Quality Irish Sport Horses Showcased at Tattersalls for FEHL Final

Last weekend at Tattersalls saw the culmination of the Future Event Horse League. Several classes were run under this league, dedicated to the promotion of Irish bred horses for use in eventing competitions. The Irish Horse Board were proud to sponsor the 4 and 5 year old league accumulators, with substantial prize money being on offer to the owners of Irish Sport Horses placed first, second and third in each age category. Prize money on offer was €750, €500 and €250 respectively.

It was commonly felt that the day and indeed the league was a resounding success. The course was designed and built by Tommy Brennan to ask enough questions of these young horses without being overly difficult. Top international judges were in attendance and the overall quality of both horses and riders was very high. For the organisers of the event, a good marker of the success of the FEHL was the large audience that turned up to watch the final, including some familiar faces from the international eventing circuit. It is felt that the FEHL is the perfect tool to indicate the type of Irish Sport Horse needed in eventing and the Irish Horse Board is proud to have been associated with such a prestigious event.

Also taking place at Tattersalls last Saturday was the final of the Eventing Ireland Training Committee Riders League. The aim of this league is to provide young riders with encouragement and education to enable them to reach their full potential and to encourage training at the development levels of eventing. The Irish Horse Board were delighted to provide the top three prizes in the three age categories of Child Level, Junior Level and Young Rider Level. The prizes in each category were training bursaries of €1500, €750 and €500, which the Irish Horse Board hope will be of great benefit to the young participants.

Results Round-Up:

Future Event Horse League

4 Year Old League Accumulator:
1st BM Belwin Babe (ISH) – 2001 bay mare by Kings Master (ISH) out of Bonny Beg (ISH), by Leabeg (ISH). Bred by Katy Murphy, Belmont Stud, Gallows, Kilcock, Co. Meath. Owner: Katy Murphy. Rider: Billie Jean O’Neill
= 2nd The Last Samurai (ISH) – 2001 bay gelding by Cult Hero (TB) out of Bing Power (ISH), by Tomgar Power Crest. Bred by Bryan Maguire, Tomgar, Ballycarnew, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Owner: John Keane. Rider: Clare Lambert
= 2nd Westwinds Dakota (ISH) – 2001 brown gelding by Regal Sting (TB) out of Glen Cross (RID), by Holy Cross (RID). Bred by Seamus Neville, Ballyknock, Ballynoe, Mallow, Co. Cork. Owner: Alice Kehoe. Rider: Louise Codd

5 Year Old League Accumulator:
1st DSL Duke Ellington (ISH) – 2000 chestnut gelding by Duky (TB) out of My Morning Cloud VII (OLD), by Inschallah X (AA). Bred by Lars & Caroline Bjoerk, Dollanstown Stud, Kilcock, Co. Kildare. Owner: Lars & Caroline Bjoerk. Rider: Caroline Bjoerk
2nd Mr Aero (ISH) – 2000 chestnut gelding. Breeding not recorded. Owner: Gilly Crawford. Rider: Gilly Crawford
3rd Brace Yourself (ISH) – 2000 bay gelding by Ghareeb (TB) out of Killea Duchess (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID). Bred by William Martin, Moneylawn, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Owner: John Keane. Rider: Clare Lambert

Highest placed 4 year old mare registered in IHR:
BM Belwin Babe (ISH) – see above for breeding

Highest placed 5 year old mare registered in IHR:
Ballymoney (ISH) – 2000 bay mare by Coevers Diamond Boy (ISH) out of Murrough Hope (ISH), by Chair Lift (TB). Bred by Jack Casey, Craggagh, Murrough, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Lt. Brian Curran-Cournane

Eventing Ireland Training Committee Riders League

Child Level:
1st Paula Stone with Cherry Sparrow. Trainers: Janet Murray (Flat & Jumping)
2nd Racheal Moorehead with Dorney Park. Trainers: Lise Helberg (Flat & Jumping)
3rd Kate Harrington with Stallone. Trainers: Judy Bradwell (Flat) & Con Power (Jumping)

Junior Level:
1st Sara Glynn with Killossery Ringwood or Kruisita. Trainers: Anne Merveldt Steff & David Lee (Flat) & Laura & Ciaran Glynn (Jumping)
2nd Claire Schaefer with Balyroly. Trainers: Yvette Truesdale (Flat)
3rd Laura Breheny with Lackstone NV. Trainers: Anne-Marie Dunphy (Flat) & Neilous O’Donoghue (Jumping)

Young Rider Level:
1st Louise Bloomer with High Jinx. Trainers: Niall Quirke (Flat) & Paula Cullen (Jumping)
2nd Isabella Crosse with Unforgivable. Trainers: Majella Grey (Flat & Jumping)
3rd Deirdre Reilly with Ground Control. Trainers: Gisela & Heike Holstein (Flat) & Jack Doyle (Jumping)