ACROSS the country, SJI regions hosted their leagues and as in other years, it was not only the lucrative prize funds that attracted the numbers, but the honour of winning a regional title.

Ulster Region

The final of the Fraser Homes Grand Prix Tour was held in the stunning surroundings of the Walled Garden at Castle Irvine, Necarne, marking a thrilling conclusion to a highly competitive series. At the final in the 90cm class, an early start didn’t deter Sportsmember Lesley Coey, who claimed first place with Alfie II and second with Tullaher Milo. Corrie Auchterlonie rounded out the podium in third with Our Father.

The 1m Katie Donnelly Memorial Ladies Section saw 64 athletes battling it out in the 1m class. Kathryn Morton and Blueoak Yogi took top spot, receiving the Katie Donnelly Memorial Cup. Egle Zakaraite and Talbot Siss were close behind in second, and to finish the lineup Lisa Patterson and Little Miss Shutterfly took third. Winner of the 1m young rider prize was Naomi McCavana and Ferro Charm.

The four-year-old Agria Pet Insurance Championship was a strong class which saw Cara McFadden take pole position with Rossas Contessa with a score of 102.5. Second went to Kerry Taggart and Madame Quinn on 98.5, while third went to Megan McGrory and Le Lil Lady on 94 points.

The 1.10m Class produced just 13 double clears from 60 entries. Helen Pearson Murray and Its Party Time Coco clinched victory, narrowly ahead of Emma Jackson and Kylestone Cashel. Taking third was Kevin Mackey and Smalltown Boy IV. Winner of the young rider prize was Jenny Dunlop and Charmer VD Donkhoeve Z. Winner of the five-year-old prize was Cathal James Donnelly and Vivants Dream.

Continuing her impressive form, Grace Carlisle rode her mare Something Smart to victory in the 1.20m class. Shane O’Reilly and BWE Vain Hero claimed second while Connor McFadden and Domar Van De Neerheide slotted into third. Winner of the 6yo prize was Emma Jackson and Rockrimmon Legacy. Taking the 1.20m young rider acolade was Connie McFadden and Domar Van De Neerheide.

A hotly contested 1.35m final saw a win for young rider Harrison Blair with L’Esprit Hero Z Harry Marshall and Morning Attraction claimed second place ahead of Shane O’Reilly and Lancer Luck. Winner of the seven-year-old division was Andrew Farren and Nevada TE. The 1.30/1.35m young rider prize was awarded to Harrison Blair and L’Esprit Hero Z.

Following some competitive rounds the League Champions were crowned. The 90cm and Sportsmember was Lesley Coey and Alfie II. Winner of the 1m was Robyn Hartley and RH Live for Now. The 1m amateur and young rider was Naomi McCavana and Ferro Charm. Taking the 1.10m was Ava Stubbs and Tullyhill Lucy Diamond along with the young rider and amateur title, while the 1.20m title went to Grace Carlisle and Something Smart. The 1.20m young rider was Zoe Keys and Luana. Taking the 1.30/1.35m title was Emma McEntee and Hobalo, while the 1.30/1.35m young rider was Ben Walsh and Zenith VD Donkhoeve Z.

The four-year-old title went to Ellen Thompson and Echo Dam, while the five-year-old championship was won by Nicholas Bothwell and Lucky Echonix. The six-year-old title was awarded to Emma Jackson and Rockrimmon Legacy, while the seven-year-old title went to Kevin Mackey and Caugherty Ronan.

Taking the 1.10m title in Ulster along with the young rider and amateur title was Ava Stubbs and Tullyhill Lucy Diamond \ Tori O'Connor Photography

Munster

2025 was a great year for show jumping in Munster. For horses we had many leagues – Spring Horse Tour, Munster Summer Horse Tour and the Development league. The Spring tour ran from February to April, with the final held at the Waterford Tipperary Branch Shown. The development league ran throughout the summer with the final in October.

The Summer tour started off in April in Hollypark with the final run by the Cork Kerry Branch in Sceilig Equestrian Centre in September. Categories in the league, 1.15m, 1.25m and 1.35m Grand Prix. League winners were Andrew Shinnick, Patrick Joyce, Robyn Moran with leading young rider in the Red Mills 1.35m Grand Prix was Daisy McNamara.

Shows in the Munster region also hosted three National GP, a Premier GP, Amateur RDS Qualifier, Pony Premier, Pony Spring Tour and Pony Masters. Maryville ran a very successful league – ’Maryville Pony Super League’ with qualifying legs all over Ireland and the final in Maryville.

It was also a great year for Munster amateurs in 2025. Kate Houlihan and Boss Z won the National Amateur A championships in Mullingar in September with Derrick Burke and Tyreda Chip winning the Orchard Equestrian/NAPS National Amateur league. There was a great finish to the Boomerang Horse and Country Store Munster Amateur Final. A total of nine A Category rider combinations and nine AA combinations that qualified from the three branch leagues, took on the Kevin Bartley course at the beautiful Hollypark Stables. Limerick Clare Branch Showjumping Ireland had a great day with Ed Enright becoming the Munster A champion, Waterford Tipperary SJI’s Ruth Walsh came second and Denise Moran also from Limerick Clare took third. Cork Kerry SJI member Vicky Curran won the overall to become AA Munster Champion for 2025. Limerick Clare rider Derrick Burke continued his great show of form to take second place, with Waterford Tipperary rider Ann-Marie Hynes taking third. With combined rankings turning into points, the Limerick Clare branch became the 2025 Munster Team Champions.

Leinster Region

In August, Warrington Equestrian in Co Kilkenny played host to the final of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour. A popular league, close to 200 combinations battled it out over the three divisions for the final round which boasted €6,000, along with coveted league titles on their respective prize funds.

Taking the league win was Francis Connors and RNH Valentino. Connors’ closest rival was Sven Hadley who had clocked up 22 points with Maximum Numero Too HSH. Conor Brennan finished as the leading young rider with MHS Jersey Girl, while the leading pro-am was Niamh O’Connor Barry aboard Drumiller Vegas.

Final Round

Young Leinster riders excelled in the 1.35m decider, securing five of the top six placings. Leading the victory lap in the 1.35m was local young rider Marta Hughes Bravo and Hhs Figero. Waterford rider Gemma Phelan followed closely behind aboard Curraghraigue Jack Bro.Kilkenny young rider Conor Brennan and Mhs Jersey Girl was less than a second behind for third place.

Amateur rider Laura Walsh (Ballinaguilkey Heritage) took the overall 1.20m league after a strong performance. It was a win for Tipperary on the final day as amateur rider Lorraine Younge (AA) delivered the winning round. Less than a second separated the placings as fellow amateur rider Jenny Connors (AA) took the runner-up spot aboard Fiona Carew’s Fortnight. Sven Hadley took third place with Make It Easy Hsh. Hadley also took sixth place with Uidam.

The battle for the 1.10m title went down to the wire with three amateur riders battling it out. Going into the final round, it was all still to play for as Laura Walsh and Ballinaguilkey Heritage held the top spot on 47 points, while Marie Hartley and Nikita Van Het Heidenfof followed closely behind on 43 points. Holding on to third place going into the final was Lisa Doyle and Ballinaguilkey Dignified on 41 points. In the end, it was Laura Walsh and Ballinaguilkey who claimed the title, ahead of Hartley and Nikita Van Het Heidenfof.

On the young rider leaderboard, it was Kilkenny’s Brona Keane and Krafty Krackers that held her lead to claim this title. In the final, once again, amateur riders dominated the 1.10m, claiming five of the six top placings.

Taking the final win was Hannah Mcniven (AA) and Hey You. No stranger to success in this league, Marie Hartley (AA) and Nikita Van Het Heidenhof took the runner-up spot while Lisa Doyle (AA) accounted for third place with her homebred Ballinaguilkey Dignified.

Connaught Region

The Judge Equestrian Connaught Region Amateur League was a hotly and closely contested affair with Niamh Quinn emerging the overall winner at the final leg at Derryronane Stud. Well out in front, the RDS winner saw off competition from last year’s winner Nathan Kenny to scoop the league honours.

As in 2024, the top places in the Flexineb by Nortev 1:10m league was dominated by the ladies with Clodagh Lee taking a place in the final leg to take the leagues win from the in-form Orla Dixon who placed in second and third. The ultimate man of speed, Sven Hadley took the win in the Sean Fleming Motors 1:20m league showing a consistent run of form throughout all legs.

Pushed by all the way by another very consistent rider in Derek Shaw, who was a close league runner-up with his horse Vms Dallance Cruise. With Derryronane Stud back on board as sponsor of the Grand Prix League, it was fitting that the final leg was held at the well-known stud farm in Co Mayo. With the league still to be won, points on the day were going to decide where the title went, Sven Hadley, Lee Carey, Oisin Dillon and Katie Nallon all in contention to take the title home. All riders picked up points on the day with Sven Hadley coming out on top.

The Connaught Open Pony Leagues welcomed onboard the generosity of Equillence, Premium Show Jumps by Pauric O’Neill, Roxboro Stud and the Connaught Region itself, taking a league each. Winner of the Equilence U10 was Jack Rush, while taking the 128 90cm title in the Premium Show Jumps by Pauric O’Neill was John Furey. Winner of the Roxboro Stud 138 1m was Edward Walsh Jr, while the Cian Qualter was crowned the Connaught Region 148 1.10m winner.

This open league for ponies saw many great jump-offs and were the highlight of the grass root and green field shows in the region where many families and friends got to share in the excitement. The League winners were crowned on the Saturday of the Connaught Pony Championships.

Connaught International Partners Novice Pony League was hugely supported by the Connaught International riders. Winner of the Newcomers was Elaine Briscoe partnered with Richard Howley.

The 128cm winner was Ashley Cannon partnered with Jessica Burke, while the 138cm winner was Niamh Delaney partnered with Michael Duffy. Last by not least the 148 Winner was Ellen Ryan partnered with Michael G Duffy.