THE Northern Ireland Horse Board Youngstock Championships concluded with great success on August 28th at The Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.

With an impressive start list of over 60 exhibitors, the inaugural running as a Youngstock Championships was a worthy showcase of future equine stars, drawing people from across the region.

The Championships featured an array of classes, including show jumping foals, eventing foals, traditionally-bred foals, pony foals, yearlings, two-year-olds and three-year-olds; judged by Richard Iggelton and Victoria Clarke Mullen.

Starting off the day were the show jumping foals, the best of which was judged to be Barbara Kearns’ Bay Colt by Cascari. In the eventing class, Timpany Northern Lights (ISH), added another win to their numerous 2024 successes in the careful hands of David Lyons. Winning the traditional foal section was Dr Charlotte Moore’s Tullys Twizzle (ISH), a chesnut filly by Primary placed ahead of Norman Walsh’s chesnut filly by Democrat.

Lucy Hammond’s Melbourne Rubix Cube (ISP), a skewbald colt by Vittorio took the top spot in the pony foal section. In the foal championship, the judges had a difficult decision to make when looking at the top placings from all four foal classes. After careful deliberation, the Champion’s rosette and crystal memento was presented to David Lyons for Timpany Northern Lights, whilst Dr Moore received the Reserve Champion ribbons for Tullys Twizzle.

The winning Show jumping foal at the NI Horse Board Youngstock Championships was this colt by Cascari bred Barbara Kearns \ Tori O’Connor Photography

Yearlings

Following a break for lunch, and some rain showers, it was time for the yearlings to take to the arena at The Meadows. Taking the first win of the afternoon was William Little with this Vittorio-bred bay filly, My Vallys Diamond (ISH). The Sharon Kelly Murphy-owned Annaghmore Flo Pleasure (ISH) took the top placing in the two-year-old class. Sired by Kinmar Hero Z, this bay gelding impressed the judges ahead of Ophelias Boy (ISH)-bred by Connor Wilkinson.

Older classes

The three-year-old Championship had an impressive €4,000 on offer between horses and ponies.

Taking the lion’s share of the prize money was Gwen Scott with her Edel Reel-bred Carnally Solar Sky (ISH), whilst second place was awarded to Sharon Kelly Murphy and her HHS Cornet gelding Annaghmore Dunkirk (ISH).

In the three-year-old pony section the Colleen Murtagh-owned and bred Ballywire Princess (CPBS) whilst taking second place was Cloontia Candy Girl, owned by Richard Little.

Youngstock Championship

Rounding of the day, was the Youngstock Championship, Sharon Kelly Murphy had a busy day with two through to the Championship. After consideration, the judges choice was unanimous, with the Champions title for 2024 going to Annaghmore Flo Pleasure and handler Shirley Hurst.

The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, and organisers extended their deepest gratitude to Roundthorn Sport Horses, Drumhowan Stud, Alland Stables, Baileys Horse Feeds, Horse Sport Ireland, DAFM and the NI Horse Board.

They also thanked The Meadows Equestrian Centre for providing a stunning backdrop for the event, offering a perfect setting for competitors and spectators alike.