In Simmonscourt, the Moi Chroi National Championship took centre stage on Saturday afternoon, crowds gathered to watch the six finalists. with crowds gathering to see which of the six finalists would take home the title. The point scoring allowed 100 points for jumping technique/natural ability, 50 for future potential and 50 marks for rideability.

Judging the class on the day were Stanny Van Paesschen and Bart Bles. Horses were also put through their paces, either by Daniel Coyle or Richard Howley. Following some tough judging, the quartet picked their winner in JDP Dougland. Bred by Mayo man Joe Prendergast, the four-year-old gelding is by Ard VDL Douglas and out of the Corland-sired dam Dourwies.

Ridden by Shane Goggins, the gelding led after the first round when awarded 78 points. In the second round he was assessed by Richard Howley. The combined score of 154 points saw him take the title and the Seamus Hughes Memorial Trophy.

Goggins said: “It was a great result and I am delighted for Joe Prendergast. Joe also has a full sister to JDP Doughland, who will hopefully be here next year. We broke him at Christmas and took it slowly. We went to the one qualifier and lucky enough we won that.” With regards to if the horse will stay in Ireland, he said: “Everything is for sale, so time will tell.”

Cuffe claims second

Cathy Cuffe’s mare, Katrorevel, took the runner-up spot in the first round. Ridden by Ita McDermott, the mare scored 62.5 points. In the second round, under Daniel Coyle’s command, scored well to finish on 133.5 points. Claiming third place was the Etter Sportpferde AG-owned Ganesh Hero Z. A stallion by Gemini Cl XX, out of Hiamant Vant Roosakker, he was in joint second in the first round and after completing a shortened course with Richard Howley, finished on 132.50 points.

Sophie Richards and SRS Imperial finished on a combined score of 129. Ridden by Jack Ryan, Seamus Drea’s DHS Cluen had an unlucky four faults in the second round. A final score of 121.50 saw them finish fifth. Catherine Thornton partnered her own Draco Q into sixth on a score of 112.50.

During the class judges gave the crowd insights into what they feel is important in a young horse. Van Passion said: “A young horse must have good conformation, balance and be super careful.” Bart Bles agreed and added: “The mares that you breed must have blood, be rideable, have a good mind and scope.”

Temple Alice wins six-year-old championship

Sixteen six-year-olds contested their championship and of those six went through to the jump-off, where only two double clears were delivered. The fastest of those was Kilkenny rider Eddie Moloney with Temple Alice.

Bred by Susan MacDonald from Wexford and jointly owned by Moloney and TSI Equestrian, the pairing clocked the winning time of 40.66. Temple Alice is a gelding by Foxglen Cruise Control and out of the Rantis Diamond-sired dam Innishannon Shamrock. Moloney said that “the horse would remain in Ireland for the foreseeable future”.

Delighted with the win, he added: “It was a great result for the horse. I bought him from Tholm Keane and he had qualified last year for the RDS and was placed third in two of the qualifiers. He is very consistent and hopefully the next trip will be to Lanaken.”

Gerard Clarke and King Lupin delivered the only other double clear in 40.72 for second place. Kenneth Graham and Pacion Amiro were fastest of the four faulters in 41.43 for third.

The National Young Rider champion, Jack Ryan had one on the floor with BBS McGregor for eventual fourth. Olivia Roulston and Miss Valent also proved out of luck when carrying four faults in 42.79 for fifth. Damien Griffin and the Andrea Etter and Luc Henry-owned Celtic Hero BZ, crossed the line with just one on the ground in 43.51, for sixth.

Pender wins five-year-old championship

On Sunday morning, qualified combinations took to the main arena to contest the young horse championships. The five-year-olds were first up in the Flexible National Championship. From 16 starters, there were 12 clears who progressed to the jump off.

Michael Pender and MHS New York delivered the fastest of five double clears in 33.93 seconds, to win the class. Bred by Thomas Brennan and owned by Miguel Bravo and Marion Hughes, the gelding is by Quidam Junior and out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam Cavalier Kells.

Speaking after the win, Pender said: “I am delighted with the result and how the horse performed. He was second on Friday and has been consistent over the season. The plan now, will hopefully be Lanaken.”

Aidan Killen and BP Wakita had a double clear in 37.62 for second. Bred by Greg Broderick and owned by Klee Hellerman, the mare is by Pacino and out of the Cruising sire mare BP Masterpiece.

Richard Kerins was fractions behind to finish third with Gin and Tonic. Derek McConnell and Izzy also kept all the poles in place for fourth. Winner of the four year-old class, Shane Goggins, was back in the ribbons, this time taking fifth with DPS Revere, clear.

Winner of the qualifier on Thursday, Gerard O’Neill proved that the time could be beaten as he clocked 34.22 with Castlefield Mathilda, but four faults meant that they had to settle for sixth.

Coyle success in seven and eight-year-olds

Canadian-based Daniel Coyle led the victory lap in the seven and eight-years-olds category when he delivered the winning round with Legacy, jumping clear in 38.32. Bred by Romain Rotty and owned by Ariel Grange, the eight-year-old Zangersheide mare is by Chippendale Z and out of Regina D.

Very little separated the next placing. English rider Amanda Derbyshire partnered Celina BH to a clear round in 38.47. Last of the double clears in 39.08 was Philip McGuane and Antigone Gravelotte. Michael Pender was back in the line-up when he finished fastest of the four faulters with HHS Calais in 37.86. Also taking another rosette was Jack Ryan, when he crossed the line with Essenar High Hopes in 38.48. Darragh Kenny and Billy Dorito finished on four faults for sixth.