SETTING the ball rolling early in the year, Ireland’s sport horse sales kick off at Cavan next week. This one-day renewal offers a catalogue of around 120 lots, among which are several attractively described performers. In keeping with the season, a selection of fully warranted hunters stand out among the entries, but the competition sector is also well represented.

Just six sires have more than one progeny forward, and with four lots represented, the standout sire is Sligo Candy Boy. Padraig Howley’s stallion dominated the top prices last year, while other notable stallions include Mermus R and Imperial Heights who have three lots on the ground apiece.

As last year, the majority of the vendors will be posting their videos on the online portal which, will of course will be available for distance bidders.

PONIES

Lot 12 Grove Hill Rocky, reg 9 yo gr gelding (colt in catalogue) 137cms by Spiddal Wills Boy out of Crystal (Balmalcolm Starry Halo). The winner of 18 SJI points to date (including this current year), Rocky is a well-related full-brother to the TRI Ulster region tour winner and grade A jumping pony Ava’s Ruby.

Lot 21 Callow Mary (CP), reg 6 yo gr m 144 cms by Cooling America out of Callow Valley (Glenvalley Grey). A pure-bred Connemara, Mary has successfully competed in both the show jumping and eventing disciplines. Described as easy and genuine in every way, she is thought to be the ideal all-rounder.

Lot 23 Kilmoylan Paris, reg 15 yo sk m 125cms (breeding not recorded). An ideal stepping stone jumping pony for the smallest child, this schoolmaster is the winner of 121 SJI points. Sadly for sale and easy to manage, she has a fantastic record in the under-10 ranks at 70 and 80cm level, proving to be a most consistent performer.

Lot 29 Birchill All Star, reg 5 yo gr m 138cms by Silver Shadow out of Be My Star (Monaghanstown Fionn). This well-bred Connemara mare is the winner of 30 SJI points to date. Thought suitable for all equestrian disciplines, she is ridden by a nine-year-old child and is an ideal prospect for a competitive family home. Measured for 2022, she is a pony with a bright future.

OLDER COMPETITION HORSES

Lot 39 Lady, reg 14 yo gr m 158cms by Young Carrabawn out of Kilcarna Lady (Condios). Fully warranted as a quiet ride, this mare has a wealth of competitive mileage under her belt. Impeccably mannered, and not spooky, she has been very successful in working hunter classes, and was placed fourth in the 1.20m intermediate class at HOYS in 2016. She also qualified for the IPC festival in pure dressage, she has competed in many pony club activities and was double clear in the John Ledingham show jumping finals.

Lot 42 Libertatem, reg 10 yo gr g 170 cms by Frankfort Boy out of Freedom Lady (Kildalton King). A traditionally bred event horse with 18 EI points, Libertatem has competed to two-star level both nationally and internationally, and has won at EI 110m level. Quiet in every way, he is suitable for all equestrian pursuits, and only being sold due to his rider going to college.

Lot 47 Royale Mardi Gras (Rio), reg 9 yo br g 158cms by Templebready Fear Bui out of Edenside Cavalado (Cavalier Royale). A very correct individual, Rio has been slowly produced. He competed in the young rider event horse class at the RDS, and is described as being extremely competitive and hard to beat in the 1.10m and 1.20m show jumping ranks. The winner of 113 SJI points, he has well-balanced paces and thought to be the ideal young rider jumping horse or an event horse. Easy to do, he is declared as a windsucker.

Lot 63 Vicarstown Firefly, reg 6 yo ch g 165cms by Numero Cruise out of Vicarstown Romantic Lady (Womanizer). Slowly produced, this attractive gelding is currently competing at 1.10m level, and jumped in some of the five-year-old classes last year. The winner of 12 SJI points to date, he is likely to be a good prospect to produce either in show jumping or as an event horse.

Lot 64 Carrickglen Diamond, reg 6 yo ch g 165cms by Imperial Heights out of Lady Valentine (dam sire not recorded). A qualifier for the young event horse class at Balmoral show in 2021, and eligible for this class again this year, this gelding has clocked up 14 SJI points. Described as a real head turner and an ideal working hunter prospect, he will make a super all-rounder for a competitive rider.

Lot 66 Garrybritt Pearl, reg 6 yo b m 164cms by Pirateer (IRE) out of Penny Bar (IRE) by Zaffaran (USA). An unraced thoroughbred and never in training, Pearl has been professionally produced and has completed in EI90 events on two occasions. Genuine and quiet, she has been ridden at home by a 12-year-old girl.

Lot 74 HVL Deep Impact, reg 5 yo b g 170cms by A Guidam M out of Highland Mystique (Flagmount King). One for the future could be this gelding who show jumped successfully last year. He qualified for and was clear in several four-year-old jumping finals and, a sibling to two graded jumpers, is thought to have a big future.

Lot 83 Ballycasey Cloonbarry Comanche, reg 5 yo b g 170cms by Sligo Candy Boy out of Cloonbarry Linda (Lux Z). This lightly competed gelding has taken part in training shows and Try Eventing. A horse with good movement and a trainable mind, he is thought likely to make a top class all-rounder.

Lot 86 SFH Golden Moment, reg 5 yo dn g 161cms by Barely a Moment out of Lisrore Cashel Bay (Moy Haze Cove). An attractively bred Connemara/thoroughbred cross, this quiet gelding has competed in show jumping training shows and eventing at EI 90 level. A type to suit a rider of all abilities, he is ready to take on.

Lot 87 Poynstown You Too Isabelle, reg 5 yo b m 173cms by Warrestown You 2 out of Ballinamonapark Alana (Cougar). This good-looking mare has competed at several training shows, never lowering a fence. She is described as careful, wanting to please and has taking everything in her stride. She has also been cross country schooling, and is easy to do in and out of the stable.

Lot 94 Model County Captivate, reg 5 yo b g 173 cms by Chacoa out of Drominboy Princess (Cougar). The winner of both a four-year-old ridden hunter championship and dressage competitions, this is a very versatile gelding. Professionally produced, he has jumped at training shows, is very well schooled on the flat and has a willing attitude.

HUNTERS AND ALL-ROUNDERS

Lot 48a Ringfort Cruiser, reg 8 yo gr g 17.3hh by Ringfort Cruise (dam by Drumri). This big grey has followed the Ward Union and the Fingal Harriers for five seasons. Described as having a super, careful jump, he could also turn his hand to eventing, working hunter classes or show jumping.

Lot 49 Ashbrooke Seirios, reg 8 yo gr g 168cms by Ringfort Cruise out of Kizmehoney (Exit to Nowhere). This useful performer has show jumped up to 1.20m to win 7 SJI points. He has hunted with Tynan and Armagh hounds, and shows bravery and scope across the country.

Lot 52a Cruise, reg 7 yo ch g 165cms by Clover Echo (dam by Carrick Diamond Lad). A veteran of four seasons hunting, this gelding is very brave and will go in front.

Lot 76 Cherrymount Raen, reg 5 yo br g 162cms by Dunsandle Diamond out of Cherrymount Ri (by Drumri). A good mover and a correct model, this gelding has hunted all season. He knows his job well and is fully used to negotiating gates, ditches, hedges, etc.

THREE AND FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

Lot 106 Golden King Lux, reg 4 yo ch g 160cms by Olympic Lux out of Kiltown Twilight (Flagmount King). Described as a real event type, this smartly bred gelding combines a successful sport sire with a traditional dam’s line. Hailing from a very old family, the dam features the thoroughbred Hildenley close in her pedigree, and although unbroken this could be a smart prospect.

Lot 107 Ox View Joy, reg 4 yo b f 162cms by Sligo Candy Boy out of Fahy Joy (Captain Clover). A July foal, this exciting filly is in the process of being broken. Light off the ground, and with a good step, she performed well in the Mayo and Roscommon Breeders loose jumping competition last summer and looks to be an ideal event type.

Lot 108 Unnamed, 4 yo gr g 163cms by Echo King out of Gortnalea Grey Mist (Dunkerrin Grey Mist). A hunter for the future, this gelding has already been to a few training shows and has hunted with the Kildare, the West Meath and the South County Dublin hounds.