Excellent opening day for Irish in Lanaken

Niamh McEvoy and BP Tiny Dancer (ISH) in action at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken

Irish riders and Irish-bred horses enjoyed a fantastic opening day of the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken.

A host of combinations jumped clear across the five-, six- and seven-year-old classes, with the likes of last year’s winner Ger O’Neill impressing on Ballinaguilkey Specialstar (ISH), as did Niamh McEvoy on 2022 champion BP Goodfellas (ISH).

Mikey Pender and Molly Hughes Bravo were also among the clears, on board the likes of Magdeslane Luidam (ISH) and HHS Mercedes (ISH) and there was also success for Nicholas Connors and Jump The Gun (WSI), representing the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland.

FEI European Jumping Young Rider champion Seamus Hughes Kennedy was another who enjoyed success on day one, jumping clear with Curra Ferro (ISH) in the seven-year-old category.

Curra Ferro and Seamus Hughes Kennedy jumping at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken

Chef d’Equipe Taylor Vard was satisfied with the Irish performances. He said: “They are big tracks in all three classes, but with so many horses they do have to build them strong and technical.

“They are good, fair courses and our horses jumped really well. So hopefully we’ll have a good day tomorrow and onto the finals.

“It’s a brilliant show, with a great atmosphere – it got a bit damp this afternoon, but the Irish are used to that! I love watching Irish horses and riders compete – I’m really looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Sonja Egan PhD, Head of Breeding Innovation and Development, added: “The Irish have a very strong record at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships – I’ve been reminded of that today by many of our European counterparts!

“We’ve had a great day in the first round of competitive qualifiers, which again demonstrates the depth and quality of Irish-bred horses and Irish riders. It’s great to have so many competing across each of the age classes. Congratulations to all breeders, riders, owners, and connections and best of luck tomorrow and into the rest of the week.”

Ballinaguilkey Specialstar and Gerard ONeill at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken

The HSI young horse teams are supported by Bluegrass Horse Feeds and Janni bars.

Irish Studbook participation in the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships for young horses is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Full results can be found at the links below.

5 YO: https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2023/fei-wbfsh-jumping-world-breeding-championship-for-young-horses-lanaken-zangersheide/resultlist_01.html

6 YO: https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2023/fei-wbfsh-jumping-world-breeding-championship-for-young-horses-lanaken-zangersheide/resultlist_02.html

7 YO: https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2023/fei-wbfsh-jumping-world-breeding-championship-for-young-horses-lanaken-zangersheide/resultlist_03.html

Breeding:

5 YO:

Gone Girl VB (ISH)
Mare by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP) out of Bellissimo (ISH), by Cobra (Holst)
Breeder: Eleanor Byrne, Co. Kilkenny
Owner: LMG Enterprises
Rider: Vincent Byrne (IRL)

OKE Dixieland Rock (ISH)
Mare by Elvis Ter Putte (BWP) out of Arona (KWPN), by Cobra (Holst)
Breeder and owner: Martina McCrory, Co. Tyrone
Rider: Brendan Murphy (IRL)

Madgeslane Luidam (ISH)
Stallion by Luidam (KWPN) out Madges Lane Karol (ISH), by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD)
Breeder and owner: Michael Pender, Co. Kildare. Rider: Mikey Pender (IRL)

Ballinaguilkey Special Star (ISH)
Gelding by Big Star (KWPN) out of Cavalier Milly (ISH), by Ramiro B (BWP).
Breeder: John and Barbara Walsh, Co. Carlow
Owner: KM Sporthorses
Rider: Ger O’Neill (IRL)

Ballyshan B F Super Hero (ISH)
Gelding by Celtic Hero B Z (Zang) out of Ballyshan Luximportant (ISH), by Lux Z (Hann)
Breeder: Gary Doherty, Co. Donegal
Owner: Martin Egan
Rider: Ger O’Neill (IRL)

Jump The Gun (WSI)
Gelding by I’m Special De Muze (BWP) out Just Jump (ISH), by Master Imp (TB)
Breeder and owner: Ann Connors, Co. Waterford
Ridden by Nicholas Connors (IRL)

6 YO:

Laurina (ISH)
Mare by Stakkato Gold (Hann) out of Rincarina (ISH)[TIH], by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]
Breeder and owner: Dr. Noel Cawley, Co. Kildare
Rider: Leah Stack (IRL)

BP Tiny Dancer (ISH)
Mare by Plot Blue (KWPN) out of Uptown Girl (SPH), by Concorde (KWPN).
Breeder and owned: GBBS International Ltd.
Rider: Niamh McEvoy (IRL)

Mondavi (ISH)
Mare by Tyson (KWPN) out of You Two Delilia (ISH), by Warrenstown You 2 (ISH)
Breeder: Ronan Tynan, Co. Kilkenny
Owner: Marguerite Ryan
Rider: Jack Ryan (IRL)

HHS Mercedes (ISH)
Mare by Can Ya Makan (Holst) out of Chester Lass (ISH), by Couletto (OLD).
Breeder and owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd., Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Molly Hughes-Bravo (POR)

BP Goodfellas (ISH)
Gelding By Stakkato Gold (Hann) out of Goodwins Loyalty (ISH), by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD)
Breeder: Kevin Babington & GBBS Int. Ltd.

Owner: GBBS International Ltd.
Rider: Niamh McEvoy (IRL).

ESI Lucius (ISH)
Stallion by Cardento (Holst) out of Triest Star (KWPN), by Cavalier (KWPN)
Breeder and owner: Ennisnag Stud, Co. Kilkenny
Rider: Harry Wood (GBR)

Silverteal Indigo (WSI)
Mare by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP) out of Dunroe Rafi (ISH) by Lux Z (Hann).
Breeder: Paschal McCarthy, Co. Cork
Owner: GRS Bloodstock Ltd & Simon McCarthy
Rider: Patrick Hickey (IRL)

HHS Ice Flo (ISH)
2017, Mare by Iceman De Muze (BWP) out of HHS Go With The Flo (ISH) by Cyrano 145 (HOLST).
Breeder: Kevin Meagher, Co. Tipperary.
Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd.
Rider: Mikey Pender (IRL).

7 YO:

DSH Lucky Junior (ISH)
Gelding by BBS McGregor (ISH) out of Dahlyi (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN)
Breeder: Seamus Drea
Owner: Seamus Drea
Rider: Georgia Tame (GBR)

LVS Goldrush H (ISH)
Gelding by Stakkato Gold (Hann) out of Arcadia LVS Z (Zang), by Arko III (OLD)
Breeder: Heritage Bloodstock Ltd., Co. Tipperary
Owner: Dermot Walsh
Rider: Ethen Ahearne (IRL)

HHS Tokyo (ISH)
Gelding by Z7 Ascot (ISH) out of HHS Fortune (ISH), by Catoki (Holst)
Breeder and owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd., Co. Kilkenny.
Rider: Molly Hughes-Bravo (POR).

Curra Ferro (ISH)
Gelding by S Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe (KWPN) out of Creevagh Jane (ID), by Mount Diamond Flag (IDC1)
Breeder: Ronnie Hollinger, Co. Monaghan
Owner: Ciara Kearney and Seamus Hughes-Kennedy
Rider: Seamus Hughes-Kennedy (IRL)

HHS Cyprus (ISH)
Gelding by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of HHS Acorado (ISH), by Acorado (Holst)
Breeder: Marion Hughes, Co. Kilkenny
Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd.
Rider: Mikey Pender (IRL)