THE Boomerang Star Finder series reaches its decisive stage next weekend. The final qualifying leg takes place at Emerald Equestrian on Sunday, October 4th, offering riders one last opportunity to secure their place in the final at Cavan Equestrian Centre on Saturday, October 24th. As at every leg, the top 10 combinations will qualify for the final. They will join the 64 combinations who have already booked their places across the seven qualifiers held so far at Cavan, Shanakill, Millstreet, Barnadown, Glenamaddy, the Mullingar Pony Championship and Tubberbride.

Zara Sharkey and Jubel De Nev lead the seven-year-old standings on 35 points, following a consistent run of placings at Millstreet, Barnadown, Glenamaddy, the Pony Championship and Tubberbride. Charlie Flynn with Royal Remark and Calum Duignan with April Shadow share second place on 23 points each.

The six-year-old race could not be closer. Sam Widger and Poynstown Son Of A Mustang hold the top spot on 29 points, just one point ahead of Alayna Hawkins and Pip Goes Pop on 28. Luke Sweeney and Sparkling Boomerang’s Zehavi are third on 23 points. With a leading rider prize awarded to the highest placed six and seven-year-old combinations, every point counts heading into the final.

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society is donating €500 to the highest-placed full-bred Connemara pony in the 2026 final. The prize recognises the breed’s proud place in Irish pony show jumping.

A proven pathway

The Star Finder has a strong record of producing exciting young ponies. Last year’s final at the National Pony Championships in Mullingar was won by Kilcornan’s Jack Dore and the seven-year-old WHS Classic Illusion. They had dominated the series, winning four legs and being crowned leading rider. Jack also finished third in the final with the seven-year-old Shining Du Champ Du Bois. Cliodhna McEvoy and Juno Uno were Reserve Champions.

In 2024, Charlie Flynn and the seven-year-old JDF Montana won the final in Mullingar, with Peter Morton and the six-year-old Blueoak Shelby taking Reserve. Charlie is back in contention this year, currently sharing second place in the seven-year-old table with Royal Remark.

In 2023, Kate Lynch and the seven-year-old Lahorna You Two won the final at Hollypark Stables in Limerick, jumping double clear with the fastest time in the second round. Isobel Sheehan and the Connemara Rooska Bruno were Reserve Champions, a fitting reminder of the breed’s pedigree in this series ahead of this year’s Connemara prize.

The Star Finder has been a stepping stone for young ponies and their riders for many years, and Boomerang.ie Horse and Country has sponsored the series since 2022. At each qualifying leg, a Kentucky rug is presented to the winner and to the highest-placed combination from the other age category. At the final, Kentucky rugs will be presented to the Champion and Reserve Champion, as well as to the leading riders in both the six and seven-year-old categories.

Speaking ahead of the final, Sinead Maher of Boomerang said: “The Star Finder wouldn’t be possible without the people working behind the scenes. A special thank you to Rhiannon Maher in the Showjumping Ireland office for her dedication throughout the season, and to the Pony Committee of Aldyth Roleston, Brian Cash, Killian McCarthy, Jerome Foley and Melvin Kennedy for their hard work in running such a high standard of competition for our young ponies and riders.”