THE seventh Connolly’s Red Mills Showing Ireland champion of champions finals were held last Sunday during the Wicklow Show at Barnadown where Maurice Cousins and his team had the main grass arena in superb order for the afternoon’s feature classes which were live-streamed for the first time.

English judges Michelle Burgess (ride) and Patrick Lobb (conformation) would have been unaware of the details of the horses before them but that could not be said of those following the action online. This was thanks to a well-delivered, informative commentary from one of the country’s top show horse producers, Jane Bradbury a winner and judge previously in this series, and Jane Davis, head of marketing at Connolly’s Red Mills.

“This past Sunday was a remarkable occasion, showcasing the finest Irish show horses, riders, producers and breeders,” Davis related to The Irish Field. “We celebrated the seventh renewal of the Connolly’s Red Mills Showing Ireland Champion of Champions and were genuinely thrilled by the support we received for both the qualifiers and the finals this year.

“A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the competitors who have supported Showing Ireland and Connolly’s Red Mills throughout the summer. Each qualifying show can take pride in their qualified combinations, as every competitor delivered a professional performance across the three finals. We extend our gratitude to Michelle Burgess and Patrick Lobb for their expert judging, and we hope they enjoyed the event.

“This year marked the first time the Champion of Champions was live-streamed. I had the pleasure of providing commentary alongside renowned show rider and producer Jane Bradbury, with stunning visuals captured by Tadhg Ryan and the Bit-Media team. The livestream was available on the Connolly’s Red Mills and Showing Ireland Facebook pages, as well as on Clip My Horse.

“When Showing Ireland was first set up, their goal was to spotlight Irish showing and increase participation in the sport. Looking at the three finals on Sunday, I feel they are certainly making progress toward that goal. Witnessing the variety of riders, producers, owners and breeders, along with the diverse range of horses - including cobs, Irish Draughts, traditionally-bred Irish horses, coloured horses, riding horses and thoroughbreds - was truly inspiring.”

Jane Bradbury has no ridden horses in her Co Wicklow yard this season but Jane Davis was in action on Sunday, finishing second in the thoroughbred working hunter class on her once-raced eye-catching grey gelding Tiffany’s Gold. The class was won by Louise Duffy, chairperson of the Association of Ireland Clubs, on the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo. Both geldings were bred in France.