Michael Pender off to a flyer in HSI Studbook Series opener

The combination of Michael Pender and the Hughes Horse Stud got off to the best possible start in the HSI Studbook Series at the Meadows Equestrian Centre last weekend.

The series, which was launched by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. on Friday and is worth €80,000 in prizemoney, kicked off in Lurgan with Saturday’s qualifying rounds.

For the first time, the competition is open to all DAFM-approved studbooks, but it was Irish Sport Horses that dominated proceedings.

Pender was imperious in the seven-year-old final as he finished first and second on Bravo Hughes Ltd-owned and bred duo HHS Calgary (ISH) and HHS Cornetta (ISH).

With 10 of 23 entering the jump-off, Pender had seventh tenths of a second to spare on HHS Calgary (ISH), who finished ahead of HHS Cornetta (ISH) in a time of 33.14 seconds.

Derek McConnell finished third on Inlaws Manolo (ISH), owned by Sorcha Hennessy and bred by Thomas Hester, finishing less than two seconds in arrears with a time of 35.29 seconds.

Marta and Molly Hughes Bravo, daughters of Irish Olympian Marion Hughes, showed they have bright futures in the saddle as they both finished with double-clear rounds in the five-year-old and six-year-old finals.

Marta Hughes Bravo and GCS Rosie (ISH) impressed with a clear round in Saturday’s qualifier before a double clear in Sunday’s five-year-old final. In total, 11 jumped double clear to share first place.

Among them were Carl Webb and another Bravo Hughes Ltd-owned five-year-old, HHS Ice Flo (ISH), with Brendan Murphy on ABS Misty (ISH), owned and bred by Sean Mulkern, also going clear twice on Sunday.

In the six-year-old final, Marta’s sister Molly was among six to go double clear on HHS India (ISH), and also on HHS Savannah (ISH). Charlotte Harding and RJC Second Bet (ISH), owned and bred by Rachelle Harding, caught the eye with two excellent rounds of jumping.

Webb was in the mix again, this time on HHS Tokyo (ISH) while Oliver Glancy, on Clonterm Obolensky (ISH), who was bred by Brian Duff, and Michael Roche on Rocky Blue (ISH) were the others to go double clear in the final.

Michael Pender and HHS Calgary after winning in the HSI Studbook Series at The Meadows

RESULTS:

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD FINAL:

1^st HHS Calgary (ISH) – Gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of La Juanita (ISH) by Don Juan De La Bouverie (SBS). Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender. Breeder: Marion Hughes.

2^nd HHS Cornetta (ISH) – Mare by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of HHS Acorado (ISH) by Acorado (HOLST). Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender. Breeder: Marion Hughes.

3^rd Inlaws Manolo (ISH) – Gelding by Corland (HOLST) out of Helena de la Vie (BWP) by Lord Z (HOLST). Owner: Sorcha Hennessy. Rider: Derek McConnell. Breeder: Tomas Hester.

4^th Heritage MBF (ISH) – Gelding by Eldorado van de Zeshoek (BWP) out of Volivia (KWPN) by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve (BWP). Owner: Meabh Bolger and Jason Higgins. Rider: Jason Higgins. Breeder Anne-Marie O’Gorman.

5^th MHS Style (ISH) – Mare by Kannan (KWPN) out of MHS Lady Guidam (ISH) by Vink Guidam (SF). Owner: Jean Finney. Rider: Alex Finney. Breeder: Ita Brennan.

6^th DHF Alliance (ISH) –  Mare by Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN) out of Rosie Bee (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Owner: Jessica Stallard and The Minister for Defence. Rider: Captain Charlene Kehoe. Breeder: Paul Douglas.

SIX-YEAR-OLD FINAL:

To view pedigree details of horse and rider combinations of the six double clear rounds, see https://sjilive.ie/results/12097727.

FIVE-YEAR-OLD FINAL:

To view pedigree details of horse and rider combinations of the 11 double clear rounds, see https://sjilive.ie/results/12097726