THERE was an early start for judge Debbie Machin and those competing in the Oblique Displays first ridden pony class at the Dublin Horse Show last Saturday. The stewards closed the gates for the start of the class at 8am and, when it ended, young Mia de Bromhead from Co Waterford was the proud recipient of the red rosette having put in an excellent performance on Aileen Goff’s Jasmyne de Sauviat with whom she was second last August.

Although the 17-year-old mare is from a pure Welsh line, the bay daughter of Riversong Royal Ambassador was bred in Co Cork by the Dair family out of the Stradbally Bacchus mare, Stradbally Elaine. Mia is trained by Nicki Russell who, later in the day, was to partner a winner herself.