IN a change of format, the 2026 Young Riders’ Championship ran in conjunction with the Irish Breeders’ Classic at Barnadown last week. The first of the championships kicked off with the 1m Under-21 class.

Supported by Jack Ryan Sporthorses, there was also a bonus of €200 to the highest-placed Under-18 young rider. Taking the first title and the bonus prize was junior rider, Yelena O’Keeffe and the six-year-old Candy Pearl, with a clear in 37.34. She was chased home by Leinster rider, Shauna Furlong and the seven-year-old LHE Bella Mon Ami, with a clear in 37.64.

Third place belonged to Heather Hayden and her seven-year-old Shirsheen Bees Wing in 39.63. Fourth place was filled by junior rider, Sadhbh Mannix and Sir Hugo Bon, with a clear in 40.93, while in fifth was Isabel Broderick and Valentina, clear in 42.07. Rounding off the top six was Jessica Jennings and Crypto, clear in 42.19. Best turned out was Luke Devlin.

Claiming the 1.10m title was young rider Kate Lynch on her own five-year-old, CCL Conticco Delight, with a clear in 30.50 seconds. Supported by McFadden Civil and MK Surface Treatment, there was a total prize fund of €2,500 for this class. Lynch saw off the challenge from fellow Munster rider Maeve Coffey and Creevaghstables Buttler Jones, who lodged a clear in 32.30.

Children on Horses rider Gracie Kelly and Hermies Vh Bergerhof Z took third, with a clear in 32.98, while in fourth was Lucy Rhatigan and Ballyfore Lola, clear in 33.09. A clear from Chloe Walsh and Corky Rocks in 33.15 saw her take fifth, ahead of Alanna Fagan and the five-year-old Roswell, who came home clear in 33.53. The best turned out prize went to Ava Kelly.

1.20m champions

Lucy McCarthy and Maggiemae C were crowned the Ballydavid Stud and Madelaine Gervais 1.20m champions, when they were fastest of 44 double clears in 31.01.

Little divided the next placing as Emily Moloney and Clovalent stopped the clock in 31.87. Ashleigh McNamara and Innislusky Rose left nothing to spare, coming home in 32.84 for third. Sarah Curry put in a great attempt with Kahneman M2S, coming home in 33.13 for eventual fourth, while in fifth was Colm Widger and Jerenice D Ysenbeeck Z, clear in 33.50. Isabelle Boland and Boleybawn Reverie accounted for sixth, when they stopped the clock in 33.79. Ben O’Connor picked up the best turned out prize.

The €4,000 Underwriting Exchange 1.30m championship saw 53 combinations go to post and, from those, just six delivered double clears. Fastest of those and taking the title was Connaught young rider Cian McMunn and Lisboy Emerald in a time of 34.64.

Runner-up

Emily Moloney and Clovalent took another runner-up place, stopping the clock in 37.37. Moloney also took the best turned out prize. Isabel O’Brien was less than a second behind with Thomascourt Victor, in 38.20 for third. Children on Horses rider, Alicia Kernan and UPS Angelo slotted into fourth, stopping the clock in 39 seconds.

Emily Moloney took another share of the prize fund, partnering Star Van De Heffinck to a clear in 40.70. Last of the double clears in 41.23 and taking sixth was Lauren Murphy and Brianna B, in a time of 41.23.

The €2,500 NM Training and Bingham Stables 1.40m class saw 31 combinations battle it out and, in the end, 14 delivered double clears. Taking the 2026 title was Alex Finney and MHS Style, recording the winning time of 28.97. Just over a second separated the next spot, as Lily Tunney and Gortacar Suspicious Minds 005 stopped the clock in 29.98. Last year’s champion, Daisy McNamara and Caspetito Z, galloped home in 30.36 for third. Emily Moloney returned to the line-up to take fourth with Rocksy Music, when stopping the clock in 31.02.

Fifth place belonged to Isobel Sheehan and Athea Clover Trend in 32.37, while in sixth was Dublin Horse Show Champion, Matthew Conlon and Dik Star De La Chenee.

Further coverage from the Breeders Classic can be found on pages 94-97.