EIGHTEEN combinations contested the Doagh Equestrian event pony class at Wexford Equestrian on Wednesday but there was a clear-cut winner in the Ellen Treacy-partnered Connemara gelding Clounanna Danny Boy.

The five-year-old Ard Ri Oisin grey, who was bred by John Coleman out of the Boden Park Finnard mare Glenlo Lady Fiona and competed in this league last season, completed on his Gillian Kyle-awarded dressage score (57.5).

Five-year-old Connemara geldings also finished second and third. In filling the runner-up spot on this occasion, the round one winners, Debbie Flavin and Pine View Ice Cool (52), a son of Ice And Fire d’Alban, still finished just ahead of Pauline Dahill and Glencairn Fredrick who is by Inisowen.

There were 14 starters in the Treo Eile thoroughbred class where Westmeath riders filled the top two placings although both had a fence down show jumping.

TB class winners Rachel O Callaghan and JustBeCool at the second leg of the 2025 Stepping Stones league \ Tadhg Ryan Bit-media

Rachael O’Callaghan claimed the honours with JustBeCool (27.8 penalties), the nine-year-old Canford Cliffs gelding on whom she won an EI100 (Amateur) class at Rosanna in early June last year. The bay, who was bred by Lynn Lodge Stud out of the Century City mare Centenerola, was one of the most experienced horses in the 14-runner field having last ran in November 2021 and making his EI debut five months later.

Finishing second on 28 penalties, Emily Murphy has been making a splash on the thoroughbred performance scene this season with her unraced Harzand mare Lilly Bobtail and, on Saturday, she and the five-year-old made their EI debut as a combination at Tyrella (2) where they won the EI90 training class. The only other sub-30 score was recorded by Alannah Tobin who completed on her dressage mark with Lansing (28.5).

The third qualifier takes place next Wednesday, April 16th, when league points will be on offer as both jumping phases will be judged and the cross-country phase will have a gallop element.