THE finals of the ISH Studbook Show Jumping Series was held at Coilog Equestrian last Friday.

The series, which began in The Meadows three months earlier, has attracted the best youngsters in the country and the final was no exception.

Emelee, a mare by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of Lux Forever, (by Lux Z), bred by John Hassett, dominated in the seven-year-old section.

Owned and ridden by Catriona Redmond, the pair produced a jump-off time of 30.90 seconds to secure the victory in the five-strong decider.

Speaking after the win, Redmond said: “We’re delighted with her. We bought her from her breeder when she was four-years-old. She was only just backed so I’ve had her since the start.

“Her rideability is amazing. She is so easy and so careful you don’t have to try with her at all she is just watching the poles herself.

“This was her first studbook class this year because we are bringing her along slowly because we are doing embryo transfers with her so we give her little breaks with that.

“As a six-year-old, we took three embryos from her and this year I have three fillies, two by Chaco Bay and one by Zirocco Blue.

“I have a yearling out of her also by Zirocco Blue and two two-year-olds by Untouchable. I only really started breeding the year I got her so guess you’d say she is my foundation mare.

“Competition wise I’d love to bring her to some of the bigger shows. As she has only just moved up to 1.35m a few weeks ago I have to see how she goes. I think she will be well able to move up to the bigger classes; she’s been jumping clear rounds all year. For now I’ll just keep moving her up until she lets me know she is not happy; so far the height isn’t an issue for her, she’s just 15.3hh but that doesn’t seem to affect her.

“I think a lot of her, and was delighted to receive an email from HSI today telling me they have moved her up to three-star level. I never thought I’d have a mare that would be of that standard, I’m thrilled.

“She has always been impressive, when she was four years old the only problem was she jumped too high, but over the years she has settled down and now she doesn’t overdo it. She has become more and more confident because she doesn’t scare herself by over-jumping. It’s exciting to see what lies ahead for her now,” she concluded.

Joseph Sharkey’s AHG Whiterock De Muse Of Cruise, (a gelding by Cardento out of Raheenwood Cruise by Cruising) took the runner-up spot.

Bred by Ann Clancy and ridden by Cora Sharkey, the duo broke the finish beams in 31.74. Third place went to Noel Cawley’s mare Emerald Mystique. By Emerald Van’t Ruytershof and out of Overruled (by Cruising), he was guided to a clear round in 32.20 by Kevin Gallagher.

The Mary McCann-bred Covalent, (a mare by Valent out of Cruising May Clover, by Cruising) which is owned by Keonan Stables and was ridden by Nicole Kershaw, slotted into fourth place in 33.78.

Fifth went to Lough Scur Quality Lady and Francis Connors. Owned and bred by Seamus Tighe, this mare is by OBOS Quality 004 out of Lough Scur Sardiamond, by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan.

The fastest four-faulters from round one – Kevin Gallagher riding the GBBS Int Ltd-owned and bred gelding BP Winston (by Cavalier Royale out of Diamond Puissance, by Puissance) – completed the line up in sixth.

Champion honours

The ISH Studbook Series Champion in the seven-year-old division was HW True Blue, ridden by Vincent Byrne. By Plot Blue out of Warrenstown Lass, by Warrenstown You 2, he was bred and is owned by Hilda Wall.

Florida Springs took second place. By Mermus R out of Rockville Star, by Kings Master, she was bred by Patrick Smith, is owned by Francis Derwin and was ridden by Francis Derwin Jnr.

Third place went to Lisboy Louie, by Luidam out of Sinn Time. Bred by Ann Healy Baynes, he is owned by Richard McEvoy and was ridden by Niamh McEvoy.