DESPITE challenging weather conditions, the first of eight qualifiers for the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series took place at the Midleton Agricultural Show in Ballindenisk on Sunday, May 26th, with the second held at Raheendaw Horse and Pony Show on the June Bank Holiday weekend.

The series highlights Tattersalls Ireland’s continuing support for the aftercare of racehorses.

In the Novice section at Midleton, Rosemary Connors and the seven-year-old gelding, Craigs Cross, took the victory. Previously running on the point-to- point track, Craigs Cross has seamlessly transitioned to the show ring under the guidance of Treo Eile retrainer Connors. Emily Kate Robinson secured second place with A Plus Tard, a 10-year-old bay gelding, who has shifted from a successful Grade 1 racing career to showing this year. This comes on the back of their success at Balmoral Show, where they finished second in the ITBA Racehorse to Riding Horse class. Chloe Ahern and Salseros, fresh off the track with a recent second-place finish in a point-to-point earlier this month, took third.

The Open section saw Lois Chappell and Iskander Prince claim the top spot, improving on their second-place finish in last year’s qualifier at Clonmel Show. Vincent Phelan and Askforbigmoney, an eight-year-old gelding, finished second, securing their place in this year’s final at the Royal Meath Show in September. The gelding finished sixth in the Novice Final in last year’s edition and they have already booked their ticket to the Dublin Horse Show, after winning the Northern Ireland Festival qualifier. Jennifer Murphy and the 16-year-old gelding Dark Outsider rounded out the top three.

Raheendaw qualifier

The second qualifier at Raheendaw Horse and Pony Show took place by kind permission of the Burgess family.

In the Novice Section, there were 10 entries, who made it a very competitive class. The winner on the day was Alannah Tobin and her mother Laura Brennan Tobin’s, Lansing. Lansing is a seven-year-old gelding by Toronado, who had 10 runs on the flat whilst being trained by David Marnane. This combination started their season with a win at the Show of The East in the Novice Racehorse to Riding Horse Class, as well as a successful trip to the Northern Irish Festival. Taking the runner-up position was Sarah Lang and the Make Believe gelding, Pollanassa. Bred by Thomas Shirley, the five-year-old ran 18 times on the flat before turning to the show ring.

Competitive

The Open section was equally competitive, with 16 combinations bidding for their qualifying ticket. Vincent Phelan and Askforbigmoney were able to go one better than their second placing at Middleton Show the week previous, and take the victory. The eight-year-old gelding by Ask, ran in three point-to-points before turning his hand to the show ring. The combination is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure, they were Reserve Champion at the All-Ireland Open Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship at Tullow Show last year.

Also booking their ticket to the final in September was Jane Davis and Tiffany’s Gold, who came second. The striking six-year-old grey gelding had one run on the flat before transitioning to his second career. Earlier this year, this combination won the final of the Stepping Stones to Success Thoroughbred League at Wexford Equestrian and they have also made their debut in Eventing with resounding success.

The next leg of the series takes place at Mullingar Showing Show of the Year on June 15th. Full details of the series can be found on www.treoeile.com.