With a total of €13,550 on offer, the hotly contested 2014 Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series finals took place at the Tattersalls Ward Union Hunt Show last weekend.

As well as deciding the winners of the final legs and leagues, a number of places were for up for grabs for automatic selection for the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses at Lanaken this year. So, understandably, entries were strong for the final leg of this year’s series, with 88 five-year-olds, 46 six-year-olds and 30 seven-year-olds entered for the qualifier classes.

Five-year-olds

In the Five-Year-Old Final, it was Ger O’Neill and the Luidam (KWPN) mare Ard Ginger Pop (ISH) out of Derrylea Greylady (ISH) by Cruising (ISH). Bred by Heather Dean-Wright, Meath, who proved supreme in the final class and subsequently this League.

Six-year-olds

In the Six-Year-Old Final, Alexander Butler rode a faultless round aboard the Hannah Joyce-owned mare Talks Cheap (ISH) (Tinaranas Inspector (WESTF) out of Dreaming (ISH) by Colin Diamond (ISH). Bred by Ronnie Kelly, Limerick) to also take home the spoils in both the class and the League. The same combination won the Five-Year-Old Consolation class at Lanaken in 2013.

Seven-year-olds

The Seven-Year-Old league winner had already been decided with the Harold McGahern-owned Rincoola Rua (ISH) with Edward Butler unbeatable.

Thomas O’Brien claimed a superb first and second place in the final class with Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve (BWP) and Lux Classic (ISH) (a mare by Lux Z (HANN) out of Nadja S (KWPN) by Holland (KWPN). Bred by Patrick A Walsh, Wexford) respectively.

A third placing from James Hogg and Almost Persuaded (ISH) brought this combination up the league leader board to take third place behind John Floody and Mise Le Meas (ISH).

Professor Pat Wall, chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, and Alison Corbally, director of breeding and programmes, were both in attendance to make the presentations to the winners.

Speaking afterwards, Alison said: “The standard of jumping today at Tattersalls in these young horse classes was exceptionally high.

“In ideal conditions, the cream rose to the top to give us very competitive finals. I look forward to seeing these horses compete at Lanaken in September and I wish riders, owners and breeders the very best of luck at the championships.”

Full results of the final classes and the leagues are available at www.horsesportireland.ie