BARNADOWN played host to the fifth leg of the DAFM/Horse Sport Ireland Show jumping Studbook Series last weekend, with the qualifier classes on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. There was a strong following for each of the three categories, with over 200 horses lining up across the three age classes on Saturday.

In the five-year-old section, 34 produced a double clear round to go forward to the final on Sunday where 15 of these jumped a second double clear to split the €2,500 prize fund on offer. The Warmblood Studbook of Ireland-approved stallion Unicum-H (BWP) was one of the 15 double clears and now sits in joint first at the head of the leaderboard with the German-bred mare MCG Carrow Kuhnstuck (WESTF), who was also double clear both days.

Thirty-six of the 87 starters proceeded to Sunday’s six-year-old final, where 21 of these combinations produced a second double clear. The double clear from Tholm Keane and Galwaybay Winningmood (ISH) now positions them top of the leaderboard in this division.

Seven-year-olds

Gemma Phelan and GRC Casper (ISH) took the honours in the seven-year-old qualifier on Saturday when clear in 30.60, ahead of Tara Dunne and Mhb Ask Cazaan, clear in 31.50. Third place belonged to Shane Dalton and ESI Julius, clear in 31.55, while in fourth was Emma O’Dwyer and Chelone Z, clear in 32.36. A clear from Leah Stack aboard Luisa in 32.63 saw them take fifth. Completing the top six was Mark Cleary and Martello Chapella (0/0 33.03).

In Sunday’s seven-year-old final, a total of eight horses delivered clears first time out and, from those, four maintained clean sheets against the clock. Taking the win was the Ann Connors-owned Chelone Z (ZANG), ridden by Emma O’Dwyer, after they came home in a time of 38.18. Chelone Z was bred by Nick Van Turnhout and Stijn Van Campenhout in Belgium. She is a mare by Cicero Z (BWP) out of Hini Van Het Leliehof (BWP), by Wandor Van De Mispelaere (BWP).

O’Dwyer was chased home by young rider Niamh McEvoy riding the Irish Sport Horse stallion Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH), who stopped the clock in 39.25. Bred by Ronan Rothwell, this stallion is by Dominator 2000 Z (ZANG) out of Arina (KWPN), by Crown Z (ZANG).

Daren Hopkins and PMH Spencer (ISH) took third when they crossed the line in 40.12. Bred by Susan Keaveney, this gelding is by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of Egona M (KWPN), by Berlin (KWPN).

Double clears

Last of the double clears was Shane O’Reilly and BWE Windsor, clear in 40.66 for eventual fourth. Bred and owned by Brian McConville, she is by Casallco, out of the Darco mare Vain of the Lowlands.

Shane Dalton and ESI Julius put in a gallant attempt, but four faults in a time of 38.48 saw him take fifth. Owned and bred by Ennisnag Stud, he is by Aganix du Seigneur and out of Triest Star. This combination tops the leaderboard on a total of 11 points, having finished second in Mullingar.

Likewise, Vincent Byrne put in a very fast time with Annemarie Dunne’s CSF Thomascourt Zena, but four faults in 38.81 proved only good enough for sixth place on this occasion. The Zirocco Blue mare was bred by Patrick Connolly out of the Prince Des Vaux-sired CSF Princess Doorn.