THE last qualifier for the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway series took place at Iverk Show. The Iverk Show, founded in 1862, is Ireland’s oldest Agricultural Show and there was a great family oriented atmosphere.

Judges Mary O’Halloran and Aubrey Chapman had the task of sorting out a lovely group of thoroughbreds and handing out the last golden tickets ahead of the final at the Royal Meath Show taking place tomorrow, Sunday, September 1st.

It was great to see new faces in the show ring in both classes. The Novice section was well supported with 14 combinations coming before the judges. The lineup didn’t change from the initial order and it was Sarah Phelan and the unnamed gelding by Robin Des Champs that took the top spot.

“I got him out of Liam Cussack’s yard about five years ago, just to hack and ride alongside young horses,” Phelan said. “It was only this year that I decided to take him to a show in Barnadown where he finished third and I thought, well I may as well keep going now!” G describes him as “an absolute pet who is a pleasure to do anything with”.

Second place went to Adam Delaney and It’s A Hoofer. This nine-year-old son of Loup Breton is owned by Louise Williams, raced six times when trained by Liz Doyle. “He’s a pleasure to work with, very laid back and easy going with such a good nature,” a delighted Adam said. “When he first came off the track he wasn’t quite as easy but he’s a different horse now, that was his first show in about two years and his first time in the show ring.”

In the open section, it was Sarah Neville and Limekiln Rock who took top honours and earned their place in the final. The seven-year-old came out of training with Mouse Morris in February of last year and Sarah was delighted to get the chance to retrain him. “I work in Mouse’s yard and I rode him out every day and always knew he would be a candidate for this.

“I started retraining him that summer, he was a little hot to start with but has really settled into it now. He’s still stabled in Mouse’s yard so I get to see him at work and do him from there.”

In second place was Benruben and Katie Vickers. This combination had already qualified for the final after winning at the Wicklow Hunt Show so the place in the final was handed down to Sarah Lang and Sky Tempest. “We bought Sky in October 2022 and I broke her myself before she went into training with Louise Lyons and Nicky Teehan. I rode her out each weekend which was great as I kept up a rapport with her,” said Lang who also commented on the mare’s versatility.

“She loves to please, has an amazing brain and is the kindest soul. I hope to do some show jumping over the winter and maybe go eventing with her next year as she is very careful.”

The final of the series takes place tomorrow (September 1st) at the Royal Meath Show.