THE Equipeople/AIRC national eventing championships were held last Sunday at Killossery Lodge Stud where, for the second year running, the team competition was won by Killcarrick.

Caroline Lane, Managing Director of Equipeople, said that she was very happy to once again sponsor the championships: “We feel that it is important to support leisure riders enjoying the company of their horses, especially in the high-octane world that we live in. What better way to spend a weekend than out in the fresh air, connecting with friends and enjoying a respite from our busy lives? Horses are a great therapy and we are happy that we are in a position to support the AIRC eventing championships.”

As she was on her way back from a conference in Linkoping, Sweden, Lane missed the championships, but Equipeople was represented by Iola Kawala and Donna Dunne, both of whom are co-ordinators placing and supporting young European equine students in work experience placements throughout Ireland.

Two of last year’s successful quartet, Louise Begley and Richard Hunter, once again competed for the West Leinster Region club, being joined on this occasion by Anna Kerins and Carolann Dowling. Killcarrick chairperson Emma McDonald doubled up as chef d’equipe.

The three counting scores for a total of 101.5 penalties were provided by Hunter (who was third in the RC100 championship), Begley (who was second in the RC90) and Dowling (fifth in the RC80). Kerins, who had a pole down show jumping, provided the discard score when 10th in the RC100. Hunter rode the nine-year-old Ella Lazenby-bred Irish Sport Horse mare Lady Lux Dignified (Dignified van’t Zorgvliet - Ahare Olympic Clover, by Olympic Lux), who he purchased as a four-year-old in Cavan. He ‘inherited’ the ride on the bay during the summer from his daughter Shannon.

Good form

“I started competing in eventing last season in EI90s, at the youthful age of 53, and really enjoyed it,” revealed Hunter. “Last season, I managed to win two EI events, at Flowerhill and Clonmahon House, and several National AIRC titles on a five-year-old named Greannanstown Exhibition (Joey).

“Two weeks ago, Rio and I completed our first 110cm Amateur together in Vesey Lodge with Eventing Ireland; I was thrilled to finish double clear and third in the class. I also compete annually in the Young Eventhorse Series/RDS qualifiers, which I also really enjoy.

“I was delighted Rio and I were able to contribute a double clear to our Killcarrick team on Sunday, thus retaining the National Eventing Team Championship. The Killcarrick committee provides such fabulous support.”

Kerins, who works for Co Meath trainer Gordon Elliott, finished 10th in the same RC100 championship on the former racehorse The Same Again (Court Cave - Amber Light, by Anshan). Bred by Kenilworth House Stud, the bay, who was unplaced in eight starts over hurdles between November 2017 and July 2018, won the Treo Eile-sponsored award as the highest-placed thoroughbred in his class.

“I’ve owned ‘Duke’ for eight years. I used to ride him out when I worked for Eddie Harty and I was very grateful that I was gifted him by his owner, Mr JP McManus, when he retired from racing,” commented Kerins. “Duke has tried his foot at everything and has been amazing, from showing to show jumping and eventing. We’ve had great success together over the years and, hopefully, for many more years to come.

“I’m with Killcarrick four years now and it’s been wonderful. To be considered for selection for Sunday was great, but then to be on the winning team was amazing. To have such amazing teammates and supporters was unreal.”

Louise Begley, a community pharmacist working in Ryan’s Pharmacy, Daingean, Co Offaly, stuck with her successful mount from 2025, the13-year-old Irish Draught mare Tara Durrow Magic (Roadside True Blue - Merry Magic, by Merry Mate). This combination finished second in Saturday’s RC90.

Carolann Dowling and Bonita Bay were part of the winning Killcarrick team at the AIRC eventing championships 2026 and won a Treo Eile award when fifth in the RC80 \ Justin Black Horse Sport Images

Lots of fun

“I’ve had ‘Tilly’ for seven years,” commented Begley, who joined Killcarrick in 2025. “She’s a full Irish Draught and lots of fun. She has loads of ability and is brave, perhaps a little spicy. Last year my coach, Ruth Robinson recommended we try eventing. Tilly is absolutely thriving in all three phases and is loving the challenge.”

There was a second thoroughbred horse on the Killcarrick team, the unraced nine-year-old Bonita Bay (Alhebayeb - Night Scent, by Scenic) who, too, won a Treo Eile award when fifth in the RC80 championship in the hands of Carolann Dowling.

“‘Annie’, who was home-bred here at Pier House Stud, is flat bred, but loves her jumping and life in general,” said Dowling. “Our adventure began when she didn’t excel in her racing career and she was offered to me as a project. We started our competitive journey through the Treo Eile showing series and have continued to compete regularly with Killcarrick.

“I’m extremely lucky that Annie is a brilliant mare, who has turned out to be extremely versatile, turning her hoof to many disciplines. I have been a member of Killcarrick for four years; starting at cross-poles and now competing at 80cm. We started our eventing journey, which we have thoroughly enjoyed, last spring. Annie has shown a great aptitude for it, culminating with our great result on Sunday.

“I have been a leisure rider since starting off in ponies, progressing to a horse and competing in the riding club years ago. Unfortunately, work and home life got busy, so I didn’t have the time for a horse for a number of years. I am now a factotum at home in Pier House, a busy stud located near The Curragh.”

Only six squads contested the team championship, where the Foxborough trio of Harriet Aveling (The Minx), Anna Duane (Don’t Tell Mum) and Naomi Bartes (Tabasco Rose) slotted into the reserve spot on 106.3, ahead of Calliaghstown’s Suzanne McGee, Gill Phipps, Joanna Phipps and Victoria Cichowicz (108.5).

I don’t know what it will take, but it would be good to see a revival in the numbers competing in Riding Club eventing and, following on from that, an increase in the number of AIRC-affiliated events, which have dropped off considerably in recent years. Getting dates on a busy calendar is also difficult.

The Jackpot

While Begley was disappointed not to win the individual RC90 championship, being a second over the time on the final leg with Tara Durrow Magic (31.7), the Killcarrick Club came out on top there thanks to the efforts of Claire Maher who, despite having a pole down show jumping, narrowly held on to score with her dressage winner Tinnakill Jackpot (31.5), an eight-year-old ISH gelding by Brock Lodge Buster.

Leading after dressage, last year’s winner of the individual RC100 championship, Foxborough’s Harriet Aveling, had to settle for fourth on Sunday with The Minx (34.2) as Fran Denny, chair of the Mill Road club, claimed the honours on 31.8 with the traditionally home-bred ISH mare Lloydsboro Lady (Killea Hill View - Shadow Risk, by Tagula).

Two of the 15 starters failed to complete over the Ciaran Glynn-built cross-country track.

Members of two clubs in the North East Region finished first and second in the RC80 championship, but here there was a comfortable success for Castle Hill’s Rebecca Matthews, who led from start to finish with her 10-year-old skewbald mare Benvarden Dakota (25). Drynam’s Yvonne Hughes also completed on her first phase score (31.8) to place second with her 17-year-old skewbald gelding Puzzle Pop.