The FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships ended today with three medals for Irish riders across the three age categories.
The Irish riders were well represented across all ages in the finals today in Lanaken, Belgium following two days of qualifiers on Thursday and Friday.
Thirty-eight five-years-old horses jumped double clear on the qualifying days to secure their place in the final, while the forty-two of the highest ranked six and seven-year-olds booked their place in the finals.
Five-Year-Olds
For the first time, the second round of the five-year-old final was judged on optimum time, making it a new challenge for riders to navigate while also leaving the fences standing.
The time for the second round was 54 seconds with the final line facing away from screens and the pocket. Ireland was represented by nine Irish combinations in the five-year-old final while six Irish riders and four Irish Sport Horses finished in the top thirteen.
Coen Williams and GLC Mr President (ISH) had an early draw and stopped the clock 0.18sec off the optimum time, it seemed impossible to beat until Irish European Championship Pony team member Sam Widger and Vintage Van De Heyveldhoeve (BWP) completed just 0.14 seconds off the optimum time to push Williams into Silver Medal. Completing the podium was Belgian rider Rik Nauta riding Vazan Van Strijtem (BWP).
Fourth place went to Niamh McEvoy riding the Irish Sport Horse BP Bob Rock (ISH) with Conan Wright and Rafinity (KWPN) in seventh. Eddie Moloney on Soco Flex (ISH) and Michael Pender riding HHS Lugano also completed the first round clear and finished in twelfth and thirteenth place consecutively. Gemma Phelan riding ABC Mayflower (ISH), Emma O’Dwyer riding Louxor du Feu (SBS) and Conan Wright riding Elfhaban Van Beek Z (ZANG) were unlucky not to progress to the second round with one pole down each.
Six-Year-Olds
Thirteen Irish riders qualified for the six-year-old final following the two qualifying days with seven Irish riders and two Irish Sport Horses progressing to the jump off after jumping clear in the first round. Niamh McEvoy and Easy Peasy Indebus Z (ZANG) produced a blistering quick time to take the title as the 2026 six-year-old World Champions. Silver medal went to Angelique Bockmann (GER) and the stallion Django Z (WESTF) while Emeric George (FRA) and Kelstar Derick (SF) filled the podium in Bronze. Five-year-old champion Sam Widger produced another double clear, this time riding the Irish Sport Horse mare BP Wishes (ISH) to finish just off the podium in fourth. Jenny Rankin and Kassie Devine Z (ZANG) also produced a double clear finishing fifth.
Other combinations clear in the first round were Kian Dore and Olga d’Ecaussinnes (SBS) (9th), Rhys Williams and Codex Girl Van Twelve Oaks Z (ZANG) (13th), Michael Pender and Cafe vd Berghoeve Z (ZANG) (16th) and Emily Moloney and Ukina (BWP) (19th). Harry Wood (GBR) and the Irish Sport Horse MHS Mix De Blues (ISH) finished 15th.
Seven-Year-Olds
Six Irish riders and four Irish Sport Horses qualified for the seven-year-old final however it wasn’t to be for our Irish riders who all faulted in the first round. The Irish Sport Horse mare Galwaybay Esmerelda kept the dream alive when jumping clear in the first round with Great Britains Jude Burgess. They continued their good form with a clear in the jump off but just missed the podium finishing in fourth.
Commenting on the Irish performance, the young horse showjumping team manager Taylor Vard said: “It is a massive achievement to come to these championships and to have horses in top form to compete consistently over the course of the week. Securing qualifying places is extremely difficult with over two hundred competitors in each of the five and seven-year-old sections and over two hundred and fifty in the six-year-old qualifiers. Both the six- and seven-year-old qualifiers required strong performances each day with the combined scores over the two days deciding the top forty horses to qualify for the finals, while the five years olds had to jump a clear round both days to secure their place.
“Congratulations to all our medal winning riders, to Sam and Coen for their gold and silver in the five-year-olds, and to Niamh for her gold in the six-year-olds. We had strong performances that didn’t make the medals, we hope to see them back next year. I’m looking forward to seeing all the five and six-year-olds develop over the winter as we put plans together for 2027.
“Thank you to everyone who attended the show and offered supports where they could. We had a great team on the ground and there was great team spirit throughout the week.
“Thank you to Aisling McGreal and all the staff in Horse Sport Ireland that have given me full support throughout the year.“
Participation at the FEI WBFSH Showjumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Lanaken is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.
Breeding:
ABC Mayflower (ISH): 2021 mare by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve (BWP) out of Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser (ISH)(TIH), by Cruising (ISH)(TIH). Bred by Patrick Kehoe, Co. Carlow, and owned by Gerald Burke. Ridden by Gemma Phelan (IRL)
BP Bob Rock (ISH): 2021 gelding by Rock ‘N Roll Ter Putte (BWP) out of Arraghbeg Clover (ISH), by Captain Clover (ISH)(TIH). Bred by GBBS International Ltd, Co. Tipperary, and owned by Keith Ennis. Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL)
GLC Mr President (ISH): 2021 gelding by Conthargos (OLD) out of Mullentine Good Friday (ISH), by Untouchable 27 (KWPN). Bred and owned by Garreth Cassidy, Co. Derry. Ridden by Coen Williams (IRL)
HHS Lugano (ISH): 2021 gelding by Lucky Luck (KWPN) out of MHS Twenty (ISH), by Vigaro (KWPN). Bred and owned Bravo by Hughes Ltd, Co. Kilkenny. Ridden by Michael Pender (IRL)
Soco Flex (ISH): 2021 gelding by SHS Soco Blue (HOLST) out of Flexamarenca (ISH), by Flex a Bill (ISH)(TIH). Bred and owned by Eddie Moloney, Co. Kilkenny. Ridden by Eddie Moloney (IRL)
BP Wishes (ISH): 2020 mare by Aganix Du Seigneur Z (SBS) out of BP Masterpiece (ISH), by Cruising (ISH)(TIH). Bred and Owned by GBBS International, county Tipperary.Ridden by Sam Widger (IRL)
MHS Mix de Blues (ISH): 2020 gelding by Aganix Du Seigneur Z (SBS) out of MHS September Song (ISH), by Plot Blue (KWPN). Bred by Michael & Sinead Brennan, Co. Kildare and owned by Matt Calderwood & Gbbs Int. Ridden by Harry Wood (GBR)
Galwaybay Esmerelda (ISH): 2019 mare by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP) out of Galwaybay Winebreaker (ISH), by Winebreaker S (KWPN). Bred by Justin Burke, Co. Galway. Ridden by Jude Burgess (GBR)