THE 22nd Annual Three-year-Old Loose Jumping Championship, hosted by the Half Bred Horse Breeders Society, took place at Portmore Equestrian Centre on Wednesday, December 13th last.

Despite the inclement weather, a large and knowledgeable crowd arrived to watch the selection of top three-year-olds compete. Once again the Society succeeded in providing a valuable shop window for breeders and buyers.

Ben Wentink had the difficult task of judging these horses. Wentink has been headman at the VDL Stud for a number of years and now owns and runs Scotland’s AI Services, as well as producing young showjumpers and eventers. The standard was high with few points separating the final 10.

Congratulations to Brian Hutchinson of Londonderry whose home-bred horses by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof took both first and second place, a notable success in view of the level of competition.

Thanks go to all the volunteers without whom this event could not take place, including Raymond Brady for his informed commentary, to Drumhowen Stud who kindly donated the rugs for the winners, and also to Paddy Hughes of Horse First for his hampers for the first three placings. Not least, grateful acknowledgement to John Gibson of Sporting Image NI for his photographic cover.

The HBHBS have been kindly given a nomination from the Howleys of Co Sligo for their stallion Sligo Candy Boy (by Balou de Rouet out of a Conley mare).

The ballot cost £10 with 59 available. Ballots available through Facebook or by contacting Stephen 07710631316 or Carole 07887389606.

The lucky winner of the Beach Ball nomination was Colin Armstrong of Newtownards.

Results

1. Brian Hutchinson/SVS Sensation by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of Beauty Van de Penneberg by Vincenzo

2. Brian Hutchinson/SVS Eclipse by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of Springview Kings Cavalier by Kings Master

3. Brendan McSorley/Unnamed by Clinton out of Lucys Clover by Heritage Fortunus

4. Applemount Sport Horses/Hip Hop Q by Castlecomer Q out of Palias Hip Hop by Nigrasine

5. Joe Gallagher/Unnamed by Cobra out of Pure Irish Malt by Maltstriker

6. Lorraine Leavesley/Emerald Sunshine by Emerald out of New Years Sindy by Taloubet UDL

7. Clive Cathers/Unnamed by Beach Ball out of Clover Maine by Coevers Diamond Boy

8. Samantha Hamilton/Riverbourne Zorro Beach by Beach Ball out of Brizante by Mozart

9. Una McSorley/Socks by Beach Ball out of Caboshea, sire not recorded

10. Carol Armstrong/Cornascriebe Blue by Plot Blue out of Cornascriebe Cavella by Cavalier Royale