Lanaken latest

FIVE Irish Sport Horses are going through to the finals at the WBFSH World Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, Belgium this weekend.

Three five-year-olds go through; Little Beach ridden by Stacey Babes, Deep Pockets ridden by Jim Derwin, and the recently sold Ard Ginger Pop, ridden by Sweden’s Angelica Augustsson.

In the six-year-old division, Mini Cruzano ridden by Thomas O’Brien has booked a place in the final, while the seven-year-old Shantonagh, ridden by Nicola Fitzgibbon will also feature.

Wexford’s Bertram Allen has also booked a place in the final, albeit with a European-bred horse, Barnike, a registered with the Netherland pony studbook.

The Irish Field will feature a full report on the Lanaken finals next week.

Mary King visit

EVENTING legend Mary King is to visit the newly re-opened Holmestead Saddlery Superstore next Saturday, September 27th as part of the 10-day party to celebrate the store’s relaunch.

Holmestead boss Bill Holmes travelled to Devon earlier this week to meet King and her eventer daughter Emily to plan their trip over and talk about the rider’s new training book, My Way.

While times have yet to be confirmed, it is believed King will sign copies of her book and pose for photographs between 1pm and 4pm.

The massive 10-day celebration of the Holmstead re-opening began yesterday and with visitors to the store will be treated to top-notch cuisine from the in-house chefs, buck’s fizz and cappuccinos free of charge every day. For details of special offers in store, turn to the winter fashion feature on  pages A72-73.

EI racing offer

DOWNPATRICK Racecourse is supporting Eventing Ireland by offering all competitors and officials at today’s one-day event at Lusks, Knockany two complimentary admission tickets to the track’s meeting on Friday next, September 26th. There will be an opportunity on raceday to upgrade tickets to the BBQ fun package for a very modest fee.

Connaught dies

PHILLIP Dutton’s Rolex Kentucky CCI**** winner Connaught was put down on Wednesday due to complications related to old age.

The Irish Sport Horse gelding, who was aged 21, won the prestigious Rolex Kentucky event in 2008, the same year he carried Dutton to compete in the 2008 Hong Kong Olympic Games. The pair always performed particularly well in Kentucky, finishing fourth in 2006, second in 2007 and seventh in 2009. 

Known at home as Simon, Connaught was registered in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook as Ballysimons Best and was foaled in 1993. The scopy bay was by Ballysimon (ISH) out of Bromehill Rogue (ISH) by Royal Rogue (TB) and was bred by Michael O’Kelly from Kilrush in Co Clare.