THE four-year-old class is a judged class and the top six combinations based over the two qualifying rounds moved forward to the Mo Chroí Championship final on Saturday evening at the EOS IT Solutions Arena. The criteria which the judge used is as follows: jumping technique natural ability 100 marks, 10 fences at 10 marks each, future potential 50 marks and rideability 50 marks which leads to a maximum total mark of 200 marks.

This year, the well-renowned Danish coach Bo Kristoffersen, a former international show jumping rider with decades of top-level experience, was the judge. Kristoffersen is known for developing both horses and riders to their highest potential. As chef d’equipe he has guided multiple teams at Nations Cups, Championships and the Olympics. Top international riders William Whittaker from Britain and Jos Verlooy from Belgium, both rode three of the finalists in the second round and helped Kristoffersen make his final decision. A high quality startlist ensured a thrilling contest and it was the two stallions who shone brightest in the Dublin sun, with Conor McMahon and Nightingale Sporthorses’ Serran De Bun coming out on top with an impressive score of 183 points with the standout mark being 49/50 for rideability.