Foal Championship 2023 – Qualifier Tubberbride EC 11th October

All roads lead to the 2023 HSI Foal Championship final after the ultimate qualifier was held today, 11th October, in Tubberbride Equestrian, Co Sligo.

With 37 entries across the five categories of Pony Eventing Foal, Pony Show Jumping Foal, Horse Eventing Foal and Horse Show Jumping Foal, and a Traditional Irish Horse Foal, judges Philip Scott and Damien Griffen had the first foal in the arena at 12pm.

The winners of each category today will now go forward to the final, held in CoilÓg EC Co Kildare on the Wednesday 25th October.

Pony Eventing saw the first win of the day go to Marjorie Hardiman and her HSF Lucky Boy (ISP) colt foal. Creganna Smarty Pants (ISP) is out of Creganna Gypsy O (ISH) who is by Road to Happiness (TB). The Pony Eventing category saw five foals contest for their place in the final.

Judges Philip Scott and Damien Griffen pictured with Pony Eventing winner Marjorie Hardiman and her winning foal by HSF Lucky Boy (ISP), out of Creganna Gypsy O (ISH) damsire Road to Happiness (TB)

Reserve in the Pony Eventing was awarded to Sharon Walsh and her colt foal by Pumpkins Pondi (CP), out of Lucy (CP) damsire Westside Mirah (CP).

Pineview Pondi (CP) colt foal by Pumpkins Pondi (CP), out of Lucy (CP) damsire Westside Mirah (CP). Bred and owned by Sharon Walsh

Nine out of the 14 pony foal competitors took part in the Pony Show Jumping category. Marian Judge claimed victory, and place in the final, for this category. The colt foal, by Hans (KWPN), is out of Waterglades Gemini (WPB) damsire Village Lad (LHI).

Marian Judge and her colt foal by Hans (KWPN) out of Waterglades Gemini (WPB) damsire Village Lad (LHI)

Jackie Hockley’s Connemara Pony filly foal took reserve in this section. Carnakilly Juliette (CP) by Blackwoodland Rock (CP), out of Classiebawn Head Lass damsire Jacks Promise (CP).

Reserve Pony Showjumping foal Carnakilly Juliette (CP) by Blackwoodland Rock (CP), out of Classiebawn Head Lass damsire Jacks Promise (CP)

Pony Foal sections concluded at 1.30pm and after a short break Michael Hanley entered the ring and left an impression with the judges as his colt foal won the Horse Eventing foal category. Michael’s colt foal (ISH) is by Avos Jordan Z (ZANG), out of Rathlee Candy Lady (ISH) damsire Sligo Candy Boy (ISH).

Winner of the Horse Eventing Foal section was No. 15 Michael Hanley with his colt foal (Avos Jordan Z (ZANG), Rathlee Candy Lady (ISH), Sligo Candy Boy (ISH)

Horse Eventing reserve was No. 24 on the start list, the filly foal by Another Pleasure (KWPN), out of Nautilus Vivendi (ISH) damsire ARS Vivendi (HOLST).

Oliver Higgins presented with reserve in the Horse Eventing category. The filly foal by Another Pleasure (KWPN), out of Nautilus Vivendi (ISH) damsire ARS Vivendi (HOLST).

Within the Horse category, Traditional foals were awarded winner and reserve, with the winner earning a place in the final on 25th October.

There were three Traditionally-bred foals entered across the Horse Eventing and Show Jumping category. Winner of the Traditional Horse foal category was Carrabeg Spirit (ISH), a colt foal by Carrabeg The Full Irish (ISH), out of Rakish Diamonds (ISH) damsire Rakish Paddy (ID).

Carrabeg Spirit (ISH) by Carrabeg the Full Irish (ISH) out of Rakish Diamonds (ISH) damsire Rakish Paddy (ID)

Reserve Traditional foal went to Darragh Glynn’s colt foal by Elusive Emir (TB), out of Marys Lady (ISH), damsire Aughrim Knight (ISH).

The qualifier drew its conclusion with Horse Show Jumping foals being the last to be seen by the judges in the arena. Winner in this final section was No.34 Ciaran Ward and his filly foal by Another Pleasure (KWPN), out of Donogue Cavalier Girl (ISH), damsire Cavalier Royale (HOLST).

Ciaran Ward’s Pleasure for Sure (ISH), a filly foal by Another Pleasure (KWPN), out of Donogue Cavalier Girl (ISH) damsire Cavalier Royale (HOLST) won the Horse Showjumping section

Declan McGarry and his filly foal by Faltic HB (KWPN) took the final reserve prize for the day. The foal is out of Carrow Pacino (ISH) who is by Pacino (BWP).

No 28 filly owned by Declan McGarry by Faltic HB (KWPN), out of Carrow Pacino (ISH) damsire Pacino (BWP)

All winners of their respective sections from today will join previously-qualified foals and partake in the final of this years Foal Championship in CoilÓg EC on 25th October.

Start times will be released on the Horse Sport Ireland website and social media once finalised. Congratulations and well done to all who took part in this year’s qualifiers, and the very best of luck to all our foals joining us at the final.

For more information on the 2023 HSI Foal Championship, please CLICK HERE

Horse Sport Ireland would like to thank the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine for their support of the Foal Championship 2023 under National Breeding Services.