CELEBRATING an extraordinary 157 years of equestrian tradition, Balmoral Show 2026 once again delivered a spectacular showcase of top-class show jumping. From elite international show jumping to national championships and crowd-pleasing attractions, Balmoral remains one of the highlights of the equestrian calendar.

Last Wednesday, show jumping action at Balmoral kicked off with the national classes, with the Bluefrog five-year-old Championship taking centre stage. A field of 17 combinations went to post, and seven double clears were delivered. Taking the first title was Brendan Murphy with GHS Cooley, when clear in 32.25. This gelding is by Comthago VDL and is out of the Taloubet VDL-sired dam, DG Hunters Tally. This combination has proved very consistent in recent weeks, delivering double clears in the DAFM Series in Barnadown, Mullingar and Tipperary and in the 1.10m in Millstreet. They won the Balmoral qualifier in Cavan in March.

Runner-up

It was a very hotly-contested class, with Shane Dalton and CSF Castlelawn Emerald coming home in 32.52 for second place. This black stallion was bred by Patrick Connolly, and he is by Emerald Van’T Ruytershof and is out of the Voltaire-sired dam, CSF Twilight.

Max Foley also stayed within the 32-second mark with HHS Pasadena, delivering a clear in 32.98 for third. This combination has also proved very consistent in the DAFM Series of late. The mare was bred by Brendan McSorley and is by Aganix Du Seigneur and out of the For Pleasure-sired dam Echo Pleasure.

Shane Treanor and Kinmar Rustanza P also kept the poles in place, albeit in a time of 33.96 for fourth place. Owned by Gerry Marron, the mare is by Its Highlander VDK and out of the Indoctro-sired dam, Ustanza H.

Eddie Moloney and Alpha SRC stopped the clock in 34.61 for fifth. Bred by Ciara Woods and owned by Kilcreene Enterprises, this gelding is by Corporal VDL and out of the Pacino-sired dam, Tosh C.

Rounding up the top six was Barry McCormack with his own gelding, Rollercoaster D, with a clear in 35.02. He is by El Barone 111 Z and is out of the Manhattan-sired dam, Urielle S.

Last of the double clears and just outside the top six was Kerry Taggart and Lady Jordan in a time of 46.04. Owned and bred by Sean Kelly, the mare is by Avos Jordan Z and is out of the OBOS Quality-sired dam, Ballynahia Quality.

Kian Dore and Newmarket Pretty Lady winning the Glebe Equine six- and seven-year-old championship at Balmoral \ Anne Hughes

Six and seven-year-olds

The Glebe Equine six and seven-year-old Championship saw 18 combinations battle it out and taking this title was young rider Kian Dore and the Adam Ferris-owned Newmarket Pretty Lady, when they delivered a blistering clear round in 38.04. This six-year-old mare comes from a strong Irish jumping line. Bred by Billy Daly, she is by Newmarket Venture out of the Newmarket Jewel-sired dam Newmarket Pleasure. The sire was consistent at 1.30m level with the Army Equitation School, under the command of David O’Brien, and before this with Danielle and Sarah Kate Quinlivan.

Brendan Murphy was back in the line-up, taking second place with Cooley Origin Blue with a clear in 40.87. Bred by Jennifer Robinson and owned by Cooley Farm, this six-year-old gelding is by Zirocco Blue VDL and is out of the Dancing Boy-sired dam Ardragh Dancing Queen. This combination has also proved very consistent in the age classes.

Little separated the next placing, as John McEntee and Kinmar Flash came home clear in 40.97. This six-year-old mare is by the stallion For Kinmar Hero Z, which is also competed by McEntee. Kinmar Flash, who is out of the dam Kinmar Lady, was bred by Gerrard Marron and is owned by Katie McEntee.

Megan McGettigan opted for the longer route with Uptown Christov, and it paid dividends as they came home clear in 42.26 to slot into fourth place. Bred by Linzi Johnston, the gelding is by Cicero Z Van Paemal and is out of the very competitive Uptown Girl, who won numerous accolades under Daniel Coyle.

Junior rider Bríd Ryan and HSC Glenvarna took fifth place with a clear in 42.88. This gelding is by Hector Van Abdijhoeve and is out of Drumlane Sonata.

Sixth place belonged to Shane Treanor and SJ Cornet Og, who put in a clear in a time of 43.09. Bred by Sean Jordan, this six-year-old stallion is by Cornet Oblensky and out of Lisferty Cruise Adora.