THE Young Horse national titles at the RDS are recognised as one of the most prestigious wins for horses aged four to eight in Ireland.
Previous winners of the competitions, which the classes have been named after – Mo Chroí, Flexible and Cruising – tell the story of what just some of the winners of these championships have gone on to achieve on a world stage.
The RDS have reverted this year to only allowing Irish-bred horses, born on the island of Ireland, to compete in the young horse classes at the Dublin Horse Show.
Four-year-olds
One of the highlights of the week, the four-year-old final will take place in Simmonscourt on Saturday at 4.05pm. As with the qualifiers, the final will be judged by Thomas Schönig, representing the Hanoverian Society and Roland Metz from the Holsteiner Verband. Both were impressed with the overall standard at each of the four qualifiers.
A total of 24 horses have earned their place at the show. Points are awarded for future potential (out of 50 marks), rideability (out of 50 marks), jumping technique and natural ability (out of 100 marks).
Paddy O’Donnell and his own mare Kilfarissey Krystal, bred by Raymond Mario Kelly, took the top-spot on a score of 81 at the first qualifier in Barnadown at the beginning of May.
Eddie Moloney and Baskin Sunny Diamond, a gelding by Diamant d’Semilly out of Urrahills Little Big Cat, who was bred by John and Sarah Carey in Kinsealy, Co Dublin, scored the highest mark of 86.25 at the second qualifier in Maryville at the end of May.
Aoife Dooley and Maurice Cousins’ Boleybawn Rigeletto won the third qualifier in Maryville at the start of June. By Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet, the mare was bred by Ronan Rothwell and secured the win with a score of 82.50.
That is one of four Rothwell-bred horses in the class. Boleybawn First Lady (Michelle Kenny), Boleybawn Larina (Tadhg Kearney) and Boleybawn Bella, ridden by Rothwell’s resident rider Michaeli Byrne, also take their place.
The final qualifier was in Mullingar at the end of June where victory went to Brian Moran’s Fortside Trend, a gelding by Future Trend, bred by the owner and ridden by 16-year-old Robyn Moran.
Moran is double-handed in the class, also partnering Fortside Candy Crush. Jason Higgins has also qualified two horses (Castlefield Confellow and Heritage MBF), as has last year’s winning rider Shane Goggins. The Claremorris, Co Mayo-based producer hopes to defend his title with CBI Karhari or HSH Harper Du Seigneur.
Five-year-olds
In the five-year-old division, a total of 36 horses have qualified. At the first qualifier in Barnadown, Rockwell RC, ridden by Jason Foley and owned by Ryan Crumley, took the top-spot.
At The Meadows, Eddie Moloney claimed the victory with Ardkyle First Edition. By Cobra and out of a Jack Of Diamonds mare, this mare is owned by Peter O’Toole and was bred by MJ Kavanagh. Following a couple of days delay after a query was lodged, Cathal McMunn and Jardy (Arezzo VDL – Vigaro) took the win in Maryville. Jason Foley came out on top with Dawsons Orestus (Orestus – Cruising) at the final qualifier.
Last year’s four-year-old champion JDP Dougland returns this year under new owner Lauren Haire. Ridden to victory by Shane Goggins in 2018, Haire purchased the gelding shortly afterwards and they finished eighth at The Meadows to book their ticket.
Breeders will be interested in Ganesh Hero Z, ridden by Damien Griffin. The combination finished third in the four-year-old final last year. The stallion has since been sold abroad and will remain at Andrea Etter’s Belmont Stud until the end of the season.
Resident Ballypatrick Stables rider Kevin Gallagher has two five-year-olds: Greg Broderick’s home-bred BP Maestro and the Ennisnag Stud-bred ESI La Luna. Jack Ryan is also double-handed with David Cullen’s J’Adore and Seamus Drea’s DSH Cluen Castle, as is Sinead Kennedy with Kennedy Brothers Sporthorses’ KBS Apple Juice and Lagans OBOS Quality.
Six-year-olds
The first of the six-year-old qualifiers was won by Mikey Pender and Marion Hughes’ MHS Cardenta. He is double-handed at Dublin having also taken the runner-up place that day with HHS Vancouver, winner of the bronze medal at last year’s World Breeding Championships in Lanaken.
Derryinver Premier Sarah, ridden by Luke Campbell, won the second qualifier. It’s worth noting that this combination were the only triple clear round in the 61-strong class on the day.
In Maryville, 67 lined out for and just eight managed to produce double clears to qualify.
Gemma Phelan got two through that day – ABC Ballycruise, who was also in Dublin last year as a five-year-old, and Curraghgraigue Coevers Quality.
Jessica Burke qualified Orestus Clover, recent winner of the six-year-old ISH Studbook Series, and she also returns of the third year in-a-row with Lux A Special Lady, winner of the four-year-old final in 2017.
Clem McMahon and Gary McNamara’s stallion Legaland Team Spirit (Sandro Boy x Heartbreaker) won the class at the final qualifier in Mullingar by the narrowest of margins. The big-jumping stallion had an excellent record in four-year-old classes under Liam O’Meara before McMahon took over the ride towards the end of last season.
Nicolas Butler takes two to Dublin in this division: the Ladycastle Syndicate-owned Ladycastle Paco, who has experience in the Simmonscourt arena, and Philip Swaile’s Annaghquin Lady Jane.
Seven-year-olds
On foot of feedback from riders and producers, the international seven and eight-year-old competition will be split into its respective age groups, no longer operating over a handicap system. Each final offers a prize fund of €10,000.
Just 16 places were on offer for seven-year-old horses.
At the first qualifier, Sliabh Papillon Breaker and John Mulligan took the top spot ahead of Kenneth Graham and Pacino Amiro. Third place went to Kamiro D and Phillip Carey while the fourth place went to Madorada DW and Jason Foley.
At The Meadows, MHS Fernhill dominated. Carol Gee’s gelding is by Cardento out of MHS Pembrook Lady and is ridden by Sophie Richards.
Eddie Moloney took the runner-up spot with his own gelding Temple Alice (Foxglen Cruise Control x Rantis Diamond). Dermott Lennon and Athletix Hero Z (Aganix Du Seigneur x Radco D’Houtveld) took third place ahead of Michael Pender and Javas Gucci in fourth.
Derek McConnell and his own mare Longfield Quinlui, by Quintender out of the Luidam mare, won the qualifier in Maryville having lodged a jump-off time of 49.53 in the 10-horse timed decider.
Second place went to Jack Ryan riding his mother Marguerite’s Cardento gelding BBS McGregor, who has since been named the ISH seven-year-old Studbok Series champion.
Edward Doyle, riding Mullaghdrin Limber, finished in third place. By Flex-A-Bill out of Mohill Cavalier Clover, this gelding was bred by Dr Noel Cawley. The fourth and last qualifying place went to Erne Mountain Dew, ridden by Francis Connors and owned by Hugh Fitzpatrick.
The final four places on offer at Mullingar were claimed by Joanne Blair with her own gelding Mon Ami (Sandro Boy – Broussard). John Mulligan secured his second qualifying slot with Mohill Rosetta (Omar – Glen Bar) when taking the runner-up spot.
Third place went to Vincent Byrne riding Jerry Sweetnam’s Swedish-bred FLB Lux Inclusive, while the fourth and final spot was awarded to Ross Mullholland and another Swedish-bred, Coolmore Showjumping’s Ikaros.
Eight-year-olds
An even dozen eight-year-old horses; three at each venue, earned places in the final for their age division.
At Barnadown, HHS Geneva and Mikey Pender took the win. They broke the beams in 35.71 well ahead of second-placed Ganturano and Vincent Byrne in 38.99. The final qualifying stop went to Gradje O who was partnered by Steven Smith to a jump-off time of 39.71 for third place.
In The Meadows, Kerry McCahill’s Swedish-bred mare Pauline F (Bravour – Casa Grande), ridden by Greg Broderick, claimed the top spot. Frank Curran rode Cliodhna Breen’s Irish-bred gelding Ardragh Chekoff (by Chekhov PZK) to the runner-up spot.
Third place, and the final qualifying ticket on offer on this occasion, went to Jack Ryan riding Anne Marie Fagan’s gelding Essenar High Hopes, who he rode at thge Junior European Championships last month.
Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Boom Boom secured victory in Maryville. Second was HHS Clinstown and Capt Geoff Curran, while Tuilleadh Uisce Beatha and Paul Murphy, finished third.
The final three spots in Mullingar were won by Ger O’Neill and Sharon Fitzpatrick’s gelding Keatingstown Z Wellie Two in first place, James Hogg and his own Intuitive (Beach Ball - Andiamo Z) took second, while the third and final spot for Dublin went to Thomas O’Brien and the Pacino-sired Paciro.