Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Foal Championship

Horse Sport Ireland were delighted to host the 2021 Foal Championship in Cavan Equestrian Centre on the 19th of October. This Championship comes at the culmination of six regional qualifiers nationwide and boasts the best of Sport Horse and Sport Pony breeding in Ireland. Horse Sport Ireland awarded over €30,000 across the five categories to the best foals presented over the course of the championship.

Six competitors were presented in the following four categories: Pony Show Jumping Foal, Pony Eventing Foal, Horse Show Jumping Foal and Horse Eventing Foal. The top five traditionally bred foals across the competition were judged and presented with the top Traditionally bred foal for 2021.

Horse Sport Ireland were delighted to be joined by an expert judging panel across each category. Gabriel Tunney and Norman Allen assessed the athleticism and potential aptitude of the Show Jumping foals. Eventing foals were judged under the expert eyes of Nicola Ennis and Nicky Roncoroni, who commended the proven dam line breeding. The traditional bred foals were judged by both Philip Scott and Nicola Ennis, who both applauded the quality foals presented.

The HSI 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. Horse Sport Ireland would like to extend their congratulations to all competitors on their success throughout the competition and to the breeders and owners of the 2021 Champion foals.

Horse Show Jumping Foals

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Show Jumping Foal Champion was Michael & Sinead Brennan’s colt by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of Gowran Lady (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

Judges Comment:

“The dam line performance of this colt had a fantastic score, which really translated into this foal as an individual. This a quality colt with a lot of presence and a very good canter; on strike off he pushed uphill and had super balance! Lovely blood, athletic foal”

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Show Jumping Foal Reserve Champion was Lilly Walsh’s colt by Eldorado Van De Zeshoek (BWP) out of Kissable W (KWPN) by Berlin (KWPN). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

Horse Eventing & Traditional Foals

The Eventing and Traditional foal sections were judged separately, however judges were unanimous in their scoring of the top event and traditional foals. Hence the Champion and Reserve Champion of the Eventing section were both traditionally bred foals.

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Eventing & Traditional Foal Champion was Siobhán Carroll’s colt by Murka’s Gem Clone of Gem Twist (TB) out of Cherrymount Capachino (ISH)(TIH) by Sinatra (IRE)(TB). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

Judges Comment:

“This foal had great presence and super conformation; he is very well put together and a lovely mover. He is an eventer of the future; we would love to see him out! It is great to see breeding from mares proven in the sport of eventing and this is well evidenced in the event foals here today.”

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Eventing & Traditional Foal Reserve Champion was Ciara Kinsella’s filly by Sir Jim Jim (ISH)(TIH) out of Ballymurphy Queen (ISH)(TIH) by Master Imp (TB). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

Pony Show Jumping Foals

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Show Jumping Foal Champion was Jackie Hockley’s Carnakilly Fairytale, a filly foal by Echonix (ISH) out of Classiebawn Head Lass (CP) by Jack’s Promise (CP). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

Judges Comment:

“A blood type foal with good conformation who was very light on her feet; you couldn’t hear her cover the ground. She’s the type you’d love to own. We’d be disappointed if she did not go on to jump!”

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Show Jumping Foal Reserve Champion was Patrick Cafferty’s Mo Chara Nua, a colt foal by Pumpkin Pondi (CP) out of Zuly (CP) by I Love you Melody (CP). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

Pony Eventing Foals

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Eventing Foal Champion was Emily-Kate Robinson’s In A Tizzy, a filly by Alvaro Van Pachern (AWO) out of Tisrara Hill (ISH) by Moores Clover (ISH). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

Judges Comment:

“This filly was the overall package, good conformation, fabulous attitude and scored highly in all paces. We are unanimous in wanting a spin when she’s older! Great to see a proven mare produce a lovely filly.”

Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Eventing Foal Reserve Champion was Helen Troughton’s Silken Niamh, a filly by Masurenfuerst (Trak) out of Honeyhill Lady (CP) by Robe Earl (CP). (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)