By Ruth Rogers
THE 2014 Dublin Horse Show broke with tradition by not having any in-hand Connemara classes last week but the ridden Connemara classes, sponsored by Berney Brothers Saddlery, were as good as one could ask for and this was evident by the huge crowds around Ring 2 during the judging.
The ridden champion and reserve ridden champion sashes were awarded to the first and second prizewinners in the four years and over stallion class. Judges Mrs Clare Dew and Mrs Madeleine Beckman selected the 11-year-old Plume de Kezeg, owned by Tom Murray from Duntally Stud in Macroom, Co Cork and ridden by Sadhbh Kelleher, as their champion.
The winning connections said: “Cork will celebrate this win, we are mad about him and he is our pet.”
The French-bred son of Janus and Divrumenn is no stranger to red rosettes and Dublin, and over the years he has proved himself to be a competent all-rounder that combines covering duties with show classes. He has won 70 SJI points so far in his competition career.
Kirstin McDonagh from Westport, Co Mayo, rode her quality bay six-year-old Carracanada River, who possesses the ‘look at me’ factor to take blue in the class and overall reserve ridden champion. His bloodlines are exciting for the future of the breed, his sire being Templebready Fear Bui and he is out of the proven broodmare Doorty Lucky Lady (Ross Loobeen-Glencarra Lady), owned by James Byrne in Swinford.
In the opening session for four and five-year-old mares and geldings (O.12), the judges awarded the red rosette to Glencairn Ivy (Andy’s Pride-Murvey Bridie), owned and bred by Joan Dahill from Lismore, Co Waterford. The five-year-old was ridden with style and confidence by her daughter Pauline. The same combination previously finished second in the coveted Irish Connemara Green Hunter championship at Clifden in 2012 and also won it in 2013.
Laura McWeeney’s Roo Bella (Coolin America-Burren Robe), bred by Karen Naughton from Gort, Co Galway and ridden by Sylvia Henry stood second.
The mares and geldings six years and over class ( O.10 and U.16) was a sight to behold as the late Michael Roche’s granddaughter, 14-year-old Emma Byrne confidently rode Glencroft Aruba (Patty’s Bastion-Glen Lady) to victory. Glencroft Aruba comes from one of Ireland’s best old bloodlines, being by the sire Tulira Corncrake and with a dam line that traces back to Silver Spray.
Owned by her mother Patrice from Clonroche, Enniscorthy, Emma is the sixth generation of her family to win at Dublin. This was a combined mother and daughter achievement as the pair bought the mare as a four-year-old from her breeder Joseph O’Neill in Leenane, Co Galway, with a view to having a Connemara to compete and eventually as a broodmare.
Marina Wray’s Gardenvale Girl (Monaghanstown Fionn-Golden Girl), ridden by Chloe McArthur and bred by Mary Galvin in Athlone, stood second.
Many well-known names competed in the mares and geldings six years and over class (O.17). Debbi Bolan Whyte delivered a stylish display in the saddle when exhibiting Michael and Orla Igoe’s 10-year-old Kippure Norma (Trobadour-Laurel Shroughan Pride) and secured first prize. This combination had competed successfully winning at many shows this season in Britain prior to coming to Dublin .
Runner-up Ruth Good’s Carrowkeel Jack (Clonberne Boy-Rosie), ridden by Heather Murray Good, was bred by Gabriel Nohilly at Dunmore, Co Galway.
A Connemara stallion parade replaced the usual in-hand class. It was well supported and provided a valuable showcase for breeders to see many of the country’s best Connemara stallions in the flesh.