RAHEENDAW Horse and Pony Show provided the next opportunity for the retrained thoroughbred community to qualify for the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series final.

Both sections were judged by Jane Davis (Ride) and Nicole Groyer, both ably suited to the job at hand having ridden and retrained thoroughbreds themselves. The open section was won by Slievenamon John and Sabrina Harty, a regular participant in the series over the last number of years. Having won the Novice final at the Royal Trim Show in 2024, this combination placed fifth in the Open final in last year’s series. The 10-year-old Waldpark gelding ran six times in Harty’s name, but issues with his wind put paid to his racing career. While in training, Harty had done some light schooling and hunting, so when it was decided that racing was not for him, she jumped at the chance to have him.

“I had him earmarked for my daughter from the start, but I was doing the initial training with him, however I’ve nearly lost the ride on him now!” commented Harty after her win. “Emily has been doing some Pony Club on him and she’s going to do some show jumping for the summer.” It looks set to be a busy summer for the Curragh-based team, but eyes are set on the final in July. “The Tattersalls show is one of our favourites, it’s great to get the English judges over and I think it makes such a difference!”

On the back of their win in the same class in the Midleton Show a week prior, Claire Connors and Creggs Cross had to settle for second place this time around. With qualification already guaranteed, third-placed Abbie Shannon and Champagne Platinum will take the golden ticket for the final.

In the novice section, Mary-Ann Casey piloted Siobhan English’s Bourbon Street to victory on only their second time in the show ring. The 11-year-old gelding by Oscar, was once point-to-pointed by English’s nephew James, winning a five-year-old Geldings’ Maiden in Rathcannon in 2020.

“He last raced at the end of that season, unfortunately he pulled up with a leg injury, so spent some time in the field,” commented the owner. “James had him out hunting a bit, but I’ve recently taken over the reins and have sought some help from Mary-Ann, as she regularly retrains thoroughbreds.” Long-term, the plan is for English to compete herself but for now, Casey will pilot the gelding in the show ring.

Taking second place in the class was Nicki Russell and Fly Right By, an unraced gelding by Jet Away. Fly Right By, who was in training with Nicky Stokes, also placed third in the Novice Thoroughbred Performance class, this time piloted by Tom Hayden.

The next qualifier in this series will take place at Gorey Agricultural Show on June 20th and full details of all qualification criteria and shows can be found at www.treoeile.com