IN the Galway Crystal/ Belleek China 3 Year Old Horse All Ireland Championship at Bannow & Rathangan Show yesterday (Thursday) Seamus Lehane from West Cork and his gelding Ballard Eagle (Master Imp x Carrigroe Princess) took first place, while  David Kirkpatrick from Co. Down with the gelding Redwood Lachain Clover (French Buffet x Laughton's Clover) was runner up.

The 3 Year Old Horse Championship at Bannow & Rathangan Show in County Wexford has been recognised as one of the premier showing classes in Ireland by being included in Horse Sport Ireland's new National Showing Championship Series, in association with the Irish Shows Association. Only ten Championships around Ireland have been included in the Series, which will see €20,000 being injected into showing in 2011

Beginning with yesterday's All Ireland Three Year Old Horse final in Bannow & Rathangan, the Series will end with the Irish Draught Filly Foal Championship in Ballinasloe, County Galway in October. There will be a total of 206 qualifying classes run around the country in the lead up to the finals. 

HSI CEO Damian McDonald, who attended the final, said the championship had been a huge success.

“Horses came from huge distances to the All Ireland final, which was excellently organised by the Committee of Bannow- Rathangan show and the Irish Shows Association. I want to congratulate Seamus Lehane on his win and also thank Galway Crystal /Belleek China for their continued support of this Championship,” he said.

Seamus Lehane from West Cork and his gelding Ballard Eagle