Last week proved to be a very busy week for riders as they headed to Millstreet to battle it out at the CSI2* International show. Taking place the week before the Dublin Horse Show allowed riders a perfect warm-up for the five star show.

There was a full range of classes, from loose jumping to ponies. Millstreet has always proven to be a great shop window for potential stars who are just starting out and the Young Irelander is always one to watch.

In this class, one horse certainly caught the eye of the judges as he won both the qualifier and the final. It was the three-year-old stallion Mr Lincoln B on a total of 111 points. In the conformation, movement and canter he was just one point off the maximum score.

Top marks

In the test of scope the stallion was awarded the maximum mark of 20 points, while in natural ability he was awarded 23 out of 25 points. Bred by Belmont House Stud, the stallion is by Aganix Du Seigneur and out of the mare Lucy In The Sky B.

This rising star is showing plenty of promise having won the RDS Loose Jumping Qualifier at Ross House. Mr Lincoln B’s sire, Aganix was successfully competing with Jos Lansink at 1.60m level, while Mr Lincoln B’s grand dam Wandonga was successful at 1.60m, ridden by Cameron Hanley and Daniel Etter.

The mare Lucy In The Sky B has produced six foals of which two are a full brothers to Mr Lincoln B. Lucy in the Sky B is in foal to the Belmont Stud and Luc Henry owned Celtic Hero and Celtic Hero’s dam, Cricket Z (Caretano Z x For Pleasure) is in foal to Mr Lincoln, who also stands at Belmont House Stud, along with Setter and Ganesh Hero Z.

STRONG SECOND

Finishing second to Mr Lincoln B in the final was Katie Lawless’ Ts Dark Quality. This gelding finished third in the earlier qualifier. In the final he finished just four points off the winner on a score of 107 points.

A three-year-old by Elvis Ter Putte and out of the O.B.O.S quality 004-sired mare Gowran Park, this Irish Sport Horse was bred by Deirdre Bourns of Bourns Sport Horses in Galway. Bourns has bred another two from this mare, crossing her with Kannan and Luidam.

PENDER DOMINATES

In the six/seven-year-old final, Mikey Pender dominated the class when taking first and second place with two of Marion Hughes’s (ISH) homebreds. Riding the six-year-old, Hhs Fortune (Catoki x Ard Vdl Douglas) and out of HHS Daisy which was bred by Thomas Hughes, the pairing took the win when they lodged a clear in 36.12.

Pender then partnered the seven-year-old gelding, HHS Washington to second when clear in 37.44 . Bred by Marion’s partner, Miguel Bravo , the gelding is by Tineranas Inspector out of the dam Cadiz.

In the five-year-old final, Pender took the win on Marion Hughes’ Forty Roses, when they were fastest of the three double clears in 36.56.

Another well related mare by Heritage Fortunus out of the Ramiro B sired HHS Diamond Exchange. The mare was bred by Declan Kehoe from Kilkenny. The sire Heritage Fortunus was campaigned by Marion Hughes and Bravo to the highest level.

GRAND PRIX GOLD

Taking the win in the final 1.45m Grand Prix Gold Tour and winner’s share of over €8,000 was National Champion Francis Connors. Riding Hugh Fitzpatrick’s Erne Lady Goldilocks he lodged the only double clear in 52.57 seconds.

Bred by Fitzpatrick himself, the ten-year-old mare is by Ard VDL Douglas and out of the Some Touch sired Erne Touch.

The mare has proved very consistent for Connors and has represented Ireland at the World Young Horse Championships at Lanaken and has competed in the age classes at Dublin Horse Show.

Produced by Connors, the mare has been placed at the highest level at home and abroad. Erne Lady Goldilocks half sister Erne Luxetta by Lux Z was also campaigned by Connors and now by Jenny Connors.

Irish Draught showcase spectacular

There will be a total of 28 classes at this year’s IDHBA national breed show, which takes place at Punchestown Racecourse on 2 September, 2017.

This year one new class has been added to the ridden section – the first ever Irish Draught Side Saddle Class sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland. There is €1,000 in prize money for this class, with prizes going from first to fifth place and a prize for the winning breeder and winning rider.

At the official launch of the show last week, committee member Una Holohan said: “We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful sponsors and prizes on offer for exhibitors in all classes at this year’s show.

“We have three stallion nominations that will be awarded to the Champion Mare, Mare of the Future and Supreme Champion. On top of that the rider of our Champion Ridden Horse will receive their choice of a pair of Dubarry Boots. In addition to the prize money this year we have a bag of Foulksmills hay/haylage for every first prize-winner.

“We have three judges coming over from the UK, one of whom will be our ride judge.”

Entries are now open and can be done online at idhba.ie. Entries close on 25 August, late entries or entries on the day are not accepted.