THE Hibernia Sport Horses sponsored young horse league for five, six and seven-year-old horses, which runs alongside the TRM Spring league, was a welcome addition this year, with a decent number of entries in both the 1.05m and the 1.10m two-phase classes.

These classes are designed to help riders prepare their youngsters for the qualifiers and leagues later in the year.

The results in each class go forward to be counted towards the final league tables, where prize money is available.

Sven Hadley, who has a number of Hibernia-owned horses in his yard, explained how this new sponsorship came about:

“Hibernia Sport Horses is owned by Justin Nell. He is from South Africa and has been in Ireland for the past three years. He has a lot of really nice horses, and has begun an exciting breeding programme.

“He has about 10 or 15 of his youngstock, from foals to three-year-olds with me, as well as five or six of his young horses that are in work.

“His two daughters, Olivia and Josephine, compete; the older girl is just out of ponies and is currently training with Martin Fuchs. The plan is I will produce them to a certain point and then she will take over the ride.

“Ronnie Morton and his daughter Abby in the north also have a few of his, which they are also producing.

“He is very interested in the development of young horses here. He recognised the importance of classes, which can gently introduce horses to competing at the beginning of the year, and decided to sponsor the league.

“He has about 30 horses altogether. His daughters are quite competitive in the ponies; one of them competed in Dublin in the 138cm last summer, and the other won the Premier Pony Grand Prix in Ard Chuain.”