With a record 11 Irish-breds through to last Sunday’s World Young Horse Show Jumping Championship Finals at Lanaken, medals were certainly on the cards. And once again Irish horses and riders delivered.

Ireland’s first success came early in the morning in the five-year-old division as Carlow’s Jason Foley rode Sean Cubitt’s Rockwell RC to gold just ahead of Mikey Pender with the stallion Chacco Bay in silver for the Oldenburg stud book. The mare Rockwell RC is by Kannan (KWPN) out of a Guidam-sired dam and was bred by Ronan Byrne in Carlow. Pender took the lead in 38.15 but last to go in the 11 horse jump –off, Jason was home in a brilliant 37.72 for gold.

Pender had both MHS Cardenta and HHS Vancouver in the 16 horse six-year-old jump-off for Marion Hughes and Miguel Bravo. Irish rider Vincent Byrne was in the jump-off with Ronan Tynan’s Be Aware and placed seventh overall. Pender and Vancouver had two down to be out of the prizes.

However, he delivered with MHS Cardenta. Bred by Olive Clarke, he produced one of only five double clears in a time of 40.74 to finish second behind Germany’s Katrin Eckermann.

Another gold

The Hughes theme continued in Sunday afternoon’s seven-year-old final. Mikey Pender qualified HHS Javas Gucci, who he part owns along with Marion and Miguel. Also through was Seamus Hughes-Kennedy with Clare Hughes’ mare Cuffsgrange Cavadora, bred by Eamonn Sheehan.

Four faults denied Pender a top placing but Hughes-Kennedy was through and last to go in the eight horse jump-off. Three had gone clear when Hughes-Kennedy entered the main arena. Victor Mariano was in the lead for Brazil in 38.70, but the young Kilkenny man had the answer as he powered home in 38.58 for gold.

Last chance in Barcelona

An Irish suggestion at the first FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne back in 2012 that an Olympic qualifying place be derived from Nations Cup performance has come to pass. It would be great for Ireland to be the first to benefit from this new initiative at next week’s FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.

What the Irish need to do is qualify through from Friday’s preliminary round to the final nine team championship on Sunday.

If none of the other countries seeking the Olympic slot (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Columbia or Norway to name a few) make the cut then Ireland’s place is guaranteed. If, say, Italy also get through then the Irish have to finish above them to book a place at Tokyo 2020.

Young handler joy at the Ploughing

Once again the wonderful rapport of youth with their horse or pony was on ample display last week when the National Ploughing Championships again played host to Horse Sport Ireland’s Young Handler Championships.

A total of 23 finalists came before judges Tiernan Gill, Jane Darragh and Declan McArdle.

Topping the junior line was Donegal’s Niamh Sheridan with her Welsh pony Wyndham Limelight. Her sister Erin came fourth with another Welsh Cosford Midnight Mouse. Following her lap of honour Niamh told The Irish Horse: “This has been a great experience. I am starting veterinary next week and cannot wait to someday be an equine vet.”

The senior winner was Roising McGrath from Kilkenny with the Connemara Mahanagh Heather. She had come third last year and noted: “Ecstatic with moving up two places. I am heavily involved in the sport horse area and doing equine science at UL, so this is great!”