Historic success for the Horse Sport Ireland Studbook Team in Lanaken

Lucy Hickey, Denis Hickey, Patrick Hickey, William Hickey and Taylor Vard after Silverteal Indigo’s (WSI) success

Irish eyes continued to smile at Day 3 of the FEI/WBFSH World Showjumping Championships for Young Horses where members of the Horse Sport Ireland Young Horse Squad were in action in the Consolation Finals in both the Five-Year-Old and Six-Year-Old divisions.

In the Five-Year-Old class, Waterford’s Nicholas Connors rode a superb round when clear in a time of 61.65 seconds to go into the lead on the home bred, Jump The Gun (WSI).

There he remained until Britain’s Georgia Wells and Obolensky’s Dollar Girl (AES) pipped them at the post when clear in a time of 60.59 for the Anglo European Studbook.

Jump The Gun (WSI) is out of the mare Justjump (ISH) by the thoroughbred stallion Master Imp (TB). Justjump (ISH) competed at 1.35m for Nicholas, and in 1.30m Young Rider classes for his sister Laura where they took victory in the 2015 1.30m Young Riders Championship at the RDS Dublin Horse Show.

This marked the first occasion a representative of the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland took a podium spot at the Young Horse Championship in Lanaken, Belgium but not the only time, as Co. Wexford’s Patrick Hickey and Silverteal Indigo (WSI) shared the runner-up position when finishing clear in a time of 61.86 along with Dutch rider Hessel Hoekstra and the Oldenburg stallion Stargos VDL (OLD).

Silverteal Indigo, with Patrick Hickey on board, jumping to a podium finish in Lanaken. Pic: Sportfot

The dam of Silverteal Indigo (WSI), Dunroe Rafi (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN) was competed in Young Rider classes by Simon McCarthy for his father Paschal, who bred Silverteal Indigo (WSI).

Dunroe Rafi (ISH) is now owned in partnership Garyrichard Stud and is in foal to Casago II (Holst), who is fully approved stallion in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook and stands with William and Patrick Hickey in the Co. Wexford based Garyrichard Stud.

Britain’s Emma Stoker took fourth place in the Six-Year-Old Consolation Final with the Irish Sport Horse mare Comme Ci Comme Ca (ISH) by Comme Il Faut, out of the mare Evenda (KWPN) by Diarado (HOLST).

Jump The Gun, with Nicholas Connors up, jumping to a podium finish in Lanaken. Pic: Sportfot

Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development commented: “I wish to extend my congratulations to Patrick Hickey, Nicholas Connors, the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland; Jump the Gun’s (WSI) breeder, Ann Connors who was here today; Silverteal Indigo’s (WSI) breeder Pascal McCarthy and all other connections on today’s historic achievements.

“Undoubtedly both combinations were unlucky to have one pole in either qualifier with super clear rounds in the final, demonstrating their speed and ability over strong, technical 5- and 6-year-old tracks. It was great to be joined by both Nicholas and Patrick’s family today to celebrate their success, I’m certain that there will be more in future!”

Start lists confirming who will be competing in tomorrow’s grand final will be available this evening at this link:
https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2023/fei-wbfsh-jumping-world-breeding-championship-for-young-horses-lanaken-zangersheide

The 2023 Horse Sport Ireland Young Horse Squads are kindly supported by Bluegrass Horse Feed and Janni Bars.

Taylor Vard, breeder Ann Connors, Nick Connors, Laura Connors & Aoife Boland with Jump The Gun (WSI)

Participation at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, Belgium is thanks to the support of the Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine.

Breeding:

Jump The Gun (WSI)
2018, 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)

Silverteal Indigo (WSI)
2017, Mare by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP) out of Dunroe Rafi (ISH) by Lux Z (Hann).
Breeder: Paschal McCarthy, Co. Cork
Owner: Simon McCarthy
Rider: Patrick Hickey (IRL)

Comme Ci Comme Ca (ISH)
2017, Mare by Comme Il Faut (WESTF), out of Evenda (KWPN) by Diarado (HOLST).
Breeder: Ken Rehill, c/o The Stallion Company, CO. Meath.
Owner: Kerry Dodimead.
Rider: Emma Stoker (GBR)