“I’M speechless to be honest,” was the immediate reaction of an elated Sadhbh O’Connor, having been crowned the 2026 ridden Connemara pony champion with her mother Aoife’s dun gelding Teach Mór Sparrow (Blakehill Sparrow x Kelly’s Hero). Having enjoyed continued success in the Berney Bros Saddlery-sponsored Connemara classes since his debut in 2024, when the pair won the four and five-year-old class before standing reserve champion that first year, they returned in 2025 to secure a top three finish.

Thursday afternoon last saw the now six-year-old, bred by Padraic Folan, step up to compete in the class for riders over the age of 17 for the first time, having qualified at Tullylish. Despite being a seasoned winner at the RDS herself, this was Sadhbh’s first time taking a Dublin championship sash.

“I’ve had a few reserves over the years,” said O’Connor, “but this is my first Championship here, so he has made my dreams come true.” Bought from a Done Deal ad, the dun gelding has given consistently calm performances over the past three years in Ring Two. A testimony to O’Connor’s dedication and the bond she shares with the pony known as Bobby at home, she described her champion as quirky.

“He’s just so special. I’ve never had a pony that just gives me his all, all the time. We always knew his potential, but it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of luck and for it all to come together on the day. He does a lot of stuff for me that he wouldn’t do for anyone else. He doesn’t load unless I load him, and he hates the stables here, where he’s locked in, but he will always do his best for me.”

While the winning pair stood top of the line in the Over-17 class from the start, there was considerable shuffling of placings ahead of the final confirmation of the top six. Also stepping up to the older class for the first time this year, Charlotte Smiley rode her sister Kathryn’s 2025 champion Eastlands Jollybrae (Eastlands Harleybrae x Eastlands Dunrose) to finish in second place. Lauren Kerins gave the gallop of a lifetime, much to the enjoyment of the ringside spectators, aboard her gelding Lankill Lad (Dunally Lad x Dolly), moving up from fifth to secure a top-three finish.