THE performance classes on the showing programme at the Dublin Horse Show are increasing in popularity each year and competition is fierce at all of the qualifiers.

Fifteen ponies took on the Dereck Hamilton-designed track in the Berney Bros Saddlery five to seven-year-old Connemara performance hunter class on Wednesday, the opening day of the show, but only one, Caoranbeg Comanche, managed to record a clear round.

Owned and ridden by Co Wexford’s Abbey O’Driscoll, the seven-year-old Mountain Cascade gelding was paying his second visit to the Ballsbridge showgrounds. The grey failed to feature last year but, having been well-hunted and well-schooled in the interim, he shot to the top of the leaderboard with that clear and stayed there on a total of 258 points.

“I came out of Ring 2 in tears last year and this year I came out unbelievably happy,” said O’Driscoll, who had a lot of support among the large crowd of spectators. “He was unbelievable today and I’m so proud of him and so proud of myself.” The owner competes with her winner in riding club activities as a member of Carne and gave him one outing under Eventing Ireland rules last year.

Caoranbeg Comanche was bred in Co Galway by Caoilfhinn O’Malley out of the Commanding Hero mare Gallowstown Bibi, who was out of a Rocky mare.

With one fence down apiece, Scottish international event rider Becky Scott finished second on the six-year-old Menlough Owen gelding Crimlon Dylan (241), with Charlene Fitzpatrick placing third on the similarly-aged Lightening Star gelding Erne Valley Shadow (238.5). Scott recorded the highest flatwork mark (61) on the unplaced Glenford Rose (232), while Alicia Devlin Byrne’s mount I Love You Jazz, a seven-year-old stallion by I Love You Melody, who finished fifth (236.5), received the highest conformation score (25.5).