BENNY Liath and Charlie Of Blakehill have been regular participants in the Connemara performance hunter championships at Dublin over the years and both booked their 2022 tickets for the eight to 15-year-old final at Rincoola last Saturday.

However, the pair only did so in second place with Benny Liath, winner of the younger pony title in 2015, completing on 239.5 points in Section A behind the class’s other qualifier, Aideen Robinson’s Cloon Apollo (243.5). This 13-year-old Funambule II gelding, who was ridden by Aoife Keogh, was bred by Jennifer Bolger out of the Silver Cloud mare Grainne Mhaile.

The winner of Section B was Niamh Ruane’s 15-year-old Silver Shadow mare Irish Cousin who amassed 242.5 points under Eimear Nee while Charlie Of Blakehill booked his ticket with 241.5 points. The Dublin-bound winner, who was bred by Martin Duggan, is out of the I Love You Melody mare Starview Melody

I Love You Melody is damsire also of Ann Walsh’s Battlestown Delight who won Section B of the five to seven-year-old qualifier on 239 points. This six-year-old gelding by Burning Daylight was ridden by the owner’s son Andrew who also campaigns the grey under Eventing Ireland rules. They have been placed many times this season at EI100 (P) level. Battlestown Delight was bred at his Cullintra Stud in Kilkenny by Pat Murphy out of Rehins Lady, a full-sister to the former Grade A jumping pony Sunhill Star.

Also qualifying in second place here on 237.5 points was the six-year-old Templebready Fear Bui gelding Castletown Lad who was ridden by Roisin Winters for Jane Barry.

Section A was won by Des Flavin’s previously-qualified seven-year-old Burren Victory gelding Cloneenagh Jacko who, on this occasion, amassed a total of 235 points under Grainne Favin to record a one-point victory over Shanbo Myles whose owner/rider, Moya Teeling, was delighted to secure a golden ticket.

Her 2016 Shanbo Jimmy gelding, who was bred by Noel Farrell out of the Monaghanstown Fionn mare Morning Star Mist, also finished second in his ridden Connemara class at Tattersalls on Sunday.

Owner Breda and rider Mairead Donworthy secured the second ticket on offer here with the third-placed pony, Tawnagh Lad (233.5), a 2015 grey gelding by Classiebawn Black Jack out of a Linsfort Boy mare.

Sponsored by Berney Bros Saddlery, the Connemara performance hunter championships at the Dublin Horse Show take place in Ring 2 on Wednesday August 17th.