Connolly’s Red mills

Spring Tour

As in previous years, many young riders used the Red Mills Spring Tour as the start to their season. As well as competing for the young rider award, they put it up to the senior riders. This year Christopher O’Connell, with BVS Echo Island, took the young rider bursary prize, while BVS Echo was the leading seven and eight-year-old. Christopher also formed part of the junior team at CSIOJ - Opglabbeek which finished fourth. His team mates on this occasion were Mikey Pender (Sheikh), Cormac Foley (Ballylynch Adventure) and Patrick Hickey (Quandurina).

Dublin Horse Show

In the young rider division Kilkenny’s Anna Carway took the first young rider championship when she rode to victory in the 1.35/1.40m with Ajaccio. Carway also took third place with Claricella. Amongst Carway’s good results later in the season was a sixth place finish in the 1.45m Ashford Farm Grand Prix with Claricella and a fifth place finish with Ajaccio in the 1.45m at Sentower Park youth festival in Belgium. Darragh Ryan and Barsina took those honours. In the 1.10/1.15m it was Isabel Fitzpatrick and HHS Fair Game to the fore. Darragh Ryan also took the leading young rider title of the show. Ryan finished off his year with an impressive win when claiming the CSI-Y 1.30m Grand Prix with Zuidam at the Millstreet Owner’s Pony and Young Riders Charity Show.

Dublin Horse Show was also a memorable week for Mikey Pender as he shone in the young horse division. In the five-year-old ‘Flexible’ National Championship Pender won with Seven Canya Dance and took second place in the six-year-old ‘Cruising’ National Championship with Curra Clover Flight (ISH). This was only the start for Pender as the 16-year-old won both the silver and bronze medals in the five-year-old final at the World Breeding Jumping Championships at Lanaken in Belgium. Pender was double-handed in the decider and took the early lead in the 20-horse jump-off with Seven Canya Dance (ISH). Returning with his second mount, Pender then beat his own target time with his second mare, Z Seven Caretina.

SJI National Championships

Another great class to watch young riders in action is the Holmestead Saddlery Superstore 1.30cms National Championship taking place at the SJI National Championships. Following some tough competition, this year victory went to Shane Dalton and Belfield’s Captain. Dalton recorded another important victory when he led the victory lap in the 1.20m Grand Prix on Kashino at the Owners’ Pony and Young Rider Charity Show in Millstreet. The combination have certainly had a good year and amongst their other good results was victory in the All-Ireland Speed Championships at Cavan in September as well as winning the six-year-old Horse Sport Ireland ISH Studbook Showjumping Series.

Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan put in a strong challenge at the national championships and a series of good results saw him take the National Champion title for 2016. Ryan topped off his year at Millstreet Owners’ Pony and Young Riders Charity Show when winning the Young Rider 1.30m Grand Prix (Cavalier Teaca). Ryan was also presented with the Keith Griffin Trophy for the leading young rider for the second year running.

Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour

In the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour, the Karlswood Stables Young Rider bursary was won by Jennifer Kuehnle for her consistent performance in the league. Earlier in the year Kuehnle hinted she was one to watch as she beat off stiff competition to win the 1.35m Millstreet CSI* Welcome Tour Grand Prix with Electric Feel.

In this same class another junior rider, Luke Garrigan, demonstrated his talent when filling third place with MHS La Scala.