THE Eventing Ireland national championships, which, at time of writing, were under review for 2026, were held later than usual, over the final weekend of the national season (October 4th and 5th), at the new eventing venue of Barnadown, Co Wexford.

The championships lost much of their prestige when the EI120 and EI115 titles were decided earlier in the year and, once again, there was poor support for the fixture from many of the country’s professional riders who are not enamoured by the two-day format. Taking place so soon after the autumn international at Ballindenisk didn’t help the entry either.

The event was run by Equus Trials Management, a company which had recently been established by course designer and builder Dereck Hamilton and Will Kearney. The pair plan on running one-day events at Maurice and Felicity Cousins’ well-known facility in future years, introducing a second water fence and a couple of banks typical of Co Wexford hunting country, which were disappointingly missing this time around.

Living locally, Patrick Whelan had no reservations making entries for five of his horses at Barnadown, where he ended up winning the EI110 and the EI100 titles on SHL Cantbetamed (with whom he also won the Red Mills league) and Olivier respectively. Back in the early summer, Whelan was crowned the EI120 national champion when second in the CCI4*-S at Millstreet on Altitu.

As he was heading to Boekelo, Joseph Murphy didn’t have any rides at the Co Wexford finale, but did win the EI115 national championship when second in the CCI3*-S at Lisgarvan in mid-August on Barberstown Castle Rehy.

Back to Barnadown where Heidi Hamilton landed the eight-runner EI90 championship with Mount Atlas, while Ella McCrory saw off four rivals to win the EI80 title on The Alders Bobby Dazzler.

The national Junior titles were won by Karla Williamson on Karolita O (EI110) and Sophie Swain with Fabia HSH (EI100). Crowned the 2025 pony rider champions were Annabelle Dunne who was on board HFS Rock Shandy (EI100) and Brooke Kenny riding Cupid’s Magic Shadow (EI90).

Among the amateur ranks, Nicola Wray won the very poorly supported EI110 championship with Dylan AKA Springhill Showman, Susanna Boxwell claimed the EI100 title on JMHillfield Double Diamond and Marlieze Krielaart was crowned the EI90 champion on Lucy Cruising.