Before the new year is too far in, we would like to take a look back at the 2016 season and give a salute to some of the breeders whose progeny had success in the various show jumping and eventing leagues and championships supported by Horse Sport Ireland. These are the people who supply the basic material for equestrian sport and its riders to thrive and their contribution at times gets lost in our efforts to report results.

Beginning with Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series, the 2016 Five-Year-Old League winner was the stallion Castlelawn Captain Junior, bred by Elizabeth Gallagher in Swinford out of a Diamond Lad dam. Ridden by Shane Dalton, this son of his own Captain Clover has also had a second at Lanaken and a fourth in the Classic at Cavan.

The Seven-Year-Old League winner was Loughnavatta Indigo bred by Rory Costigan at Carrick View Stud, Loughnavatta, Roscrea, County Tipperary. This one is by Billy Twomey’s Nations Cup ride Luidam and out of a VDL Arkensas dam.

EVENTING

Turning to eventing, we look at the league winners of 2016. In six-year-olds, Cushlas Sky Imp, bred by William Donegan of Ballinagrane, Borris, was the winner. This traditional Irish-bred is by the great Master Imp out of a dam by Sky Boy.

The five-year-old winner was the now very well known Business Class, bred in County Wicklow by Gary Hadden and his partner Brianne Stanley. He is by Harlequin Du Carel and out of an Oldenburg dam. Business Class was highest placed Irish horse for Sophie Richards at last year’s World Young Horse Eventing Championships in Le Lion d’Angers and was just recently sold to the USA for Allie Knowles to ride. At the pre-Christmas Horse Sport Ireland Breeders Awards, Gary’s dad Don Hadden was on hand to receive Business Class’s eventing trophy.

In 2016 there were three Young Horse Eventing Championships run for four, five and six-year-olds.

Taking the four-year-old crown was Poynstown Star, bred by John Martin of Soolmoy, Ardcroney, Nenagh, County Tipperary. OBOS Quality is the sire of this one out of a Good Thyne dam. The five-year-old winner was the mare Shanagore Jenga that Bob O’Keeffe of Ashfield Hourse, Shanagore, Innishannon, County Cork bred by Westcoast Cavalier out of Mission Belle.

In six-year-olds, a son of Pacino called Gorsehill Horation was the winner. This one out of a VDL Arkensas dam was bred by Anne Bannon at Gorsehill Stud, Ballinclea, Brittas Bay, County Wicklow.

In the pony section, well known Donegal breeder Geraldine Graham of Lenamore Stables, Muff, bred the winner Tullibards Lucky Kate.

To all of those breeders we offer our congratulations. During the season ahead, we will endeavour to make mention of many more people who bred winners and possible future stars.