IN the lead rein show hunter pony class, seven-year-old Dulcee Morrison, who was led by Cherie McHugh, partnered her own Coathamdene Janelle to victory.

The winner, a five-year-old by Thistledown Lord Of The Manor, was bred in Co Antrim by Alyson Carr out of Llanfreacha Jolene (by Fosterhouses Philanderer). Morrison, who lives in south Co Dublin, currently only rides ‘Pebbles’ at shows with McHugh utilising the services of another young rider, Alia Massey, to school the grey mare at home.

Alia was catalogued to ride Pebbles at Dublin, but as Dulcee’s intended mount, Cosford Wishes Vow (who is produced by the Morrisons themselves at Calliaghstown Equestrian Centre) was an absentee, a late switch was made. As the winner has had a busy enough season for a novice, the plan is to put her away until next year.

It was a great Dublin 2026 for the Baker family from north Co Dublin. On the Thursday, Lisa watched on as Malahow Graces Legacy, who she owns with husband John, was first shown to win the three and four-year-old Irish Draught mares class, the Moylough Legacy four-year-old chesnut going on to claim the championship.

On Saturday, Lisa did the leading herself as six-year-old daughter Harriet, who was making her RDS debut, finished second on her parents’ eight-year-old Welsh mare Kengarth Sally, a daughter of Pendross Gwilym who was purchased from Lyndsey Wylie about two months ago.

Next in the final line-up was the Ger O’Riain-owned, Senán Gallagher-ridden Ffynnonbach Bruce, a seven-year-old Welsh palomino gelding by Ffynnonbach Eilun Mai.