A LARGE number of pony, junior and young riders travelled from Ireland to mainland Europe for two shows in recent weeks, with almost all coming home with placings and some wins too.

The group, accompanied by some parents and trainers, were thankful to Deirdre Seale of Seale Transport who led the convoy, with others following in their own trucks. Deirdre also lent her expertise in helping with health papers, a big headache post-Brexit.

The first stop was Sentower Park in Belgium for the CSI Youth Show, where Wexford show jumper Damien Doyle, who is now based near the venue, was a great help with logistics.

Getting the Irish off to a good start in the first class on Thursday morning, a 1.25m speed, was Wexford’s Taylor Peare who placed second with Pat Peare’s 12-year-old gelding Lissyegan Geoffrey (Hermes de Reve x Captain Clover), bred by Geoffrey Hall. In a big class of 69 starters, they were one of 25 clears in 50.03 seconds, just beaten by Britain’s Tabitha Kyle with Indiana d’Ayrifagne (0/ 48.08).

Kilkenny’s Philip Carey was fifth in the next U25 1.35m class after a clear round with Ballywalter Stables’ Kurkuma Della Caccia, while his younger brother, Robin, who rides under the Swedish flag, was fifth on the same day in the Junior 1.35m class riding Caroline Amundson Carey’s seven-year-old ISH mare Luicruz (Luidam x Puissance), bred by Sean Fahy.

In the first pony class of the show, a 1.20m two-phase, Kilkenny’s Chloe Hughes Kennedy took third place aboard her mother Clare Hughes’ Wrenwood Bambilino, a 10-year-old ISH by Sibon W, bred by Stacey Babes. They were one of 35 double-clear rounds from the 84 starters, finishing in 21.86 seconds. Victory once again went to Tabitha Kyle.

In Friday’s 1.25m pony class, Ben Walsh picked up fourth place with Derryvane Belle (0/ 55.96), while Lauren Adams (Corradino du Bary) and Kian Dore (Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey) were also placed.

Abigail Boland was runner-up in Saturday’s U25 1.35m two-phase aboard Mary Boland’s ISH The Hurricane (Tremoelgoch Clinton x Storm Hill). A great performance saw her clock 23.57 seconds to just miss out on the win by two hundredths of a second to Belgium’s Rik Nauta.

Later that day, Abigail’s younger sister, Annie Boland, was best of the Irish in the 1.30 Pony Grand Prix riding Jimtown. All eight who made it into the jump-off jumped clear again; Annie posted a time of 34.58 seconds. Sadhbh Slattery (Atlanta) was fifth, ahead of Anna White (Tankardstown Dreamer) in seventh and Isabelle Boland (Ardfry Skye) in eighth, all double clear.

Among other Irish riders placed at the venue was Gary Dooley, Natasha Foley, Robyn McOwan, Seamus Hennessy and Kate Lynch.

Wins in Acherhoek

The next stop was Acherhoek in The Netherlands where the Irish good form continued.

Taylor Peare was fourth in the opening day’s junior 1.30m aboard Lissyegan Geoffrey. In the pony ranks, Ciara O’Connor placed fourth in the 1.15m with Noreen O’Connor’s Glean Princess when double clear in 24.17, just ahead of Isabelle Kelleher in fifth place with Hills of Pearls (0/0 25.24).

Athlone’s Lauren Murphy (16) was third in Friday’s junior 1.20m riding David Cullen’s eight-year-old mare J’Adore. The pair then went on to win Saturday’s 1.20m class. From 47 starters, there were 19 double clears and Murphy was the best of them in 25.01 seconds. The horse and rider combination have only been together for eight weeks.

Ciara Geaney placed fourth in the Children on Horses 1.10m two-phase, riding Donal Geaney’s Inspector Roscoe to four faults against the clock. The pair were also fourth on Saturday, before going on to win Sunday’s final in great style.

Garry Dooley was runner-up in Friday’s junior 1.30 with Declan Dooley’s six-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding CSF Olympic Jewel (Mylord Carthago x Clover Hill), bred by Brian Connolly, while Kian Dore was runner-up in the pony Big Tour 1.25m with Sparling Lackaghmore Joey.

The following day, Dooley and CSF Olympic Jewel stepped up to the 1.35m and against took second place showing impressive form.

Grand Prix win for Dore

The biggest result of the weekend came in Sunday’s 1.30m Pony Grand Prix when Kian Dore guided Edel Dore’s nine-year-old gelding Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey to victory in spectacular style. Over a very difficult track, only four made it through to the jump-off, where Dore posted the fastest time by almost two seconds, in 33.36.

Ben Walsh slotted into fourth place with Derryvane Belle after picking up 12 faults against the clock, while Abbie Oakley was fifth aboard Boutade Ste Hermelle. She picked up a single time fault in the first round. The prolific Irish Sport Horse mare Cul Ban Mistress was in sixth place under Britain’s Sula Von Bulow.

In the rest of the final day’s action, Lauren Adams was runner-up in the 1.15m pony class with Dale Adams’ Lexius E Van Het Juxschot.