THE O’Connor family from Inch in Co Wexford had a very good 2017 Dublin Horse Show, the highlight in terms of the adult members being Edwina’s win after some years of trying in the older Berney Bros Saddlery Connemara performance hunter championship.

Her partner was the 10-year-old Castleside JJ stallion Agharanny Minstrel who is owned by the rider’s mother Noreen. The grey was bred near Moate by Sean Hynes out of the Thunder Bay mare Silver Mint.

Another partnership who were trying to win this class, and were again foiled in their bid, were the Lismore mother and daughter team of Joan and Pauline Dahill who finished second with their eight-year-old Andy’s Pride mare Glencairn Ivy.

Third place went to another eight-year-old, the Black Dandy gelding Dandini, who was ridden for Paddy Murphy by his daughter Eimear.

WIN FOR RYAN

With all the travelling he did around the country to qualify Draughts and Connemaras, it was good to see Graiguenamanagh veterinary surgeon Diarmuid Ryan record a victory in Ring 2 on Wednesday, in the five to seven-year-old class, and he made the most of the occasion by finishing second as well.

Ryan’s winning mount was Lucinda Kelly’s five-year-old dun stallion Killaneen Boy, a son of Western Boy who was bred in Co Sligo by Steven O’Breirne out of the Moorland Snowy River mare Truelight Trixie.

The runner-up was Charlotte Glynn’s six-year-old roan gelding Carrig’s Island Lad, who is by Castleside Carrig. Ryan, who has recently upgraded the facilities at his yard and will be looking for more charges, was heading down to Clifden with both ponies.

The Murphys also had to settle for third place here with their six-year-old Cashelbay Cruise gelding Doire Mhainaigh Robbie.

These classes are extremely popular with exhibitors and spectators alike, the former group wishing that the rule banning winning combinations from returning was lifted.