In the regional leagues, Irish Sport Horses proved to be a dominant force and again it is great to see horses graduate from the Irish Studbook Show jumping series and move up the levels. These leagues offer generous prize funds and allow riders to support local shows in their region. They are also a valuable training ground for young horses and riders moving up the ranks.

Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour

Although one of the newest leagues, the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour is proving to be a real hit, with large numbers supporting it. Following a competitive tour, it was Paddy O’Donnell that claimed the 1.35m leading rider prize, when accumulating up 48 points. Riding Minority Report, he also won the horse/rider combination prize.

Based in Kilfarrasy, Tramore, O’Donnell is no stranger to success, he was previously crowned National Champion in 2013. Along with national success, he has racked up a series of good results on the international circuit up to CSIO5* level, including wins in Dublin CSI5* and Hickstead CSI4*.

Working alongside his father Paddy O’Donnell snr and his partner Maria Dagg, he currently has over 20 horses in training. Alongside the horses, the family also farm cattle and breed a small amount of horses.

Owned by Joanna Rimmer, Minority Report (2002), who was previously called Finnegans Whiskers was campaigned by his owner on the eventing circuit in the UK up to CIC3*. Last year, under O’Donnell’s command the combination finished second in Cavan International, seventh in the Derby Qualifier in Hickstead CSI4 * and sixth in the Derby.

One to look out for in the O’Donnell stable for next year is Swing Time. Bred by Michael O’Loughlin from Kerry and now owned by O’Donnell’s partner Maria Dagg, Swing Time is a 10-year-old gelding by Ars Vendi and out of Annabeg Dolly (Harlequin Du Carel).

O’Donnell has already planned a busy start to 2019. He is getting married in January and hopes to complete his new indoor school before the big day. Last year, the Waterford rider expanded the premises when he built a new stable block.

Francis Connors

Munster Grand Prix

Francis Connors once again took home the Connolly’s Redmills Munster Grand Prix title. Riding HVL Consun he claimed the title on 48 points and the runner-up place with Clarabell on 32 points.

The mare HVL Consun was bred by Tina McDermott and is owned by Damien Conway. She is by Air Jordan Z and out of the Cavalier Royale sired mare Highland Lady C. She is a half-sister to Cavalux (Lux Z), who was campaigned by Martine Lund from Norway, is also a half-sister to the stallion Highland Guidam, who is successfully campaigned by Jade Lawlor on the national circuit.

Connors’ has had a successful season on the national circuit and has some horses to watch for 2019, including Charlie Jayne’s French bred Clair Du Lune, (Quality Touch x Adelaine). Connor’s had a great season with MHS High Hopes and was chosen to represent Ireland at the Lanaken in the seven-year-old division.

This gelding, bred by the late Ita Brennan, is by Quidam Junior and out of Gowran Lady (Cavalier Royale) and is now being campaigned by Darragh Kenny.

Hugh Fitzpatrick from Cavan has been a very loyal owner to Connors from many years and this relationship continues to flourish and next year promises to be exciting for this partnership. Based in Cavan, Fitzpatrick has bred some very promising horses including Erne Ladygoldilocks (2007 VDL Douglas by Erne Touch).

Under Connors this mare has had multiple wins at the highest level, including finishing fourth in the Top Spec Autumn Grand Prix in October and second in the TRM New Heights Grand Prix in Barnadown. Her dam, Erne Touch, was campaigned by Connors and qualified for Dublin Horse Show as a seven-year-old. She was then campaigned by Aishling Fitzpatrick.

Last year Connors clocked up a series of impressive results with some of Fitzpatrick’s younger horses, Erne Lux Diamond (2011 Erne Belle), Erne Riverrun (2013 Antaeus x Erne Clover Z), Erne Mountain Dew (2012 Lux Z x Erne Blaze).

Connaught Grand Prix League

In the Sven Hadley Transport Connaught Grand Prix League Raphael Lee took the title with Captain Marko for the second year in a row. The combination recorded four wins and a series of placings to finish on 57.5 points. Owned by his uncle John Lee and bred by Gabriel Slattery, Captain Marko (2011) is by Captain Clover and out of White Kannan.

In 2017, the combination qualified for the young rider class in Dublin. As a five-year-year-old under Lee’s command they qualified for Dublin and finished third in a qualifier. The pairing have also been consistently placed in the Studbook classes.

A full brother, Lakeview Captain Kannan (2001), is currently being campaigned on the young rider circuit by Oliver Penfold. Another full brother, Captain on the Move (2008), has proved successful on the eventing circuit.

Daniel McAlinden and Fairfield In The Pub (ISH) finished second on 43 points. Bred by John Earls, the 2005 gelding is by Ard VDL Douglas and out of the Smooth Stepper sired dam, Smooth Cloud. In 2014, he was competed on the UK eventing circuit with Charlotte East.

Another one to watch for next year is Clonguish Vivaro (ISH). With Jessica Burke in command this gelding finished third in the Connaught Grand Prix League and fifth in the National Grand Prix league. Bred and owned by Bernard and Josephine Jordan from Longford, Clonguish Vivaro (2009) is by Vivaldo Van Het Costersveild and out of Clonguish Gold (Tanaos). The Jordan’s have had much success with the dam and have seven offspring registered from her. Their choice of stallions includes, Womanizer, Camillo VDL. Lancelot, O.B.O.S quality 004 and Tyson.

Ulster Grand Prix

Simon Scott won the Ballyward Equestrian and SJI Ulster Region Summer Tour 1.35m Summer tour. Scott partnered Jasmine Tide to victory to end a great season. He won the final round at the Meadows in late August. The same combination also finished third in the Top Spec Autumn Grand Prix in the Northern Indoor Championships and won a 1.35m Grand Prix in Cavan.

Bred by Anthony Doherty from Donegal, Jasmine Tide (2009) is by Kroongraaf and out of Marie Douglas (Ard Vdl Douglas). R J Smyth from Tyrone has bred two other offspring from the dam, a 2018 filly and a 2017 colt, both of which are by Sligo Candy Boy.

Scott also took fourth in the league with Ploverfield Lilanna. Bred by Frank O’Connor from Cork, the mare (2010) is by Eurocommerce Pittsburg and out of the Last News (USA) sired dam. She has been consistently placed at this level and in the ISH Studbook Series and is a half-sister to the gelding Shalamar Cassino (Cassino).