THE fifth, and final, qualifier for the Star of the Future performance horse championships at next month’s Balmoral Show was staged last Monday at the end of a day of arena eventing action at Lusk Equestrian Centre.

Series judge Gillian Kyle was loud in her praise for the arena and course over which she awarded her highest score of the day, 94 marks, to Kilnamac Bluesky whose stable-companion, Coolnorran Cooley (93.5), finished second. Both six-year-old Irish Sport Horse geldings were ridden for Cooley Farms by stable jockey Amanda Goldsbury.

“The second fellow (by I’m Special de Muze out of Coolnorran Liberty, by Waldo van Dungen) is a good horse but the winner is different gravy altogether,” said Cooley Farms’ Richard Sheane. “I bought him three months ago from Damien Griffin who had bought him as a foal. Damien did a small bit of jumping with him but I see him as a five-star eventer – a true Badminton horse.

“I think he could be the best horse I’ve ever put through my hands and I’ll tell you another thing, he won’t be leaving here unless he is going to a top rider.”

Kilnamac Bluesky, who was bred in Co Tipperary by James Ryan, is by Plot Blue. He is out of the Cruising mare Kilnamac Cruise who is dam previously of the Lux Z gelding Lissyegan Rory (CCI4*-L). Kilnamac Cruise is a full-sister to Joseph Murphy’s great five-star ride, Electric Cruise, and to the dam of the Kannan gelding Kilnamac Kasu who won the six and seven-year-old class at the Eventing Ireland Western Region/Sealac eventing starter series final at Milchem Equestrian last Sunday.

Win for Jackson

Emma Jackson won the five-year-old qualifier with her striking ISH gelding RRS Joe (92 marks) who had contested the Balmoral jumping qualifier at Mullingar on Saturday. Since July last year, this Lancelot gelding has amassed 25 Showjumping Ireland points. He was bred in Co Clare by Aiden Moloney out of Rhineroe Lady Elle (by Colin Diamond) who was out of a Bahrain Cruise mare.

Lucy McIlroy finished second, but a bit adrift, with the traditionally-bred Imperial Wonder (86.5) who was placed in the two EI90 classes for four-year-olds he ran in last season. At Lightsource BP Tyrella (2) last Saturday, the chesnut finished seventh of 36 in the EI100. By Imperial Hights out of Tiney, Imperial Wonder is a full-brother of the McIlroy-ridden pair Major Black and Imperial Black Pearl.

Having thanked the band of helpers who made the day such a success, Jenny Lusk reminded all present that the final of the Gibson Equine Haylage performance championships takes place in the Main Arena at Balmoral Park on Friday, May 12th – day three of the annual RUAS show. The first of the pre-qualified horses is due to appear before judge Lt Col Tom Freyne at 8.30am. The next event at Lusk Equestrian is the annual May Day Show featuring working hunter and showing classes.