Punchestown International Three Day Event & Horse Show

The Irish Horse Board were proud sponsors of the Punchestown International Three Day Event and Horse Show over the weekend. With the return of the event in 2006, the IHB were delighted to be title sponsor of the CCI*** with a prize fund of €40,000. In addition to the eventing competition, showjumping and dressage classes were also held at Punchestown. The IHB series of showjumping classes for 5 year olds and 6/7 year olds opened at this prestigious event, as did the first Potential Irish Dressage Horse qualifier class.

The elite of the eventing community braved the elements to compete for the attractive prize fund of €40,000 in the Irish Horse Board CCI***. High profile British riders such as William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Pippa Funnell travelled over to compete against the best of the Irish, for the 40th anniversary of the Punchestown International Three Day Event.

Dressage took place on Friday, where William Fox-Pitt took the lead with the French-bred Idalgo. However, the cross country on Saturday proved to be the undoing of the dressage placings. Course designer Tommy Brennan asked serious questions of these horses and riders but the rain was detrimental to the ground and only eight of the starters were clear over the cross country element of the competition. Fox-Pitt, who was leading overnight, withdrew his horse before the final inspection. This left the way clear for the Irish duo, Sacha Pemble and I’ve Been Dun to take the honours in the CCI*** class. They were followed closely by Looks like Fun and Vicky Brake for Great Britain. For the first time since Jessica Harrington took the honours twenty years ago, an Irish rider won the event. Persistent rain meant that the prize giving was held unmounted and indoors. Chairman of the Irish Horse Board and former Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh was on hand to do the honours. Sacha received a worthy reception when she was presented with the first place prize of €16,000.

In addition to being title sponsor of the CCI***, the IHB sponsored several other class at Punchestown. On Friday afternoon James O’Connor flew in from England to judge the Irish Horse Board and Dressage Ireland Potential Irish Dressage Horse class for four and five year old horses. Taking the honours was Liam Maloney and Seamus Merrigan’s four year old stallion Lassban Clover Roller (ISH) by High Roller.

The Irish Horse Board 5 year old and 6/7 year classes were also affected by the heavy rain and qualifiers had to be moved from the grass ring to the main ring after the dressage on Friday evening. However, no amount of rain could dampen the weekend for Clem McMahon, who swept the boards taking the top spots in both classes. Both age groups provided hard-fought Finals and the standard of jumping was very high. In the 5 year old group Clem rode Tom Doyle’s Tampico Cru (ISH) to victory and then went on to win the 6/7 year old final on Gerry Higgin’s Badgerhill Cruise (ISH).

Despite the bad weather, it was widely felt that the Punchestown International Three Day Event and Horse Show was a huge success. People from all areas of the equestrian industry turned up to compete and spectate. The Irish Horse Board are delighted to have been sponsors and would like to thank Eventing Ireland and the organising committee, in particular Gillian and John Kyle, for all their hard work to ensure the success of the weekend.

The Punchestown Three Day Event will be aired on RTE 2 on Monday night, 22nd May, at 8pm. It will also go out on Sky Sports in two weeks time. This programme has been produce by Panache Production and the Irish Horse Board is extremely grateful to Karen Rodgers and her team for providing television coverage of this event.

PUNCHESTOWN RESULTS

CCI***:

1st I’ve Been Dun and Sacha Pemble (Irl)
2nd Looks Like Fun (ISH) – 1996 chestnut gelding by Touch Stone (ISH) out of Lavengaddy (TB), by Balgaddy (TB). Bred by Edel Reel, 47 Cashel Road, Silverbridge, Newry, Co. Down. Rider: Vicky Brake (Gbr)
3rd Watership Down (ISH) – 1997 bay gelding by Andretti (TB) out of Blonde (ISH), by Santa’s Sleigh (TB). Bred by Claire Carrigan, Rathokelly, Newcastle, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Rider: Louise Lyons (Irl)
4th Kincluny and Sarah Wardell (Irl)
5th Chamrock and Pippa Funnell (Gbr)
6th Ballystockart (ISH) – 1994 chestnut gelding. Rider: Sherelle Duke (Irl)
7th Swynnerton (ISH) – 1996 bay gelding by Colwyn (TB) out of Lismunga Lass (ISH). Bred by Gerard Duffy, Lismunga, Ruan, Co. Clare. Rider: Austin O’Connor (Irl)
8th Highleadon and Tor Brewer (Gbr)
9th Upward Trend and Phillippa Peters (Irl)
10th Kilkishen (ISH) – 1996 bay gelding by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Rider: Lt. Geoff Curran (Irl)

CCI**:

1st Singalong and Matthew Wright (Gbr)
2nd Kings Fancy and Mary King (Gbr)
3rd Westwood Joker (ISH) – 1999 bay gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Eaglerock Wendy (AID), by King of Diamonds (RID). Bred by Jackie O’Brien, Grangeford House, Callan Road, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Polly Stockton (Gbr)
4th Matter of Opinion and Pippa Funnell (Gbr)
5th Kilpatrick River (ISH) and Elizabeth Power (Irl)
6th Witch Doctor and Bettina Hoy (Ger)
7th Smart Enough and Sashe Stewart (Irl)
8th Another Cavalier (ISH) – 1993 brown mare out of Cavalier Royale (HOLST) by Another Flight (ISH), by Positively (TB). Bred by Ann Marie Jamieson, Ballinode, Co. Monaghan. Rider: Matthew Wright (Gbr)
9th Imperial Master (ISH) – 1998 bay gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Hugginstown Girl (ISH). Bred by Daniel Irish, Hugginstown, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Kitty Boggis (Gbr)
10th Supermans Flight (ISH) – 1998 chestnut gelding by Farney Clover (ISH) out of Mullah Light (TB), by Exhibitioner (TB). Bred by Margaret Dermody, Tiernascragh, Ballyerissane, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Rider: Fraser Duffy (Irl)

CCI**YR:

1st Killossery Ringwood (ISH) – 1999 bay mare by Touchdown (ISH) out of Cummer Clover (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID). Bred by Shane Connolly, Pollascossaun, Cummer, Tuam, Co. Galway. Rider: Sara Glynn (Irl)
2nd Sportsfield Wot The Heck (ISH) – 1992 chestnut gelding. Rider: Jennifer Ronan (Irl)
3rd Killossery Wrens Nest (ISH) – 1995 bay mare by Master Imp (TB) out of Shelly’s Diamond (ISH), by Bred by Noel Skelton, Ballyellan, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Robert Glynn (Irl)
4th Dovecote Young Jack and Tanya Buckingham (Gbr)
5th Only Millie (ISH) – 1996 bay mare by Vasco (TB) out of Just Trina (ISH). Bred by June Williams, Skahanagh, Doneraile, Co. Cork. Rider: Louise Coleman (Irl)

IHB 5 Year Old Showjumping Final:

1st Tampico Cru (ISH) – 2001 grey gelding by Cruising (ISH) out of Lady Rhode (ISH), by Trumpet Major (RID). Bred and owned by Thomas Doyle, Manor Stud, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon. Rider: Clem McMahon
2nd Pay Attention (ISH) – 2001 bay gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Wanda XVI (WURT), by Weltstar (OLD). Bred by Ronnie Kelly, Aghalacka, Askeaton, Co. Limerick. Owner: Thomas Byrne. Rider: Eddie Moloney
3rd Walterstown Clover (ISH) – 2001 bay mare by Clover Brigade (ISH) out of Oakport Castle Diamond (ISH), by Diamond Lad (RID). Bred by Daphne De Stacpoole-Lynch, Mill Bridge Farm, Bective, Kilmessan, Co. Meath. Owner: Ronan Tynan. Rider: Tholm Keane
4th Cratlieve Heather (ISH) – 2001 bay mare by Touchdown (ISH) out of Vella Flavour (ISH), by Ballinvella (TB). Bred by Diane McGuinness, Drumbilla, Kilcurry, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Owner/Rider: Kelda Morgan
5th Diamond R Cavalier (ISH) – 2001 brown gelding by Colin Diamond (ISH) out of Clonad Royale (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred by James Bergin, Fairfield House, Mountrath, Co. Laois. Owner/Rider: Linda Courtney
6th PA JP Fortuna (ISH) – 2001 grey mare by Heritage Fortunus (HANN) out of Lady Kilkenny Cavalier (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred by Mary Hughes, Ennisnag House, Stonyford, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Peter O’Toole. Rider: Daniela O’Toole

IHB 6/7 Year Old Showjumping Final:

1st Badgerhill Cruise (ISH) – 2000 grey mare by Cruising (ISH) out of Grange Katoomba (ISH), by Duca Di Busted (TB). Bred by Mary Brennan, Mill House, Upper Grange, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Gerry Higgins. Rider: Clem McMahon
2nd Credit Cruise (ISH) – 1999 grey gelding by Cruising (ISH) out of Bracklin Country Girl (ISH), by Penistone (TB). Bred by Charles Pidgeon, Bracklin, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath. Owner: Deirdre Bourns. Rider: Andrew Bourns
3rd Westwinds Cirracruise (ISH) – 2000 grey mare by Cruising (ISH) out of Newcastle Jane (ISH), by Caesar Imperator (TB). Bred by Christopher Ryan, Newcastle, Cleriestown, Co. Wexford. Owner: Alice Kehoe. Rider: Francis Connors
4th Miss Baloubet (ISH) – 2000 chestnut mare by Baloubet de Rouet (SF) out of Diamond Lilla (RID), by Diamond Lad (RID). Bred by Tom & Linda McGee, Cottage Stud, 22 Clonmakate Road, Birches, Portadown, Co. Armagh. Owner: CT Four. Rider: Catherine Thornton
5th North Cruise (ISH) – 1999 bay gelding by Cruising (ISH) out of Highland Clover (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID), Bred by John Elliott, The Ridge, Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow. Owner: North Cruise Syndicate. Rider: Richard Kerins
6th Kilmichael (ISH) – 1999 grey gelding by Cruising (ISH) out of Dunahall Diamond (RID), by Diamond Rock (RID). Bred by David O’Brennan, Clara Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Lt. Michael Kelly

Irish Horse Board & Dressage Ireland Potential Irish Dressage Horse Class Results:

1st Lassban Clover Roller (ISH) – 2002 bay stallion by High Roller (ISH) out of Clover Lighting (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID). Bred by Connie O’Boyle, Cloverhill Stables, Sligo. Owner/Rider: Seamus Merrigan, Lassban Sport Horses, Derrinclare Cottage, Derrinclare, Shinroe, Birr, Co Offaly
2nd Master Playboy (ISH) – 2001 chestnut gelding by Big Sink Hope (TB) out of Knoppogue Lady (ISH), by Carnival Night (TB). Bred by Ann Leamy, Teach an Fuinnseog, Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus, Co Clare. Owner/Rider: Emma Galway, Commonstown Stud, Moone, Co Kildare
3rd Ballyboe Integrity (ISH) – 2001 bay gelding by Ricardo Z (Zang) out of Gift of Sally (ISH), by Lucky Gift (TB). Bred by Gerard Marshall, Ballyboe, Kilsheelan, Clonmel,Co Tipperary. Owner: Mrs J G Webb, 5 Rathdown Villas, Terenure, Dublin 6. Rider: Sally Corscadden
4th Queens Way (ISH) – 2001 brown mare by Rich Rebel (TB) out of Ballyvasse Hill (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID). Bred by Mrs Gerldine Gahan, Newcastle, Newbawn, Co Wexford. Owner/Rider: Mary Kehoe, Tomsallagh, Ferns, Co Wexford
5th Flora Belle (ISH) – 2002 bay mare by Aldatus Z (OLD) out of Garrymore Clover (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID). Bred by Jim Seymour, Ballywilliams, Nenagh, Co Tipperary. Owner: Mel, Ultan & Fergal Nesbitt, Cloone, Loughmore, Templemore, Co Tipperary. Rider: Fergal Nesbitt