LOCALLY-produced horses did well in the final of the Treo Eile thoroughbred class at Wexford Equestrian on Wednesday but they were unable to fend off Westmeath raider Gervada who won on the day and claimed the league under owner, Charlie Krause Walshe.

This was a second success of the season for Walshe and her five-year-old Vadamos gelding who, earlier this month, landed the Treo Eile thoroughbred class at the final of the Western Region/Sealac event starter series. On the bay’s only racecourse appearance for trainer Ciaran Murphy in August 2021, he finished eighth of 13 in a three-year-old maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe. On Wednesday, he also won the Irish Horse Welfare Trust award for the highest-placed ex-racehorse in the league.

Danish international Walshe led throughout on Gervada who, recording one of seven clear rounds in the 12-strong final, completed on his dressage score (22 penalties), as did the Lilymai Berry-ridden Skylanna Scatman (25.2), the Alice Copithorne-partnered Red Rossanna (29.2) and the Tekka Whelan-ridden Fortunate Max (32). Four jumping penalties proved very expensive for Jo Andrews with Lucere (33.8) while eight proved even more so for Gerald Bloomer and Ballydrummond (36.2).

Walshe has a huge amount of experience behind her and last season finished third and second in the CCI1*-Intro classes at Kilquilkey House in late July and a month later at Millstreet on the ex-racehorse Herobrine. Following a break, Gervada, who was bred by Rory O’Brien out of the Deposit Ticket mare Gerobies Girl, will be aimed at the Young Eventhorse Series qualifiers. Walshe will either ride him herself in the five-year-old section or Chloe Fagan may partner him in the Young Riders’ qualifiers

Introduced this year, the novice league was won by Tekka Whelan with Michelle Brennan’s once-raced Maxios gelding Fortunate Max. She picked up a nice bonus of €750 (whose contributors include Denis Hickey of Garryrichard Stud) and was presented with the William Codd Perpetual Trophy by Louise Codd and their daughter Aria.

Lilymai Berry was the recipient of the Tiggy’s Trust award and the perpetual shield presented by Jessica Harrington as she was the leading junior rider (Under 18) at this year’s Stepping Stones to Success League.