IF there was one horse at the 2024 Dublin Horse Show deserving of success it was Patrickswell Sherry who, having been placed in both 2022 and 2023, finally won his performance Irish Draught class on Wednesday, having moved into the six-year-old and upwards category.

Once again ridden by Corena Bowe for her father J.J., the Cappa Amadeus gelding received 67 points (out of 80) for his flatwork with the second-placed Kontiki, who competes at Dressage Ireland Elementary level with his owner, Penny Murphy, being awarded the next highest score (59). That Charlotte Harding-ridden 10-year-old Killinick Bouncer gelding recorded one of just three clear rounds in the class en route to completing on 297.

Patrickswell Sherry, who was bred by Noel Sheridan out of the Castana mare Springvale Countess, lowered a pole but with that excellent flat work mark and the highest ride score (38), the six-year-old ran out the comfortable winner (306).

The two stallions in the class, DS Ballagh Bouncer (Hannah Gordon) and Ashfield Bouncer (Jess Murphy) finished third (295) and fourth (290) respectively, with the Nicky Roncoroni-partnered Gneeve King William, who had the highest conformation score (28), placing fifth (282).

This weekend, Ashfield Bouncer is due to compete in the Intro Intermediate final at the Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club eventing championships at Tattersalls.

As previously, there was no ‘For Sale’ note in Patrickswell Sherry’s entry in the catalogue. Bowe’s son Michael, a well-known talent on the Irish Pony Club tetrathlon scene and who, too, is competing at Tattersalls this weekend, was happy to talk about the amazing obstacles the grey tackled out with the Wexfords and Brees with his father more or less concurring when stating: “He’s a machine out hunting.” Bowe senior also said: “It was good to see that the winners received sashes this year.”