Millstreet CSI2* International Show came to an exciting close on Sunday. Susan Fitzpatrick and Fellow Castlefield claimed victory in the 1.45m Grand Prix. The Kilkenny rider took over €8,000 for her efforts. Owned by Susan’s mother, Sharon, Fellow Castlefield (KWPN) is an eight-year-old stallion by Je T’Aime Flamenco and out of Liefhebber. The pairing were fastest of four double clears in 51.13 seconds. This result comes on the back of the same combination finishing seventh in the seven and eight-year-old division at the Dublin Horse Show.

Castledermot native, Mikey Pender added to his tally when he took the runner-up place with Casanova Van Overis Z, clear in 51.56. Owned by Miguel Bravo, the Belguim-bred 10-year old is by Casper Van Erpekom Z and out of Eau De Parfum Van Overis.

Canadian based Daniel Coyle is making the most of his time back in Ireland. He had a successful week at the Dublin Horse Show and finished third in the Grand Prix at Millstreet with the eight-year-old Cardento 993-sired Farrel.

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Cian Harrison and Tabby were the last of the double clears and filled fourth place. Bred and owned by Pamela Donaghy, the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse is by Captain Clover and out of the Cruising mare Majestic Cruise.

Greg Broderick finished on four faults in 54.51 for fifth. Broderick partnered the nine-year-old mare Dabelle, who is by Nabab de Reve and out of the Chin Chin-sired dam, Ta Belle Van Sombeke. The mare was previously campaigned up to 1.40m level by German rider Theresa Kamps.

Completing the top six line-up was Aidan Killeen and Idream. The 11-yeaqr-old mare is by Irasir and out of Lavleisa. Owned by Andrea Vogel she is a new mount for Killeen.

Dominant

There were dominant riders and breeders consistently placing at the show. Sven Hadley won three of the 10 international classes. The Galway rider took the honours with Vvood Stock de Breve in the opening class – the 1.25m on Friday and Saturday. Waterford native Paddy O’ Donnell won the 1.35m Gold Tour with Minority Report and was also second in the 1.30m class.

Other winners in the international arena included, Mikey Pender (Casanova Van Overis Z), John Floody (Shalamar Cassino), Laura Connors (Just Jump) and Aidan Killeen (Idream) and Jack Ryan (Cavalier Teaca).

In the young horse classes two names of breeders stood out, the Hughes and the late Ita Brennan. Between them, their breeding lines and horses that they produced dominated the line-ups.

A family steeped in equestrian history, the Hughes family from Kilkenny have shaped the face of the horse sport industry in Ireland. Seamus Hughes’ sister, the late Ita Brennan, also shared this passion, breeding world class horses, such as MHS Going Global, who was part of the Aga Khan winning team.

Five-year-olds

The first win for the Hughes family was delivered when Mikey Pender partnered HHS Vancouver to victory in the Millstreet Ruby five-year-old Grand Prix Final. Owned and bred by Marion Hughes, this Indoctro-sired gelding has been consistently placed in the Stud Book Series this year.

Shane Goggins and the grey gelding Dp Revere finished second. Accounting for third place was Susan Fitzpatrick and the Bravo Hughes Ltd and Didy Morgan owned, Csf Foxy Lady. This bay mare is by KEC Maximum Joe and out of CSF Alina. Kevin Gallagher was fourth with Brendan McSorley’s homebred Presidential Ball. The stallion is by Clinton and out of Echo Peach.

Mikey Pender’s success continued as he led the victory lap in the six and seven-year-old Boomerang Grand Prix Final. Riding HHS Geneva, he was fastest of seven double clears in 36.72 seconds. Bred by the Hughes family and now jointly owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd and George Benninger the seven-year-old gelding is by OBOS Quality 004 and out of a Clover Hill mare, Clover Z.

Jack Brennan and MHS Jersey Girl slotted into second. Owned and bred by Sinead Byrne from Kilkenny, the seven-year-old mare is by Cardento and out of MHS Prime Time. She has been produced by Brennan and has clocked up a number of wins in the aged classes.

Kate Derwin and Carol Gee’s MHS Fernhill Showtime crossed the line in 38.61 for third. Bred by the late Ita Brennan, the six-year-old gelding is by Cavalier Royale and out of the O.B.O.S Quality 004 sired dam, MHS OBOS Cruise.

The Bravo Hughes family featured in the line up once again when Kevin Gallagher partnered Javas Gucci to take fourth place.

Francis Connors and the Sinead Byrne-owned MHS High Hopes slotted into fifth. Another Ita Brennan-bred gelding, the seven-year-old is by Quidam Junior 1 and out of Gowran Lady.

Sixth place belonged to Gemma Phelan and Curraghgraigue Obos Flight. Bred and owned by Baden Powell, the six-year-old gelding is by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 and out of Curraghgraigue Errigal. A successful breeding line for Powell, his half-brother Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight is campaigned by Liam O’ Meara with much success at home and abroad.

Four-year-olds

In the four-year-old National Discovery Horse final on Saturday, 27 combinations were put through their paces. It was another Bravo Hughes victory as Eireann Lvs Z and Mikey Pender were awarded 111 points to win the class. Bred by LVS Stud in Tipperary, the Zangersheide gelding is by Emerald and out of Beyonce RK.

Michaeli Ann Byrne and the Julian Pearson and Ronan Rothwell-owned stallion Jan Van Holland took second with a score of 110. John Mulligan and Lough Scur Quality Lady finished third.

Winner of the three-year-old Young Irelander Final was Jonathan Flynn and Diane Fletcher’s Dodarde E Z. A stallion, by Dallas Vdl x Zeu, on 98 points.