DAFM Studbook Series Leaders: All equal after Leg 3

The 2024 DAFM Studbook Series for Showjumping kicked off on the 13^th of April with a one day show in Tipperary EC. The introduction of one day shows in 2024 followed extensive feedback and has been widely hailed as a positive change for young horse production and horse welfare.

The Series is delivered by Horse Sport Ireland, and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) under National Breeding Services. The 2024 series is open to all DAFM-approved studbooks with a total prize fund of €89,300.

Tholm Keane with 5-Year-Old MGH Rioja (ISH) jumping clear at Leg one of the DAFM Studbook Series in Tipperary EC. Photo by Paul Henson, Jump in Action.

Tipperary EC Leg 1

Of the 64 entries for the 5-Year-Old class, 23 horses jumped clear to claim the first points on the leader board for 2024. The 23 clears shared a prized fund of €1,800, with breeder and groom prizes of €300 and €100 respectively, also available. The Groom Prize fund was introduced in the series for 2024 to recognize and reward bona fide grooms who are active in the industry and provide essential health & welfare support to competing young horses.

Within the 58 entries of the 6-Year-Old class, nearly half found favourable rounds with 26 clears to divide the prize fund of €2,000. A Breeder prize of €300 is also awarded in the 6-Year-Old classes, with the Groom prize remaining at €100. Breeder & Groom prizes for the 5- & 6-Year Olds are awarded at random in Legs 1-6 (5YO) and Legs 1-5 (6YO).

The first day of the series ended with a strong 34 entries in the 7-Year-Old class. It was tight at the top, but Paul Beecher took the win on Tim Beecher’s Loughnatousa Buachail (ISH), with just 0.25 of a second between him and second place Eddie Moloney/ Cornascriebe Emerald (ISH). The breeder and groom of the 7 Year Old winner receive prizes of €500 and €100, respectively, out of the €3,480 in the total prize fund.

Loughnatousa Buachail (ISH) and Paul Beecher jump to the top of the League table with a first leg win in Tipperary EC. Photo by Paul Henson jumpinaction.net

Meadows EC Leg 2

The first 2 day show of the series rode out the last weekend in April at Meadows Equestrian Centre for Leg 2.

Entries were strong in the 5-Year-Old class with 78 young horses entering the arena for a chance to jump in the next day’s final. 47 horse and rider combinations jumped clear to gain entry to the final and win a share of the €1,000 prize fund. Day 2 saw an overall 20 Double Clear rounds divide the 2-day leg prize fund of €2,500.

The 6-Year-Old class was just as hot for entries with 80 hopefuls competing in the qualifier round. Though 45 jumped through to day 2, only 18 succeeded with a double clear in the final. Matching the 5 Year Olds, there was an overall prize fund available of €3,900 across the weekend.

The thirty 7-Year-Olds entered to the qualifying day of the leg were beaten fairly by Brian McConville’s Bwe Vain Hero (ISH). However, it was to be Bwe Special Rose (ISH) who eventually took first in the Final on day 2. This meant the Ballyward bred horses took home a fine share of the €5,140 on offer for prizes over the 2 days. Top breeder will receive €500 and top groom will receive €100.

Sixty six 6-Year-Old horses took flight in Galway EC for Leg 3 of the DAFM Studbook Series for Showjumping. Photo by Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Galway EC Leg 3

The May Bank Holiday brought leg 3 with a trip to Galway EC and the second one day show (of four). As with the first two legs, entries were high at 68 and of these 41 jumped clear. Of those who jumped clear, Brendan Murphy now joins Derek McConnell, in a four-way tie, at the top of the league table; each having two horses in joint pole position.

A similar layout stands for the 6-Year-Old league table as Knockahaw Chilli Sam (ISH) / Derek Shaw & BP Gifted (ISH) / Elaine O’Neill tie for league leader after the 3 legs. This was after 26 of the 66 entries went clear on the day.

Finally, the 7-Year-Old action meant young rider Max Foley was victorious with HHS Sir Loui (ISH). He now joins Bwe Special Rose (ISH)/ Shane O’ Reilly and Loughnatousa Buachail (ISH)/ Paul Beecher as joint top trio in the 7-Year-Old League standings.

Max Foley and HHS Sir Loui (ISH) winners of the 7-Year-Old class at Galway EC, presented their prize by Conor Sheridan, Horse Sport Ireland. Photo by Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

All roads now lead to Barnadown Showjumping, Co Wexford, for another 2-day show, Leg 4, and the last leg before a well-earned break to allow the young horses focus on preparation for the RDS qualifiers. Leg 4 takes place 11^th and 12^th of May. Full detail of all League standings can be viewed below.

5-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE TABLE

6-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE TABLE

7-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE TABLE

The DAFM Studbook Series is funded under National Breeding Services by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.