LAST year was some achievement - two Lanaken gold medals for ABC Saving Grace and BP Goodfellas. A new approach, decades of commitment, dedication and determination, nights spent studying bloodlines and planning best crosses, even a touch of the luck of the Irish - all of the above applied again this year to bring home four medals.

And that clean sweep in the five-year-old championship on Sunday was an encore to last year’s memo: the Irish are back. Has it ever been done before that three horses from one studbook filled the Lanaken podium? Yes. The KWPN was the first studbook to record a treble in these World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) young show jumping horses championships back in 1998. That year, Loncorde B, Lynn and Larone filled the five-year-old final top places.

Incidentally, Luidam (another following the KWPN regulation that each year’s foal crop be named after a certain letter, which happened to be L for the Class of 1993) was seventh in that final with John Popely.

By 2005, the growing commercial nature of show jumping was evident as it was another KWPN treble for Coral Reef Rob, JK Horsetrucks Richmond Hill and Team Harmony Sky High in the seven-year-old final.

The Irish Sport Horse (ISH) studbook then became the only other to produce such a treble five years ago when Uppercourt Cappucino, CSF Sir George and HHS Vancouver triumphed in the five-year-old final, a feat now matched by HHS Ocala, Boleybawn Alvaro and Ballyshan B F Super Hero.

SVS Symphony’s eighth place meant four out of the top-10 five-year-olds were Irish Sport Horses, followed by another silver medal for Laurina in the six-year-old final.

HHS Ocala and Michael Pender, five-year-old Lanaken world champions \ FEI Sportfot

Leading studbooks at Lanaken? The ISH led the way with four medals, followed by one apiece for the SI (Harry Allen’s seven-year-old winner Kumina della Caccia is registered with Italy’s Sella Italiano studbook), KWPN, Oldenburger Springpferd (OS), Westphalian and host venue’s Zangersheide.

Popular sires? Little change again from the usual suspects - Casall, Cornet Obolensky, Diamant de Semilly (sire of Urano de Cartigny) and Kannan - although of this group, Kannan was the sole medal winner sire with Harry Allen’s champion. The Casall son Casallco was the only sire with two medallists: Cascajall and Casanina PS.

Ger O'Neill and BP Goodfellas after winning the World Breeding Championships in 2022 \ sportfotos-lafrentz

The end now often justifies the means in modern show jumping breeding; some will question the degree of ‘Irishness’ in the Irish Sport Horse; others will maintain that Irish breeders are now doing what the Belgians and Dutch did to build up their studbooks.

The results spoke for themselves at another golden Lanaken for Irish show jumping breeding.

What they said:

“THE Irish were great there at Lanaken and there’s a lot of enthusiasm about breeding. We had a good team and got six to the finals, Mikey [Pender] had five and Molly [Hughes Bravo] had one in the seven-year-olds so we were very happy with that. With the five-year-olds, you’re trying to guide them around without upsetting them, though Mikey’s a master at it and he loves young horses.

“It’s always really tough at Lanaken, even to qualify for the final and especially for a five-year-old. I think one of the main reasons why Mikey won is because he didn’t try to beat everybody else. He actually did the round his horse could do. He had a good plan in his head and it came off, all the experience of the Global Tours, all the Nations Cups, the Aga Khan and all these big occasions stand to him.

“I was over in Wellington, then I went up to see Ocala where there was an embryo auction and I ended up buying three embryos, which I had never done before, and one was HHS Ocala. It was just wanting a few new bloodlines, like the Roosakker family. You have to keep looking at improving, mix them together with some Irish and maybe have a chance to improve the breed. He’s not 17 hands, he’s a neat, tidy horse, he’s got loads of blood and quality and I really like the horse.

“I put the horse in the Woodlands auction on October 3rd, it’s not too often you have a gold medal horse and when everything is fresh in people’s minds. When you come back to Ireland it’s always difficult to get clients back to Ireland, we’re a long way away from the rest of the world so we’ll see how it goes.”

–Marion Hughes

Ger O'Neill and Ballyshan B F Super Hero were third at the World Breeding Championships \ Hippo Foto Media

“Obviously to say I’m delighted with Alvaro is an understatement but it’s really special when he’s home-bred. We have the dam still breeding, her daughters breeding and we’ve some very nice youngstock from the family. That makes it more relevant and important.

“Apart from the breeding, I really enjoy the sport and we all got a huge thrill out of the results on Sunday. And even if we were working to win a medal, just to sit and watch what he did was incredible. To be honest, they say it takes a village but it really does, when I think of all the people that had a hand in Alvaro from conception to where he is now.

“I’m merely indebted to a lot of people and particularly to all the team in Ballypatrick Stables. It’s obvious that Niamh [McEvoy] has really developed the horse in a very, very nice way and that there’s a huge element of trust between them. Without a kind of a relationship like that, all these little things wouldn’t come together. There’s a great team in Ballypatrick behind Niamh and it was very evident in Lanaken.

“Everybody deserves my gratitude and congratulations because there’s a huge amount of people that have to do their job to a very high standard in order to get results like this, I’m eternally grateful. And it’s a great, great testament to the country to be able to get gold, silver and bronze in Lanaken.

“We need more places for Irish horses in Lanaken, like, to think that Alvaro wasn’t even one of the horses that was selected for Lanaken. It just shows you what the standard is in Ireland. Hopefully in the future, Zangersheide will give us some more places.”

–Ronan Rothwell

“This show like all years was a real test on the young horses competing and the organisers have it down to a fine art. If you look at the highly-placed horses over the years, a lot have gone on to do great things, so the concept works. I have been to Lanaken 15 or 16 times.

“The first year I went was 2002 and that year I pitched a tent in the lorry park, along with a good friend of mine Alan Robertson. We got soaked - dedication at its best! It’s the one show I would not miss if possible and I learn something from it every year. I like to see potential stallions and progeny in the flesh to see what would suit the mares we have and it’s a great opportunity for that. It’s also a good opportunity to meet new people.

“It was an unbelievable and slightly daunting experience going into the arena for the presentation as I never had to do anything like that before but the crowd that were with me were so supportive. Celebrations will be little as we are busy with foals but my father [Brendan] was overjoyed at the result and quite emotional when I showed him the pictures and videos of the horse and presentation.”

–Gary Doherty

“We are delighted and so proud of Laurina and Leah [Stack]. Leah did an amazing job with lovely clear rounds all week over challenging tracks. We were thrilled just to make the finals but to go on to win a silver medal in such a high class field is fantastic. We cannot thank Leah, Rachel Urquhart, Greg Broderick and the whole Ballypatrick team enough. They do an amazing job caring for and producing these horses to such a high standard. Their skill, time and effort makes all the difference in developing successful pedigrees.

“Laurina and Leah have had very consistent results winning both the RDS five and six-year-old championships, the Breeders’ Classic (2022) and now silver at the World Championships. She is the second generation bred by Dad [Noel] as he also bred her dam Rincarina who jumped to 1.55m level with Greg. Rincarina also won at the RDS and qualified for the Lanaken finals twice so it is wonderful that her daughter has been able to go one step further and win a silver medal.

“I think a lot of Laurina’s success comes from her cleverness and how hard she fights in the ring, some of that comes from Rincarina. We have not bred from Laurina to date so the hope now is to jump her on further and then breed from her. We have a For Pleasure half-sister who has started her jumping career recently and who we will also retain for breeding. We also have a number of other mares from that line, including some young fillies by Aganix, Cristo and Solid Gold Z.

“Dad has bred eight Lanaken competitors over the years: Laurina, Luisa, Go Lightly, Ballypatrick Flamenco, Hybernia, Rincarina, Golden Exchange and Castellar. He always aimed for good results and would be absolutely delighted to see the fantastic results achieved this week by our small breeding nation. It is very bittersweet that Dad is not here to see this result but it is great to see his legacy continue and what a fitting tribute to him. He was definitely watching over us on Sunday.

–Lisa Cawley

Niamh McEvoy and Boleybawn Alvaro were second at the World Breeding Championships \ Hippo Foto Media

“Preparations for these championships embody a lifetime of dedication by Irish breeders, producers, and riders to achieve such results on Irish-bred horses. There are so many to list that I can’t squeeze into a short quote! I know the industry shares a huge sense of pride in our participation and success in Lanaken and it is great to see them get the recognition they deserve.

“Thanks to our chef d’equipe Taylor Vard and the grooms and wider teams of each of the participating combinations. They worked tirelessly to present the horses immaculately, but also cared for them meticulously throughout. I wish to acknowledge the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine for supporting Irish Studbook participation at the championships and recognising the importance and value of this initiative to Irish-bred horses, breeders, and producers.”

–Dr Sonja Egan, HSI Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development

Lanaken 2023 champions

Five-year-olds

Gold – HHS Ocala (ISH). Urano de Cartigny (SF) - Hera van’t Roosakker (BP), by Wandor van de Mispelaere (BWP). Breeder: Bravo Hughes Ltd.

Silver – Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH). Dominator 2000 Z (ZANG) - Arina (KWPN), by Crown Z (ZANG). Breeder: Ronan Rothwell.

Bronze – Ballyshan B F Super Hero (ISH). Celtic Hero B Z (ZANG) - Ballyshan Lux Important (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Gary Doherty.

Eighth – SVS Symphony (ISH). Comme Il Faut (WEST) - SVS Attraction (ISH) by Air Jordan Z (ZANG). Breeder: Brian Hutchinson.

Six-year-olds

Gold – Cascajall (WESTF). Casallco (HOLST) - Chica (WESTF) by Comme Il Fast (WESFT). Breeder: Alfons Baumann.

Silver – Laurina (ISH). Stakkato Gold (HANN) - Rincarina, by Cruising (ISH) (TIH). Breeder: Noel Cawley.

Bronze – Maddox van het Haringvliet Z (ZANG). Monte Bellini (WESTF) - Elentrix Hedoniste (sBs), by Oganna Sitte (sBs). Breeder: A. Hoekstra.

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Kumina della Caccia (SI). Kannan (KWPN) - Tuladai della Caccia (SI) by Toulon (BWP). Breeder: Coop Soc. Ag. La Caccia-Onlus.

Silver – Casanina PS (OS). Casallco (HOLST) - Chanintendra PS (OS), by Chacco-Blue (MECKL). Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz/Paul Schockemöhle.

Bronze – Labantrix (KWPN). Eldorado van de Zeshoek (BWP) - Abantrix (NRPS), by Abantos (NRPS). Breeder: H.L.M van de Broek.

DID YOU KNOW

By the numbers

120,000 – euro paid by a United Arab Emirates buyer for Colosseo MVD Z, a Casall half-brother to Emerald, at the Lanaken foal auction.

3,750 – euro won last Sunday by HHS Ocala.

10 – Lanaken gold medals won by Irish Sport Horses: NLS Coole Al Clover (2010), Arraghbeg Clover (2013), Killossery Kaiden (2016), Columbcille Gipsy (2017), Uppercourt Cappuccino (2018), Rockwell RC and Cuffesgrange Cavadora (2019), ABC Saving Grace and BP Goodfellas (2022) and HHS Ocala (2023).

3 – Lanaken medallists bred by Marion Hughes: HHS Ocala, Z Seven Caretina (silver medal, 2016) and HHS Vancouver (bronze, 2018).

ISH Lanaken roll of honour (2000 - 2023)

Gold

2010 – NLS Coole Al Clover (Aladatus Z – Laurel Lodge, by Clover Hill. Breeder: Brian Kenny).

2013 – Arraghbeg Clover (Captain Clover – Blidsworth Lion Queen, by Bonnie Prince. Breeder: Agata Leonard).

2016 – Killossery Kaiden (Lux Z – Killossery Kruisette, by Cruising. Breeder: Frank and Laura Glynn).

2017 – Columbcille Gipsy (Toulon – Gipsy III, by Grundyman. Breeder: Eamonn Murphy).

2018 – Uppercourt Cappuccino (Pacino – Uppercourt Posh, by O.B.O.S Quality. Breeder: Paul O’Byrne).

2019 – Rockwell RC (Kannan – Urban Sea, by Guidam. Breeder: Ronan Byrne).

2019 – Cuffesgrange Cavadora (Wellie 72 – Cuffesgrange Cavalidam, by Luidam. Breeder: Eamonn Sheahan).

2022 - ABC Saving Grace (Kannan - Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser, by Cruising. Breeder: Pat Kehoe).

2022 - BP Goodfellas (Stakkato Gold - Goodwins Loyalty, by O.B.O.S Quality. Breeder: Kevin Babington & GBBS Int. Ltd)

2023 - HHS Ocala.

Silver

2001 – Master Ballinteskin (Master Imp– Cushinstown Glory, by Hail Titan. Breeder: Simon McCarthy).

2009 – Drumiller Lough (Heartbreaker – Pearl Diver, by Mountain Pearl. Breeder: Paul Dillon).

2014 – Ard Ginger Pop (Luidam – Derrylea Grey Lady, by Cruising. Breeder: Heather Dean-Wright).

2015 – MHS Washington (O.B.O.S Quality 004 – Mill Royale, by Cavalier Royale. Breeder: Ita Brennan).

2016 – Z Seven Caretina (Coltaire Z – Caretina, by Caretino. Breeder: Marion Hughes).

2018 – CSF Sir George (Sir Shutterfly – Norrira, by Cavalier Royale. Breeder: Shane Connolly).

2019 - MHS Cardenta (Cardento – Willow Point, by Diamond Serpent. Breeder: Tom Brennan).

2023 - Boleybawn Alvaro.

2023 - Laurina.

Bronze

2010 – Ballypatrick Mystique (Heritage Fortunus – Lady Ligustra, by Cavalier Royale. Breeder: Ita Brennan).

2016 – Z Seven Canya Dance (Canya Makan – HHS Chantilly Lace, by Cavalier Royale. Breeder: Anne Hughes).

2018 – HHS Vancouver (Indoctro – La Juanita, by Don Juan de la Bouverie. Breeder: Marion Hughes).

2023 - Ballyshan B F Super Hero.