Patrick Whelan is Irish champion as Kevin McNab wins Millstreet CCI4*-S

Rising eventing star Patrick Whelan was crowned Irish National Champion after a strong finish as runner-up behind Australian Kevin McNab in the Connolly’s RED MILLS CCI4*-S at Millstreet International Horse Trials.

The inaugural Connolly’s RED MILLS EI120 National Championship title is awarded to the highest-placed member of Eventing Ireland in the class.

Patrick, 28, from Murrintown in Co Wexford, has had a good month, completing his first Badminton in 36th place. At Millstreet, where he was riding owner-breeder Seamus Carew’s Altitu (ISH), he rose from seventh after dressage with a clear showjumping round and the second-fastest cross-country time of four penalties.

“He’s a really consistent horse who is rarely out of the ribbons,” said Patrick of the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Orestus VDL with whom he was a member of the winning team in last year’s FEI Nations Cup at Millstreet.

“I’ve been competing him since he was six and have hardly ever had a bad day as we’ve come up through the levels. We’re off to Luhmuhlen (five-star) next, which is all part of the natural progression.”

Kevin mcNab was fastest across the country (3.6 time faults) with Sonia Moltke and his wife Emma’s nine-year-old Faro Imp and clinched the win, having led throughout the competition. Ireland-based British rider Daniel Alderson was third on Islandwood Quality Control.

BREEDING
Altitu (ISH) – 2015 gelding by Orestus (KWPN) out of Happy Choice (SWB) by Aram (KWPN). Bred and owned by Seamus Carew (Tipperary). Rider Patrick Whelan (IRL)

Islandwood Quality Control (ISH) 2015 mare by OBOS Quality 004 out of Suir Touch by Touchdown. Breeder: Gerard O’Connor. Owner Oliver Steele.