Candlefort King lights up a win for Walsh

THE South Munster Region of Dressage Ireland held a Christmas-themed show on Sunday at Bridestown where the judges were Joan Ahern and Naomi Donoghue.

The latter assessed those in the 15-strong Preliminary DI P5 class where her winner on 70.69% was Ruth Walsh riding the Irish Sport Horse Candlefort King on whom she was fourth in the EI90 Amateur at the one-day event in Hillcrest in early October. The 17-year-old grey gelding, who was bred by Louth Pony Club District Commissioner Sandra Cumiskey, is by the thoroughbred stallion Beauchamp King out of the Teaspoon mare, Candlefort Lane.

Only eighth in that class on 65.69%, Momo Sheehy and the eventing pony Happy Feet B fared better in the Preliminary DI P15 where they topped Ahern’s scores on 70.89. The eight-year-old skewbald ISH mare, who was bred in Co Offaly by Etter Sportpferde, is by the Belgian Sport Horse stallion Cap Nord d Hyrencourt.

The other three classes were all judged by Ahern whose winners were Sylvia Curtis with the former Niamh Nolan ride Barravalley Lightening (Novice), Marie Hennessy on her 12-year-old Irish Draught gelding Knockahunna Top Gear (Elementary) and Shauna Fitzgibbon with the 14-year-old Chinnor Democrat gelding Damocles LL (Medium).

The Midland and Western Region are holding a show tomorrow at Ower Equestrian while Clonlara Equestrian is the venue for the North Munster Region show on Sunday next, December 20th.