THE 2023 Dublin Horse Show is the perfect venue to showcase young horse talent so it is no surprise that for many yards it is the culmination of all their work since the beginning of the year.

Qualification for young horses took place at three venues throughout the country - Barnadown, Mullingar and The Meadows during May and June.

FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

In the four-year-old division, German judges Philip Boelle and Klaus Storbeck had the task of choosing eight horses from each venue to send 24 forward to compete in the final for the Seamus Hughes Perpetual Challenge Trophy and the Mo Chroí National four-year-old title. The final, always one of the most popular classes in the Simmonscourt arena, will take place at 2.35pm on Saturday, August 12th.

At the first qualifier in Barnadown it was Luke Drea’s French-bred stallion Jengisk Del Colle (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) ridden by Elliott Reeves that was awarded the highest mark of the day of 78 points to take first place.

Jim O’Neill’s Irish-bred mare Castlefield Dubai with Dylan Savage in the irons took the runner-up spot. By Z7 Dubai Castlefield out of Castlefield Bella, she scored 77.5.

The A Class Sport Horses-owned Knocknane Bellicose Bay (Vibrant van de Heffinck x Lux Z) and Daniel McAlinden finished in third on a score of 77. DJ O’Sullivan rode Conor McNamara’s mare Inislusky Diamond into fourth, after they earned a mark of 75.5. Edentrillick Special Edition, a gelding by I’m Special De Muze, out of Leestone Uno Momento by Numero Uno which was bred by William Greene and is owned and ridden by Vincent Byrne took fifth place on 75.

Fortside Farm’s Fortside Obsession (Sligo Candy Boy x Lux Z) ridden by Robyn Moran slotted into sixth, also on a score of 75. Michael Roche rode his own Ennisnag Stud-bred gelding ESI Othello (Ganesh Hero Z x Tygo) into seventh with 74.5 marks.

The eighth and final place on offer went to Rob Gray’s Belgian-bred stallion Capetown VDB Z (Balou Du Reventon x Quidam De Revel) with Damien Griffin in the saddle, on a score of 73.5.

In Mullingar, Niamh McEvoy partnered Gary and Leslie Hazlewood from Triple T Farms mare BP Lucky Clover (My Lord Carthago x Captain Clover) to the win. Bred and produced at Ballypatrick Stables, she is a daughter of former winner of this class and five-year-old world champion Arraghbeg Clover, and won on a score of 83.5.

More recently BP Lucky Clover was named four-year-old Champion at the HHS Charity show in Co Kilkenny where she received a score of 124 points from judges Alain Storm and Dan Walsh, five clear of her closest rival.

Runner-up in the Co Westmeath venue was Williams Sport Horses Ltd’s KCPM Hugo Boss (Plot Blue x Luidam). Ridden by Rhys Williams, he was bred by Glenmore Stud and scored 78.5.

Third went to Ger O’Brien’s Killeaneys Mr T (Tyson x Askoll Peter Pan) for rider Shane Goggins and breeder Amanda Kirwan on a score of 77.51. Seamus Tighe’s home-bred Lough Scur Hero ridden by John Mulligan scored 77.5 for fourth place, while Conor Fitzgerald rode his own mare Francine (Sligo Candy Boy x Je T’Aime Flamenco) into fifth for breeder Dermot O’Sullivan.

John Mullingar was once again in the ribbons with his second mount Gretta Woods’ German-bred Alpha Mrs Z in sixth place on 75.01. The final two places went to Carl Webb with Marion Hughes’ ABC Jaytee Flamenco (Je T’Aime Flamenco x Mermus R), bred by Patrick Kehoe, and Niamh McEvoy with GBBS Int Ltd’s home-bred BP Lady Masterpiece (Diamant de Semilly x Cruising).

The final chance to qualify was held in the Meadows, and it was Tom Hearne’s home-bred mare Killelton Ford that was declared a clear winner on a score of 87. By O.B.O.S Quality out of Hot Flush (Clover Flush) she has been consistently providing clear rounds for rider Zoe Connolly since April and pulled out all the stops for owner/rider Hearne to secure the win by a margin of three points.

Junior rider Coen Williams took the runner-up spot earning 84 points aboard owner/breeder Anne Marie O’Gorman’s mare Cutting Edge Too (Urano Du Cartigny x Carthago Z). Vincent Byrne guided Rachel Moxham’s home-bred mare Belle Mai (Luidam x Furistos Trump) into third place on a score of 83.5.

DJ O’Sullivan made sure Ballypatrick will be well represented when he guided Olga Doyle’s French-bred mare Juana Moussardiere (Andiamo Semilly x Kannan) into fourth on 81, while Clare Abbott riding Lawrence Patterson’s Belgian-bread Cornet’s Fox Z (Cornet Obolensky x Fighting Fit) was awarded 76.5 for fifth place.

Thomas O’Brien rode his own home-bred Coandi into sixth on a score of 76. By Andiamo Semilly, the gelding it out of the same mare (Vereedom G) as the 2011 winner of this class, Codarco, who went on to jump at five-star level under USA’s Chloe Reid.

The final two qualifying slots went to Ciaran Moran, riding owner/breeder Derry Rothwell’s Greenhall April (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Mermus R), and owner/breeder Mathilda O’Regan’s FS Bianca (Vivant van de Heffinck x Iroko) with Anthony O’Regan in the saddle.

FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

The five-year-old division offered a dozen qualifying places at each of the three venues for the Flexible Championship .

In Barnadown it was Pat Sheahan Jnr’s mare Hilliards Quality (OBOS Quality 004 x Heritage Fortunus) that took the win for rider Jamie Landers and breeder Shawn Curry to take first place in a time of 53.90.

Ronan Rothwell’s home-bred stallion Boleybawn Alvaro (Dominator Z x Crown Z), ridden by Niamh McEvoy, was the runner-up in 54.16.

In Mullingar, it was Ger O’Neill who dominated the division; taking first and third places aboard Martin Egan’s Ballyshan BF Superhero (Celtic Hero B Z x Luz Z), bred by Gary Doherty, and KM Sport Horses’ Ballyinaguilkey Special Star (Big Star x Ramiro B), bred by John And Barbara Walsh.

Mikey Pender finished as runner-up riding his own home-bred stallion Masgeslane Luidam (Luidam x OBOS Quality).

At The Meadows, One Day Maybe and Nicola FitzGibbon dominated a very competitive five-year-old class which saw 101 starters take on the three rounds over the 1.20m track. Bred by Patrick Hogan, she is by Bentley Van De Heffinck out of the Kannan mare Kannan Queen.

Ann Connors’ home-bred Jump The Gun (I’m Special De Muze x Master Imp), ridden by Nicholas Connors, was runner-up in 38.59, while Junior Lucy Morton rode her mother Joanne’s Fintra Elsa into third in 38.86. Bred by Sheila and Michael Murphy, she is by OBOS Quality x Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan.

Nicola FitzGibbon riding One Day Maybe, winners of the 5YO RDS qualifier at The Meadows \ Tori O'Connor Photography

SIX-YEAR-OLDS

The first six-year-old qualifier for the 2023 Dublin Horse Show in Barnadown offered 12 qualifying places. Of the 102 combinations that started, just nine combinations managed to produce a triple clear round to secure their place in Dublin.

First place went to Richard Kirby’s home-bred BP Rocket Man (Stakkato Gold x Quidam Junior) ridden by Kevin Gallagher. They posted a jump-off time of 35.96 for the win. Molly Hughes Bravo and her parents’ home-bred HHS Mercedes (Can Ya Makan x Couletto) were runners-up in 36.13.

Eddie Moloney and Twain Flight (Luidam x Mark Twain) finished third in 36.38 for owner/breeder Ann Moloney, while fourth was Niamh McEvoy riding Greg Broderick and Kevin Babbington’s home-bred BP Goodfellas (Stakkato Gold x O.B.O.S Quality). McEvoy also took fifth place aboard her other mount Sarah Tredennick’s Ballypatrick-bred BP Tiny Dancer (Plot Blue x Concorde). Abbie Sweetnam riding the Dutch-bred Magic Girl (Malibu TN x Padinus) completed the top six.

Brendan Murphy and Sean Mulkern’s home-bred mare ABS Misty (Tyson x Clover Brigade) won the qualifier in Mullingar to secure their place at Ballsbridge. The duo have also placed consistently throughout the HSI Series both this year and in 2022.

The Ennisnag Stud-bred and owned stallion ESI Lucius took the runner-up spot. Ridden by Harry Wood he is by Cardento out of Triest Star, by Cavalier. Patrick Hickey guided his two horses into third and fourth place; Simon McCarthy’s Silverteal Indigo (Emerald van’t Ruytershof x Lux Z) bred by Paschal McCarthy was third, while William Hickey’s Ballinagore Quantum (Castlecomer Q x Lancelot), bred by Patrick McDonnell, was fourth.

Harry Wood partnered another stallion, the Dutch-bred Mendoza VDL into fifth place for the Ennisnag Stud, while Jason Higgins rode his own MBF Be Blue into sixth.

At the final qualifier at The Meadows, Kevin Gallagher landed a poignant win with Noel Cawley’s BP Casablanca (Casall La Silla x Cruising), just the day before the great breeder passed away and the pair will be hoping to continue his great record at Dublin. Jack Ryan made a fleeting visit to Irish shores and took second riding his mother Marguerite’s home-bred Mondavi (Tyson x Warrenstown You 2).

Third place went to another one bred by Cawley, Laurina (Stakkato Gold x Cruising) with Leah Stack in the saddle. Owner/breeder Jane Russell’s Carnlea Lui Be (Luidam x V.Alba 69), partnered by Edward Little were fourth, while Eddie Moloney rode his own home-bred Tick A Lu (Luidam x Clinton) took fifth.

The Patrick Breen-bred Carneyhaugh Unison (Cornet Obolensky x Don Juan De La Bouverie) claimed sixth for owner/rider Clem MacMahon.

SEVEN/EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS

The first qualifier for seven and eight-year-olds in Barnadown offered just nine places in Dublin so competition was stiff amongst the 87 starters.

A total of 21 made it into the jump-off. Last to go, Rhys Williams won the class with Williams Sport Horses Ltd’s eight-year-old gelding Playboy JT Z. By Presley Boy, out of Prada JT Z (Plot Blue) the pair won this final in 2022 and were also part of the recent gold medal-winner Young Rider team at the European Championships.

Mikey Pender with HHS Cornetta (Cornet Obolensky x Acorado) were runners-up. Ethen Ahearne riding Dermott Walsh’s eight-year-old LVS Goldrush (Stakkato Gold x Stakkato) finished in third.

Susan Fitzpatrick managed to secure a spot for both of her horses when she rode the Belgian-bred seven-year-old Gallardo Z (George Z x Canturano Z) into fourth, and Keatingstown Mr Cool (Messenger x Chacco Blue) into fifth.

Molly Hughes Bravo riding her mother Marion’s home-bred seven-year-old mare HHS Orchidee (Le Roi x Luidam) lodged a foot perfect round to secure sixth place and her place at the show.

England-based Richard Howley and his own mare Luna Leva were seventh, while Patrick Hickey rode Karmalensky (Cornet Obolensky x Ard Vdl Douglas) into eighth for owner William Hickey and breeder Paul Brady.

GBBS Int Ltd’s seven-year-old Thor Ter Wilgen Z (Taran de la Pomme x Baloubet du Rouet) ridden by Kevin Gallagher slotted into ninth place for the final qualifying place on offer that day.

Commdt Geoff Curran won the second qualifier at Mullingar with Jessica Stallard and The Minister for Defence’s DHF Alliance (ARD VDL Douglas x Lux Z) who was bred by Paul Douglas. Mikey Pender and Bravo Hughes’ home-bred HHS Cyprus (Cornet Obolensky x Acorado) took second, while Kevin Gallagher partnered GBBS Ltd’s Belgian-bred Baloys PS into third. Gemma Phelan rode Curraghraigue Jack Bro (Orestus x Errigal Flight) into fourth for owner/breeder Baden Powell.

Seamus Hughes Kennedy and his mother Clare’s ESI Rocky (Stakkato Gold x For Pleasure) were fifth. The Kilkenny man recently guided the eight-year-old gelding so double gold at the FEI European Young Rider Championships and have been accepted to jump the five-star classes at the show so will not compete in this division, opening up a spot for a horse on the reserve list.

Sinead Brennan’s MHS Everything (Quidam Junior I x Cavalier Royale), bred by the late Ita Brennan, was sixth with Jack Brennan aboard. Linda Murphy’s home-bred Shirsheen Calensky (Cornet Obolensky x Regal Sting) was ridden into seventh by Brendan Murphy, while Abbie Sweetnam and Dora The Explorer were eighth. The final place went to Shane Moloney with Helen O’Regan and John Hoyne’s HHS Disney.

Niamh McEvoy riding BP Limitless, winners of the seven/eight-year-old RDS qualifier at The Meadows \ Tori O'Connor Photography

Final win

Young rider Niamh McEvoy and Max O’Reilly Hyland’s BP Limitless (Elvis Ter Putte x Laughton’s Flight), who was bred by Austin Broderick, proved best of the 65 strong start list to take the win at the final qualifier in The Meadows.

Sorcha Hennessy’s Inlaws Manolo (Corland x Lord Z) took second place. Bred by Tomas Hester, he is ridden by Derek McConnell. Tullogher Lady Liberty (Indoctro x Indorado) was ridden into third by Ger O’Neill for owner/breeders Ciara and Rita Walsh McIntyre. Paddy O’Donnell finished fourth with Pat Peare’s WEC Mermus Rua (Mermus R x Abalou Verte), bred by Ray Browne, while Francis Connors rode his own John Warner-bred Carrigshawn Vendi Royal (Dondoctro Ryal K x Ars Vivendi) into fifth.

Patrick Hickey and William Hickey’s German-bred Claudine Fly (Come and Fly x Chap I) were sixth, while Daren Hopkins and Ballywalters Stables’ French-bred Grifondor Du Rouet took seventh.

The final qualifying place went to Nicole Kershaw with Keonan Stables’ Fury (Cornet Obolensky x Aventyno Z), bred by Linzi Johnston.

Note: The Irish Field had not seen the final list of qualified horses as this page went to print and some of the above may have changed.