Foal Championship 2024: Qualifiers conclude in Cork

The concluding qualifier for the 2024 Foal Championship took place in Maryville Stables, Co Cork on Tuesday 24th September. There were 24 entries in total; 7 fillies and 17 colts. Of these 24 entries, 9 took part in the Pony sections of Pony Eventing (7) and Pony Showjumping (3), and 15 took part in the horse sections, Horse Eventing (10) and Horse Eventing (5). There were no TIH foals entered for this qualifier. Full results can be read below.  On judging duty for the day was Michael Hutchinson and Maurice Coleman.

The Foal Championship aims to identify, evaluate, and reward breeders who have bred a foal that has the potential to be competitive at the highest level in the disciplines of Show Jumping or Eventing. This fantastic initiative is funded under National Breeding Services, by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland.

All qualified pairings now move forward to the 2024 Foal Championship Final in Emerald Equestrian Centre, Co Kildare on the 24th October. Emerald will also play host to the Loose Jumping final. Further detail will be available on the final shortly and all spectators are welcome.

Pony Eventing

The winner of the first category of the day was Michael O’Sullivan and his colt foal by Fast & Furious Second Life Z (ZANG), out of Ballyvee Belle (ISP) damsire Cyklon Texas (PZHK). Judges were impressed with this ‘lovely, correct, balanced & easy moving blood foal’.

Pony Eventing winner Michael O’Sullivan with his colt foal by Fast & Furious Second Life Z (ZANG), and judge Maurice Coleman

Pony Showjumping

The second pony category was pony showjumping. The winner here was Ballymacho BD (ISP), bred by Madelaine Gervais. The colt foal is by Ennissnag Stud’s Mendoza VDL (KWPN), out of Ballydavid Out of the Mist (CP), who’s damsire is Templebready Fear Bui (CP). Judges complimented this ‘nice, quality type’ foal.

Pony Showjumping winner Ballymacho BD (ISP) at the final qualifier of the 2024 FoaL Championship at Maryville Stables

Horse Eventing

The horse foal categories began just after 1pm. The winner of the Horse Eventing foal was Fenyas Jasper (ISH), by Rosedale Casper (CP), out of the top eventing mare Fenyas Elegance (ISH), damsire Ricardo Z (ZANG). Judges praised the colt foal’s ‘very correct conformation’. Owned and bred by PJ Hegarty, Fenyas Jasper (ISH) will now join the rest of the Horse Eventing qualified foals for the final in late October.

Horse Eventing foal winner-

Horse Showjumping

Eileen Furlong was the final winner to qualify for the day with her colt foal Thistletown Zorro (ISH). By Z7 Ascot (ZANG), out of Bonnie (AES), damsire Floxglen Cruise Control (AES)- judges were impressed with this ‘nice showjumping type’ foal.

Horse Showjumping winner- Eileen Furlong bags the final qualifier spot for the 2024 final.

Well done to all competitors throughout the course of the 2024 Foal Championship qualifiers and congratulations and good luck to all qualified foals for the final!