IRISH STUDBOOKS TEAM OFF TO A STELLAR START AT MONDIAL DU LION
- 18 October 2024, 17:40
The Irish Studbook team are off to a stellar start at this week’s Mondial du lion WBFSH young horse eventing championships in France, taking place from the 17th – 20th October.
The 6-year-old dressage began this morning at 9am French time, where Robbie Kearns (IRL) piloted Richard Ames’ Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH) through an excellent test, leaving the combination sitting in 7th position ahead of tomorrow’s cross country. The grey mare is the leading 6-year-old Irish studbooks team horse, where the combination secured a score of 7 or more across the three judges in 10 of the 20 required test movements, ending on 70.91%.

Robbie Kearns (IRL) and Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH) at the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Le Lion (6 year old) Image: Irish Eventing Times
The 7-year-old section kicked off at 1pm today where Austin O’ Connor and Diamond Mistress (ISH) led the Irish studbooks team for much of the day finishing on 69.71%. Later in the afternoon the Martin Walsh bred Shannondale Micah (ISH), ridden by Cathal Daniels (IRL) broke 70%, finishing day one on 70.15% and in 12th place. See below for list of Irish Studbooks team horses ranked in the top 20 of the 6- and 7-year-old sections after dressage.
The 6-year-old cross country section begins on Saturday (19th October) at 10am local time, 7 year olds at 1:00pm local time. The 6-year-old show jumping section begins on Sunday (20th October) at 11am local time, 7-year-olds at 2:30pm local time. Irish Studbook team performance can be livestreamed HERE.

Shannondale Micah (ISH), ridden by Cathal Daniels (IRL) at the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Le Lion (7 year old) Image: Irish Eventing Times
The leading 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse is Barrington Boy, ridden by Izzy Taylor (GBR), currently occupying 5th position. The leading 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse is Calida Spice, ridden by Lizzie Baugh (GBR) in 1st position.
Irish Studbooks team after dressage (6-year-olds)
7th Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH). Mare by Grafenstolz (TRAK) out of Karmyn (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN). Bred by Johnston Brodie, Co. Wexford, owned by Richard Ames and ridden by Robbie Kearns (IRL)
18th Kief Rhapsody of Belline (ISH): Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Lissangle Lux The Business (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Bred by Kieran Fahey, Co. Cork, owned by Jenny Curley and ridden by Noel Dunne (IRL)
Irish Studbooks team after dressage (7-year-olds)
12th Shannondale Micah (ISH). Gelding by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BWP) out of Shannondale Maria (ISH), by Lux Z (HANN). Bred by Martin Walsh, Co. Clare, owned by Dr. Sarah Hughes and ridden by Cathal Daniels (IRL).
14th Diamond Mistress (ISH). Mare by Diarado (HOLST) out of She’s My Master (ISH), by Master Imp (TB). Bred and owned by Kate Jarvey, Co. Cork and ridden by Austin O’Connor (IRL).
18th Inquisitor (ISH)[TIH]. Gelding by Coroner (TB) out of Diamond Fleck (ISH)[TIH], by Coolcorron Cool Diamond (ISH)[TIH]. Bred and owned by Bridget McGing, Co. Kildare and ridden by Ian Cassells (IRL)
The Irish studbooks team participation in Le Lion D’Angers is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine under National Breeding Services.
The Team Ireland Equestrian Young Horse Squads for Jumping and Eventing are supported by Redmond Property Maintenance.
BREEDING
Barrington Boy (ISH). Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Watermill Diamond (ISH)[TIH] by Watermill Swatch (TB). Bred by Mary Walsh, Co. Mayo and ridden by Izzy Taylor (GBR).
Calida Spice (ISH). Mare by Tyson (KWPN) out of Red Diamond Spice (ID) by Kind Henry (ID).
Bred by Eugene Killalea, Co. Mayo and ridden by Lizzie Baugh (GBR).
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