Crozier sets standard

ONE learns never to say never, but Katie Crozier is pretty sure that she became the first rider to record back-to-back successes in the Intermediate side-saddle class at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show when winning on Altona Sly Mist Bouncer in Ring 1 late on Sunday afternoon.

The seven-year-old Irish Draught mare by Killinick Bouncer was bred in Co Laois by Anna Marie McHugh out of the Holycross mare Holy Cross Mist. She is produced by Ben Rainey for owner Sarah Carlile, who purchased her as a foal. She is a very willing and versatile mare who, partnered by Rainey, won the small working hunter class at Balmoral in May.

“Sarah just loves this mare and I’m very lucky to ride her,” said Crozier. “She qualified in Athlone and Dublin was just her second side-saddle class. I won this class last year on my own horse, Darrowby Cougar, and I don’t think anyone has ever won two years in a row before.”

In judge Zara Owen’s final line-up, Leonie O’Gorman finished second with her sister Lisa’s traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse mare Emmas Blue Ruby. This 10-year-old KEC Bluejay Diamond grey qualified at the Flavours of Fingal Show, as did the ISH gelding Birchill Pianoman, a 13-year-old Atlantic Cruise gelding who moved up from fourth to third.

The grey, who is owned by Cyril Carty, was partnered by Aoibhinn Ruane, another rider who had a good Dublin 2026.