IN the ORHRE (O’Reilly Hyland Real Estate) four-year-old Championship final on Saturday, 20 finalists battled it out for the €7,500 on offer. With a good standard of four-year-olds making the final, it came as no surprise that there was little between the placings as judged by Dan Walsh and Alain Storme.

Following a terrific few weeks where he was leading rider in Dublin and won his first five-star Grand Prix in Valkenswaard, Mikey Pender was back in the limelight as he took the win aboard his own Madgeslane Luidam. Despite torrential rain on the day, the pair were awarded the winning score of 53.5.

This gelding had earlier impressed at Mullingar International when taking the runner-up place. Owned and bred by Mikey Pender and his mother Annemarie Pender, the gelding is by Luidam out of the OBOS Quality-sired mare Madges Lane Karol. Pender has eight other offspring registered from this dam who he campaigned in 2018 and on whom Nano Healy took over the reins in 2019.

Speaking after the class, judge Dan Walsh said: “The standard was so high in this class, in fact I would say it’s the highest all year. All top eight horses in my opinion have the potential to jump at Grand Prix level in the future. It’s positive to see that all the breeding incentives from HSI are paying off and it’s clear to see this in this class. I would say that Ireland is producing top-quality animals.”

Following closely behind on a score of 53 was Daren Hopkins and Leestone Stockholm. This combination had taken fifth place in Millstreet last month. Owned by Ballywalter Stables and bred by John McKibbin, the mare is by Emerald out of Zidane KWPN (Heartbreaker).

David Moran and KM Sport Horses’s Ballinaguilkey Special Star took third place when they finished on a score of 50.5. by Big Star out of Cavalier Milly (Ramiro B), the gelding was bred by John and Barbara Walsh.

Nicholas Connors finished very closely behind Moran when his mount, Chelone Z, was awarded 50 marks. Bred by Van Turnhout and Van Campenhout, this Zangersheide mare is by Cicero Z out of the Wandor Van De Mispelaere-sired Hini Van Het Leliehof. This combination had their first outing in the Iverk show just a week before.

Lucy Gibson and Lady Catoki finished on 49 marks for fifth place. Owned by Charlotte Gibson and bred by Pauline Gibson, the mare is by Catoki out of Vendi Luck (Ars Vivendi). The combination have been in the ribbons this year, claiming sixth place in the four-year-old championships in Balmoral in July.

Completing the top six was Nicola FitzGibbon and One Day Maybe on a score of 48. Owned by Mark Bolger and Aurore Vernois and bred by Patrick Hogan, the mare is by Bentley Van De Heffinck out of Kannan Queen.