THE Irish Sport Horse Studbook five-year-old final was dominated by Phelan and Jessica Burke.

Following a competitive jump-off, Gemma Phelan took the win when fifth to go in the nine-way jump-off, she lodged the fastest of the five double clears, in 40.67 seconds, on ABC Ballycruise. Owned by Victoria Foster and bred by Patrick Kehoe in Carlow, the gelding is by Cruising out of Arctic Diamond.

All eyes were on the last to go, Jessica Burke and Lux A Special Lady, but despite a calculated round, they stopped the clock, clear in 43.02 for second. Owned and bred by Desmond Judge, the mare is by Lux Z out of Aisling Clover. Phelan took third place when she delivered a clear with the Numero Uno-sired (KWPN) stallion, Limestone Uno in 47.37. Burke, who had gone earlier in the class, had also put in a foot-perfect performance with Ralph Morgan’s Orestus-sired mare, Orestus Clover, but their time of 49.21 proved good enough for fourth.

Killian Dunne and Ballyoskill Big Bucks, were last of the double clears, in 51.54, for fifth. Raphael Jnr Lee and Lough Derg Grey lodged the fastest time of the class when clocking 37.70, but four faults just after the double meant a sixth place finish for him. Bred by Martin Sullivan and owned by Rosemarie Hynes, the mare is by Gamble on Diamond out of Dina.

This year the overall five-year-old Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series champion was Orestus Clover. She finished on a total of 27 league points, having returned very consistent performances. This combination won the league having beaten off stiff competition from Catherine Thornton and ABC Caruso (ISH) who finished on 25 points.

SIX-YEAR-OLD FINAL

Sophie Richards took the win in the six-year-old final with with MHS Fernhill. The penultimate combination in the five-way-jump-off, they delivered the winning clear in 32.84. Bred by the late Ita Brennan and owned by Carol Gee, the gelding is by Cardento out of the Guidam-sired dam, MHS Pembrook Lady. The next fastest of the clears was delivered by Shane Goggins riding Laura Burke’s Galwaybay Penelope (Clinton x Chardonnay), in 32.96.

The last of the double clears was lodged by Ciaran Nallon and Cardine in 33.60. Bred by Jerry Quinn and owned by Gerard Quinn, the gelding is by Cardento out of Tummery Limelight. Derek McConnell proved that the time could be beaten, when as last to go, he clocked 31.01 with Longfield Quinlui, (Quintender x Dshlyi), but four faults saw him take fifth.

It wasn’t a bad day for McConnell as he also placed with Sorcha Hennessy’s Dothraki Warlord (Mermus R x Tiamo Diamant), when acting as pathfinders, they crossed the line carrying four faults in 33.01.

The six-year-old Irish Sport Horse Studbook series league champion was Longfield Quinlui (ISH), a bay mare by Quintender (HOLST) out of Dshlyi (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN), bred by Seamus Drea, owned and ridden by Derek McConnell. They had four double clears throughout the eight leg series and accumulated a total of 24 points.

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD FINAL

Shane Goggins may have been denied his win in the earlier class, but he made no mistakes in the seven-year-old final. Just three contested the jump-off from the six starters. Last to go and riding Carrow Kavanann, Goggins delivered the winning round in 31.68. Owned by Ballywalter Farms, the mare is by Kannan out of Cavalier Royale-sired dam, Cavaliers Princess. First to go, Gemma Phelan was back in the line-up, when taking second with Galaxy, clear in 32.67. Bred by Kedrah House Stud, the gelding is by Clarimo out of Contend Heraldik.

Fastest of the four-faulters in 41.15 was Tim MacDonagh and his own Hollypark Boom Boom. Bred by Clare Hughes, this gelding boasts an impressive breeding line, by Heritage Fortunus and out of HHS Diamond Exchange.

The seven-year-old ISH Studbook showjumping series league champion was Paciro (ISH) a gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Ramiro View (ISH) by Ramiro B (BWP), bred by Patrick Flanagan, owned by Lorna Daly and ridden by Thomas O’Brien.

(Please turn to A65 for photos of the Studbook final presentations)