santiago Sky.

The Pony section, sponsored by Sandra Borssim’s Oulartleigh Stud, was won by the Killian Murphy ridden Cullintra Bonfire, the winning combination only had a half mark to spare over Gorey rider, Dale Adams, aboard, Cha Cha Cha, and local rider, Susan Corish took third place with 4yo Robin De La Maison mare, Robins Fairytale.

Racehorse trainer, Willie Mullins, is the sponsor of the Thoroughbred Class, this was won by the Linda Christie ridden, Harbin, the 8yo gelding is by Verglas out of the Rainbow Quest mare, Rainbow City, he ran four times on the flat in 2013. Destination Street, ridden by Thomas Byrne, filled the runner-up berth, the 5yo gelding ran in the point-to-point at Lingstown, only a few fields away, less than 3 weeks earlier and Emma Sweeney took third place with her 11yo gelding, Mr Cosmopolitian.

The second leg of the series will take place next Wednesday, the 4th of April, entries close on Monday, start times, etc will be available on www.steppingstonestosuccess.ie/