PREVIOUSLY open to eight-year-olds, the EI115 studbook series was confined to seven-year-olds this season and, for the most part, was poorly supported with just three entries (two runners) at Clonmahon House and only two at Rosanna (2). There were six starters at Ballindenisk (2) while eight seven-year-olds took part in the final at Kilguilkey.

The league winner on 25 points was the ISH gelding Dermish Chill, who is ridden for Paul Donovan by Patrick Whelan. Second at Clonmahon House and winner of the match at Rosanna (2), this ISH gelding by Chillout didn’t compete at Kilguilkey House having contested the CCI3*-S at Lisgarvan House and, before that, a similar competition in Jardy, France. A son of Chillout, Dermish Chill was bred in Co Galway by Patrick Finn out of the Ricardo Z mare Kilnamac Poppy.

Fourth in that CCI3*-S at the inaugural Co Carlow international, Suzanne Hagan placed second in the seven-year-old league with her ISH gelding Loughview Commander (21), a Cobra bay who was bred by Judith Sossick out of the Limmerick mare Loughview La La, a full-sister to Loughview Lou-Lou (CSI5*). Sara Glynn placed third with her Clonmahon House winner, the ISH mare Granny Jeans Unicorn (15), a Jack Of Diamonds grey who the owner-rider bred in partnership with her mother Laura.

Home-bred winners

Speaking about the series, Head of Breeding, Development and Innovation with HSI, Dr Sonja Egan said: “I wish to congratulate all breeders, riders, and owners on their success throughout the Horse Sport Ireland Studbook Series 2023. It is notable that many of our league and leg winners were home-bred Irish horses.

“On review of last year’s HSI Studbook series we worked to include aspects which aided the progressive development of these horses and producers. This resulted in an increase in prize fund to €95,000 which included greater breeder recognition and the introduction of a young riders’ prize, rewarding good breeding decisions and young producers.”

Regarding the low numbers competing at EI115

level, Egan commented: “Across the HSI Studbook series in eventing, and show jumping, there is a trend in reduced participation numbers in the seven-year-old category. This is often due to the sale of horses, usually as five and six-year-olds both nationally and internationally. HSI continues to provide supports, such as the HSI Studbook series, to encourage the retention of horses which are seven years and beyond to contribute to Irish breeding programmes and international Irish success.

“We are all aware of the significant challenges the weather has posed to the eventing season. Horse and rider safety is paramount, we understand and respect the decision made by many breeders, owners, and riders not to run horses in difficult ground conditions.

“These initiatives are designed to promote the best practice in young horse production, and this is something we maintain at the forefront initiative planning. We will continue to work closely with Eventing Ireland and our stakeholders and make adaptations with the intention of increasing participation numbers, especially in the seven-year-old class.

“There was a significant prize-fund available for the Horse Sport Ireland Studbook Series this year and it is HSI’s intention to propose this initiative in 2024, subject to funding approval. This is a very important initiative and we are delighted to provide an opportunity to support the breeding, production and retention of event horses in Ireland.”