THE final class of the afternoon saw all nine ponies entered present for the ridden Connemara stallion class. Completing a full circle moment for owner Debra Todd was Copperbeech Encore (Glencarrig Knight x Carrowkeel Star). Purchased from his Ballinrobe-based breeders Fiona and Tómas Grimes as a foal, the stallion made the return journey to Irish soil from the United Kingdom a winning one as he stood top of line with rider Vikki Smith.

“Bringing Encore to the Dublin Horse Show has been one of the best experiences of my life,” said Todd. “When I purchased him as a foal, I said to Tómas and Fiona ‘hopefully one day we will do you proud and you will come to watch him at HOYS’. I fulfilled that promise and he was second last year on his first trip there.

“I also said one day we will bring him back to Ireland to compete at Dublin, and the Connemara Pony Show in Clifden. I am so lucky to have such a talented jockey and lifelong friend Vikki Smith aboard him. This journey is a lifelong dream that has finally all come together,” she concluded.

Grace Maxwell Murphy piloted her own six-year-old Glenville Glic (Glencarrig Knight x Clooneybreen Peigin) on his Dublin debut to second place. Bettyspark Shadow (Silver Shadow x Inishnee Briar Rose), owned by Sophie Countess von Maltzan and ridden by Tony Lambe, completed the top-three placings.