HORSE SHOW:THE INAUGURAL Connemara performance hunter championships proved the biggest draw of the showing programme yesterday and producers, who were sceptical about the qualifying process, were very pleased with the results, although suggesting some changes for next year.
With the top five ponies all recording clear rounds in the class for five-, six- and seven-year-olds, the flat work phase had a big influence, a joint top score of 37 here securing victory for Annagh Storm. The 15-hand grey, ridden by 16-year-old Banbridge rider Rachel Suffern for her mother Alison, completed on a score of 227 points, four in front of the second-placed Comical Con.
In the class for older animals, it was little surprise to see French-bred Iratu Varagnac fare best. Jill Moffatt’s 13-year-old grey gelding by Abbeyleix Fionn has been consistently well placed in the eventing sphere and his regular rider, the owner’s daughter Katie, is targeting next year’s European pony eventing championships.
With today’s jumping phase starting the main arena action at 9am, the four-year-old section is being led by Alice Kehoe’s Ramiro B gelding Westwinds Hercules (Louise Codd) on 29.1 points, while last year’s winner Sarah Ennis heads the five-year-old table with her own VDL Ricochet gelding Stellor Rebound (28.2).
A four-year-old thoroughbred Genevieve (by Alderbrook) was champion riding horse under Karina Curran who owns the brown mare with Patrice Dorney.
Northern exhibitors dominated the cob classes with Sam McAteer taking the championship and reserve ribbons with two grey geldings. His wife Sheelagh rode the runner-up, the four-year-old heavyweight Randalstown Limited Edition, with Lesley Webb taking the title on the five-year-old lightweight Randalstown Landmark.