The first ever final of the Horse Sport Ireland sponsored Combined Training Challenge took place in Barnadown Equestrian Centre in Co Wexford on Saturday.

Over the course of the season there were 14 qualifiers held across Ireland. Qualifiers were open to members of Dressage Ireland, Eventing Ireland, the Irish Pony Club, the Irish Pony Society and Riding Clubs.

Qualifiers were restricted to horses or ponies who had not show jumped above 1m20, not evented above two star or competed in dressage above Advanced Medium.

The classes ranged from show jumping 80cm to 1m10 and the dressage tests for each class were Preliminary or Novice level. The final boasted an impressive prize fund with €1,900 on offer in each of the four classes in the final. The winner of each class received €600.

Champions/ch>

Gilly Crawford won two of the four classes. The Co Wicklow based event rider partnered Chesterfield Willpower to victory in the 90cm class and she won the 1m10 with Calligstown Silver Doolin.

Crawford has been eventing the grey gelding Calligstown Silver Doolin for two years. They have recorded multiple national placings, including winning three EI100 classes.

Ian Grace won the 80cm division with Rhaegar WV and Terence White claimed the 90cm class with Garybritt Dignified.

Speaking after the final chairman of Dressage Ireland Gillian Kyle said: “Thank you very much to Horse Sport Ireland for sponsoring this competition, it has proved a huge success. The dressage judges today thought the standard of the Dressage was very good.”

CEO of Horse Sport Ireland Ronan Murphy said: “Congratulations to our four winners and all those who competed during the season. Horse Sport Ireland were delighted to sponsor the Combined Training Challenge which has proved very successful in introducing new people to dressage.”