THE Horse Sport Ireland Development Series for show jumping horses kicked off this weekend with Galway Equestrian playing host to the first round of five.

For 2023, the Autumn Development Series will run as five standalone legs with prize money available across the four-year-old, five-year-old and six/seven-year-old age classes for competitors, as well as breeders’ prizes.

The series is open to all horses that are registered in a WBFSH-member studbook with a specific breed documented within their studbook passport.

In total, 27 combinations went to post in the €4,400 six/seven-year-old decider and 13 of those delivered double clears. Taking the win was Denise Hopkins riding the seven-year-old MDSandyhill Princess Mia, when clear in 43.05. Owned by John Carey and bred by Michael Egan, the mare is by Numero Cruise out of the Iroko-sired MDSandyhill lady Harliko.

Amateur rider Orla Dixon took second place with the seven-year-old Castlelawn Lux Special; they were fractions behind in 43.45. Jointly owned by Orla and her mother, Therese Dixon, the gelding was bred by Michael John Morris by Castlelawn Captain Junior out of Lux Flamenco (Je T’Aime Flamenco).

Junior rider James Derwin and Ballywalter Stables’ six-year-old Amos L Z (A Golden Boy Hero Z x F Luna L) came home in 44.09 for third. Suzanne Posnett and the seven-year-old Luscinia Eickenrode crossed the line in 44.16 for eventual fourth. Owned by Pamela Posnett, the mare is by Detroit VDL out of the Silverstone dam Annastasia.

A clear from Mark Duffy and the seven-year-old Dragonheart Z in 44.50 saw them take fifth. The gelding by Dallas VDL is owned by Karen Geoghegan and bred by Colla and Van Hoof.

Young rider Hallie Crowe and her own six-year-old Riverstown Flamenco Cruise completed the top six when they stopped the clock in 45 seconds. Bred by Vincent Burton, the gelding is by Je T’Aime Flamenco out of the Cruising-sired Huntingdale.

In the four-year-old section. From the 18 combinations that went to post, 11 delivered clears to share the €2,500.

The five-year-old section, which boasted a prize fund of €3,200, saw 21 of the 32 starters deliver double clears and share the prize fund. (See results section for double clears).