Leinster Region

Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour

THE Mervue Equine Tour once again proved popular, with rounds being held around the Leinster Region, kickstarting in Barnadown in May. Sponsored by Mervue for the last eight years, the tour boasts a prize fund in excess of €50,000 between the individual legs and final. The winning Young Rider horse/rider combination was rewarded with the Ballywalter Farm Bursary with international show jumper, Bertram Allen. The overall League winners in the 1.10m, 1.20m 1.35m, the top young rider in the overall 1.35m League and the top Pro-Am in the overall 1.35m league won the Karlswood Equine Experience.

After 12 rounds and a final, the tour came to an exciting conclusion at the Mullingar Summer Horse Championships. The 1.35m final attracted a large following, with 127 combinations battling it out. Of the original starters, 33 delivered double clear rounds. Leader on the board going into the final round, Aoife Dooley and Cavalier Teaca failed to make the top six on this occasion, but a commanding lead saw her take the 2023 title. Overall Tour runner-up and leading young rider was Taylor Peare and Lissyegan Geoffrey. The Overall Tour Pro-Am winner was Mark Treacy and Beech Hill Tayla Blue.

Taking the final win was Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise and, with it, the winner’s share of the €3,500 on offer. Taking the runner-up spot was Shane Goggins and Boleybawn Cayman, while Wexford’s Michelle Kenny, aboard her own Mohill Rosetta, took third. Ausra Clarke and Janco-V claimed fourth place, while young rider Rhys Williams and the eight-year-old Dodarde E Z accounted for fifth place. Completing the top six was Eddie Moloney and CSF Gabby Abbey, clear in 26.51. Owned by Mark Williams and bred by Shane Connelly, the 10-year-old is by Kannan.

Barry Griffin and SBH Diamond In The Rough, pictured winning the 1.25m Youngster Tour Grand Final as a seven-year-old, won the 1.20m Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour final \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

1.20m Final

The final of the 1.20m league saw the largest following, with 172 combinations going to post. This was an extremely close class, with the top eight combinations coming home clear and within 30 seconds. Following a competitive tour, it was Barry Griffin and SBH Diamond in the Rough who claimed the title, while the overall Tour runner-up was Ruairi Alyward and Clonagoose Sky Bouncer. Claiming the overall Young Rider title was Jack M Murphy and Ballinteskin Gaia.

A familiar face in the line-ups in the Mervue league, Aoife Dooley added another win to her record, as she partnered the Marguerite Ryan-owned Cavalier Teaca to a clear in 26.42 to take the final win. The 16-year-old mare is by Glidawn Diamond and out of the Cavalier Royale sired dam Teaca.

Sven Hadley took two places in this line-up, delivering his best result with Siobhra, for second place. Hadley also accounted for fourth with Sumas Taloubet.

Dividing Hadley’s placings was junior Stephen Gibbons and Clooncalagy Beauty, slotting into third. Nicole Kershaw and Novellent accounted for fifth place, ahead of Peter McMahon and the seven-year-old Martell Me This.

1.10m Final

Leading the victory lap in the 1.10m final was Nicola FitzGibbon and the Langara Ventures owned Hard To Beat. Amateur rider Marie Hartley went into the final round in top position and she added to her points tally, as she took two places in the final line-up. Hartley (AA) took the runner-up spot with her own Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, which saw her claim the overall title. She also accounted for eventual fourth with Scarthill Vendi, which saw her take the overall runner-up prize.

Following a consistent performance over the league, Brona Keane and Quality Diamond were crowned the overall young rider champions of this section.

Young rider Nadine Carey accounted for third place with Sacre Bleu. Sven Hadley also featured in this line-up, slotting into fifth with the six-year-old, Royal Emerald QC. Brendan Murphy and Ballyheerin Rocket Girl (5 YO) in 28.53 completed the top six line-up.

Ulster Region

Nicole Kershaw and Clovalent, overall winners of the 1.35m Ulster Region Grand Prix series \ Kyra Griffin

Wilsons Auctions Ulster Region Grand Prix Series 2023

WILSONS Auctions continued as headline sponsor ahead of the Wilsons Auctions Ulster Region Grand Prix Series 2023. Building on the previous year’s show jumping series, the Ulster Region in association with Showjumping Ireland, hosted seven legs at venues across Northern Ireland, ending at Kernan Equestrian Centre on August 26th, boasting a substantial prize fund of £10,000, not including an additional £10,000, which was shared amongst the winning horse and rider combinations competing throughout the 2023 series.

The series featured classes from 90cm up to the 1.35m Grand Prix, including Sports Members, Amateur and Junior/ Young Rider sections. The Ulster Regional Series catered for a range of abilities, plus highlighted some of the country’s top talent, developing a ‘stepping stone’ for athletes and horses preparing for larger national shows.

Following a competitive league, the winners were crowned. Taking the 90cm/Sports member title was Lesley Cooey riding Alfie II, while the 1m title was claimed by Fiona Thompson riding O’Harabrook. It was a good season for Thompson, as she also claimed the 1.10m title and the AA Amateur title with the reliable O’Harabrook.

Danielle Logan riding Demero was crowned the A category amateur champion. Nicole Kershaw claimed two titles, the 1.20m with Novellent and the 1.35m with Clovalent.

Ulster Region Committee Chairman, Derek Reid, commented prior to the series: “I am delighted that Wilsons Auctions has agreed to sponsor the Grand Prix Series again for this year.

“The additional funding from Wilsons Auctions will help support the prize fund for our members and hosting venues. On behalf of the Ulster Region Committee, I extend our sincere gratitude to Wilsons Auctions for their kind and generous sponsorship, and we look forward to future cooperation and a very successful Grand Prix Series.”

Connaught Region

Stephen Gibbons (JU/YR) and Cassius Z, pictured winning the 1.35m/1.40m RDS YR Qualifier at Barnadown, won the SJI Connaught Region Grand Prix League \ Jane Emilly Potter

Senior Leagues

THE Connaught regional leagues came to a conclusion at Enniscrone on July 15th, after six rounds of competitive jumping.

The Showjumping Ireland Connaught Region Grand Prix League winner 2023 was Stephen Gibbons and Jane Gibbons’ Cassius Z at Enniscrone Show. The combination went into the final round on 36 points, just nine points ahead of his closest rival, Lee Carey and Luxity, who had accumulated 27 points over four rounds. Gibbons had recorded two wins and two runner-up finishes over the course of the six rounds.

Shane Goggins and Boleybawn Cayman went into the final on a total of 19 points.

Winners of the Equestrian World Ireland 1.15m Showjumping Ireland Connaught Region 2023 League were Nadine Carey and Deirdre Murnane’s Sacre Bleu. Carey had a slight advantage going into the final having accumulated 26 points, while Clodagh Lee and Erne Cruising Breeze followed closely behind on 24 points.

Stephen Gibbons had accumulated 12 points with both Ballynagran Captains Mate and Ceide Candy Heart.

Nadine Carey added to her impressive record as she went on to claim the Duffy Sport Horses 1.25m League with Deirdre Murnane’s Sacre Bleu.

John Carr had a slight advantage going into the final, after accumulating 15 points with CSF Fintan, however it would go down to the final round as Nadine Carey followed closely behind with Sacre Bleu on 12 points.

Pony Leagues

The 2023 SJI Connaught Region Pony League was one of the closest ever to be fought. The winning pony and rider combinations of three of the four league classes would come down to the final scores at the Connaught Pony Championships in Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre on September 9th and 10th. Sponsored by Dara Larkin of Roxboro Stud, the finals on Saturday were hard fought. Niamh Delaney claimed the 128cm Under 10 Silver Jumper Roxborough Stud Connaught Pony League title with Strawberry Swirl II, while Jack Costello on Bronheulog Ruben won the 128cm Silver Jumper Roxborough Stud title.

Last year’s winner, Ronan Gilvarry and The Hilly Billy, won the 138cm 1m Roxborough Stud league. It was a good final for Tadhg Dillion, as he won the 148cm 1.10m Roxborough Stud Connaught Pony League aboard Ballagh Shannon.

Munster Region

2023 was a great year for show jumping in Munster. Munster SJI is delighted to be able to contribute to the sponsorship of all leagues in Munster - Horses, Ponies and Amateur - and is looking forward to 2024.

The year started off with the Spring Tour for horses, there were four legs and the final taking place in Maryville. This league caters for all levels, with classes from 90cm right up to 1.30m. As in previous years, each of the legs was well supported.

This league was followed on by the Munster Summer Horse Tour, with 14 legs and the final, starting in May in Ballylawn, with the final in October in Banteer. There were three categories in the league, 1.15m, 1.25m and 1.35m Grand Prix. Attendance was once again very good and concluded with an exciting final in Millstreet, which saw the proceeds go to the St Joseph’s and Liskenett Therapy centre.

The league winner in the Charleton Stable 1.15m was Patrick Joyce, while in the Sweet Oaks 1.25m the winner was Francis Connors and, in the Red Mills Grand Prix, it was Liam O’Meara who took the title. Sarah Fitzgerald was the leading young rider in the Red Mills Grand Prix.

Catering for the young horse, the development league ran throughout the summer, taking in 12 legs and a final in Maryville. This league catered for a variety of riders from 1m to 1.10m and 1.20m.

There was a good response to this league, with Claire Quinn claiming the 1m league; the 1.10m was claimed by Andrew Ryan and the 1.20m by Richard Hourigan. This league is funded by Munster region SJI.

The interprovincial Munster final was very well attended in Tipperary Equestrian. Munster was well represented at the national pony championships in Mullingar, with many taking top spots. Many Munster pony athletes and young riders also competed successfully abroad throughout the year.

Hollypark Stable was the venue of the national young rider championships and, by all accounts, proved to be a real hit.

The Munster Region sponsored an amateur league, with Gary Flynn claiming the AA section and in the A Section, the winner was Fred Wilson.

Munster senior riders based abroad and those who travelled during the year, also did the region proud, competing as individuals and on Nations Cup Teams. And, not forgetting, the European Championships, where there were eight Munster riders, all bringing home medals - Kian Dore, Coen Williams, Rhys Williams, Tom Wachman, Max Wachman, Trevor Breen and Eoin McMahon.