THE Northern Ireland Horse Board (NIHB) held its Young Performance Horse Championships on Sunday, September 22nd, at the Meadows Equestrian Centre, Co Armagh. The event showcased a variety of young horses ranging from four-year-olds up to eight-year-olds and attracted producing professionals from across the region and further afield.

€2,000 was on offer throughout the day, sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland and the DAFM National Breeding Services, and the NIHB extended their thanks to HSI, DAFM and the McCusker family for allowing them to run the classes as part of the Meadows Autumn Championships.

Rory Lavery riding Baumes Otto shared victory in the NIHB four-year-old Young Performance Class \ Tori O'Connor Photography

Four-year-old performance

The four-year-old performance class saw an impressive array of youngsters, with the title shared among several competitors. Markus Buser’s Baumes Otto, ridden by Rory Lavery, Andrew Farren’s Peruza with Andrew Farren, Allison Mercer’s Pierrot T guided by Ellie Humphries, Paula McMaster’s Brookfield Queen C under Alex McMaster, Ellen Hughes’ Formil Cool Diamond with Shannon Treanor, and Lisa Best’s Loughans Captain ridden by Alex Best all performed exceptionally.

Five and six-year-olds

The competition intensified in the five and six-year-old performance class with Andrew Farren’s Nevada TE, ridden by Shaun Farren, claiming first place. Ann Galvin’s Tra Houston, with Lucy Morton aboard, secured second. Michelle McElhatton’s Cazadee guided by Emma Jackson, took third place, followed closely by Gail McNabb’s Greenhall Gold Dust with Steven Smith in fourth. Brian Hutchinson’s SVS Zinno, ridden by Jodie Creighton, and Derek Reid’s Dunnanew Sunset, also ridden by Steven Smith, completed the top six.

Seven and eight-year-olds

In the highly competitive seven and eight-year-old performance class, Michelle McElhatton’s Ludo’s Promise, expertly ridden by Barry McCormack, emerged victorious. Tessa Westbrook’s Lavori, with Steven Smith claimed second place. Rachelle Harding’s RJC Second Bet, ridden by Charlotte Harding, finished third.

Suzanne Hagan rode her own horse, Loughview Commander, to secure fourth. Terry Johnston’s Strangford, also with Steven Smith, and Ken Bolton’s Simple Vision, ridden by Emma Jackson, rounded out the top finishers.

For further details on the Northern Ireland Horse Board, membership of the society and future event updates, please visit www.nihorseboard.org.