“HE’s a Labrador in horse form” was how Broadleas Chase was described when consigned to the viewing day of elite Irish eventing ponies run by Meryl Connaughton and Becky Cullen last October at Killossery Lodge Stud, where he was one of eight animals to change hands.

We don’t know what kind of a CV a canine equivalent would have brought to the north Co Dublin equestrian centre, but Broadleas Chase, a 2015 grey Irish Sport Pony, was listed with a successful record in unaffiliated eventing classes, hunter trials, dressage and Pony Club competitions. He had also competed in Show Jumping Ireland 80cm and 90cm classes as a horse but, prior to the viewing day, he had been measured in at 148cm and so, as such, was in the correct company.

Out of a Connemara mare by Rathcoona Cove, ‘Harry’, as he is more commonly known, was purchased by Eventing Ireland Northern Region member Gemma Esler of GE Equestrian for her daughter, Ana Goodrich.

New combination

Last Saturday, the new combination made their presence felt in round five of the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing series at The Meadows, where they won Section A of the Intro class on the very impressive score of 78%.

Twelve-year-old Ana, who recorded a double show jumping clear on Harry in Saturday’s 80cm class and another on Chief at 70cm level, attends Ballyclare Secondary School, which she successfully and passionately represents playing hockey.