HSI Foal Championship Qualifier at Kernans EC 20th September

The second qualifier of four, of the Horse Sport Ireland Foal Championship, was held yesterday, Wednesday 20th September, at Kernans Equestrian Centre in Armagh. With 27 entries across the 4 categories of Pony Eventing Foal, Pony Show Jumping Foal, Horse Eventing Foal and Horse Show-jumping Foal, it was a full house for the afternoon.

Jack Doyle and Emily MacMahon were on the judging duty for the afternoon. The competition started at 12pm with the Pony Show-jumping Foal being the first category to enter the arena. The afternoon ended with the Horse Eventing winner. The winners of each category will now go in to compete in the Final of the Foal Championship on the 25^th October in CoilÓg Equestrian Centre.The aim of the Foal Championship is to identify, evaluate and reward breeders who have bred a foal that has the potential to be competitive at the highest international level in the disciplines of showjumping or eventing.

Winner of the Pony Show-jumping category went to Diane Weatherup’s Colt foal Ballywildrick Mirah’s Legacy (CP). This foal is by Westide Mirah II (CP) , out of Ballywildrick Sylvia (CP) by Dark Edition (CP). Ballywildrick Mirah’s Legacy (CP) now goes forward to the Foal Championship final.

Winner of the Pony Show Jumping section Ballywildrick Mirah’s Legacy (CP) by Westide Mirah II (CP), out of Ballywildrick Sylvia (CP), damsire Dark Edition (CP)

Runner up in this category was Barryroe Prince Smokey (LHI) who is a colt foal by Hilin Oriole (WRP), out of Smokey Legend (IRP) damsire Muskerry Blue Smoke (WP), bred and owned by Jerry Moloney.

Barryroe Prince Smokey (LHI) by Hilin Oriole (WRP), out of Smokey Legend (IRP) damsire Muskerry Blue Smoke (WP)

Pony Eventing followed the showjumpers and Jerry Moloney continued his successful day, winning this category with his filly foal Barryroe Princess Ceremony (LHI). Barryroe Princess Ceremony (LHI) is by Orielton Top Secret (WPB), out of Dowhills Ceremony (BRP) who is by Whalton Highwayman (BRP).

Winner of the Pony Eventing category Barryroe Princess Ceremony (LHI) who is by Orielton Top Secret (WPB), out of Dowhills Ceremony (BRP) damsire Whalton Highwayman (BRP).

Reserve in this category went to Sharon Walsh’s Pineview Royal Rossini (ISP). Sharon’s bay colt foal is by Stanley Grange Regal Heights (BRP), out of WDF Rossini (SPSS) damsire Rembrandt DDH (OS).

Pony Eventing Foal reserve by Stanley Grange Regal Heights (BRP), out of WDF Rossini (SPSS) damsire Rembrandt DDH (OS)

The Horse Foal categories begin shortly after 1pm, with Horse Show-jumping Foal being the first category to be viewed by the judges. Samantha Fegan had great success in this section with her two filly foals taking winner and reserve in a tightly scored category. Winner here was no 15 on the start-list- Berkleys Niamey (ISH) by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve (BWP), out of Niker (SI) and by Baedeker (SI)

Berkleys Niamey (ISH) by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve (BWP), out of Niker (SI) and by Baedeker (SI)

Samatha Fegan’s reserve foal was Berkleys Gustavia (ISH), by Conthargos (OLD), out of Berkleys Girleen (ISH) by Quick Star (SF).

Berkleys Gustavia (ISH) by Conthargos (OLD), out of Berkleys Girleen (ISH) who’s damsire is Quick Star (SF), reserve in the Horse Show Jumping Foal section.

The final category of the Kernans qualifier was Horse Eventing Foal. The traditionally bred winners were also crowned in this category. Winner of the Horse Eventing Foal, and going forward to the final in CoilÓG EC on the 25th of October, was Mark Mayne’s colt foal (ISH) by Alicante (HOLST), out of Junderstand (TB) damsire Champ Elysees (TB).

Winner of the Horse Eventing section by Alicante (HOLST), out of Junderstand (TB) damsire Champ Elysees (TB)

Reserve in the Horse Eventing section AND winner of the Traditional Horse Foal section was Maria Melvin’s Glenkeeran Dance with Time (ISH) who is by Crosstown Dancer (ID), out of Desert Moon (TB) damsire Desert King (TB). Glenkeeran Dance with Time (ISH) will go forward to the CoilÓg final under the Traditional Horse Foal category.

Winner of the Traditional Horse Foal section and Eventing foal reserve, Glenkeeran Dance with Time (ISH) who is by Crosstown Dancer (ID), out of Desert Moon (TB) damsire Desert King (TB)

Reserve in the Traditional Horse Foal section went to Adam Gibson’s Rosier (TB) filly foal, Foxmore Imperial Rose (ISH). Foxmore Imperial Rose (ISH) is by Rosier (TB), out of Mullentine Irish Queen (ISH)[TIH] damsire Master Imp (TB).

Reserve in the Traditional Horse Foal category was Foxmore Imperial Rose (ISH) is by Rosier (TB), out of Mullentine Irish Queen (ISH)[TIH] damsire Master Imp (TB), owned and bred by Adam Gibson

The final two qualifiers will take place in Wexford EC, Co Wexford, 3rd October, and Tubberbride EC, Co Sligo, 11^th October.  You can enter HERE now.

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.