THE final of the Horse Sport Ireland-sponsored Combined Training Challenge took place at Barnadown in Co Wexford on Saturday and attracted over 65 entries.

Fourteen qualifiers took place across Ireland during the season, with €1,900 on offer in each of the four final classes at heights ranging from 80cm to 1m10, including €600 to each of the four winners.

It is a new initiative of Dressage Ireland, which accommodates both members and non-members of Dressage Ireland, and is open to those who are members of Eventing Ireland, Showjumping Ireland, Irish Pony Club, Irish Pony Society and Riding Clubs.

Dressage tests are set at either preliminary or novice level and show jumping fence heights range from 80cm – 1.10cm across four different classes. The new initiative is aimed at encouraging new riders to embrace the sport of dressage.

The winning combinations were as follows:

1st 80cm – Ian Grace and Rhaegar WV

1st 90cm – Gilly Crawford and Chesterfield Willpower

1st 1m – Terence White and Garybritt Dignified

1st 1m10 – Gilly Crawford and Calligstown Silver Doolin

Gillian Kyle from Dressage Ireland said: “Thank you very much to Horse Sport Ireland for sponsoring this competition, it has proved a huge success. The dressage judges today thought the standard of the dressage was very good.”

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said: “Congratulations to our four winners and all those who competed during the season. Horse Sport Ireland were delighted to sponsor the Combined Training Challenge which has proved very successful in introducing new people to dressage.”