Off to a Flyer: First Foals qualified for Final

The first qualifier for the 2024 Foal Championship took place in JAG EC, Co Kildare on Tuesday 3rd September. There were 31 entries in total; 19 fillies and 11 colts. Of these 31 entries, 11 took part in the Pony sections of Pony Eventing (5) and Pony Showjumping (6), and 20 took part in the horse sections, Horse Eventing (9) and Horse Eventing (11). Full results can be read below.

The 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. This fantastic initiative is funded under National Breeding Services, by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland. The Foal Championship is open to all studbooks and the next qualifier will take place in Kernans EC, Co Armagh on Tuesday 10th September.

Click  HERE to enter.

The 2024 Foal Championship is funded under National Breeding Services by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.

Pony Eventing

The first winner of the day, was Inga D’Arcy’s Connemara Pony foal I’d Dare to Dream (CP). This filly foal is by Eden de Garros (CP), out of the mare I’d Say I’m Perfect (CP). Judges, Emily MacMahon and Mairéad Ryan, were impressed by the athletic movement and presence of this foal.

I’d Dare to Dream (CP) by Eden de Garros (CP), out of the mare I’d Say I’m Perfect (CP) owned and bred by Inga D’Arcy winner of the Pony Eventing

In close second and third place followed Sruth Bhearcháin Quiz (CP) and Tyrrellspass Charm (ISP) respectively. Sruth Bhearcháin Quiz (CP), a filly foal by TBS High Society (CP) and out of Gleann Mór Mary Ellen (CP) and bred by Sacha Maxwell. Tyrrellspass Charm (ISP), bred by Catherine Boylan, is a colt foal by Mynach Oracle (WPC) and out of Megland Mooncharm (CHPS). Judges  commented on the athletic qualities of these foals.

Pony Showjumping 

The next class of the day was Pony Showjumping and our winner here is no stranger to the Foal Championships with yearly entries. Stephen McDonald’s Jasmines Little Missy (ISP) beat the competition with her ‘athletic movement and presence’. This filly foal is by Weststar Sunny (CP) and out of Dancing Jasmine (ISP).

Jasmines Little Missy (ISP) bred by Stephen McDonald and winner of the Pony Showjumping (Weststar Sunny (CP) X Dancing Jasmine (ISP))

HMS Lottie (ISP) was second in the class, judges sited this foal as an attractive mover. HMS Lottie (ISP) is by Zapatero VDL (KWPN) and her dam is Classie Lass (ISP).

Horse Eventing & Traditional 

The Horse Eventing had a double winner in Carrafarm Champage Problems (ISH), bred by Samantha Fitzsimons, who won both the Eventing Category and the Traditional category. Out of a Draught mare, Pagestown Harmony (ID), and by Co Monaghan’s Carrick Diamond Royale (ISH)[TIH]. Judges were impressed with this filly’s ‘lovely light movement’.

Carrafarm Champage Problems (ISH) by Carrick Diamond Royale (ISH)[TIH] and out of Pagestown Harmony (ID). Traditional winner and Horse Eventing winner.

Horse Showjumping

Winner of the final class of the day was MF TINKABELLE (ISH) by CARRERA VDL (KWPN) and out of Kisabelle-s (KWPN), bred and owned by Stephen Audoire. Judges commented on the athletic and compact build of the foal.

MF TINKABELLE (ISH) by CARRERA VDL (KWPN) and out of Kisabelle-s (KWPN), bred and owned by Stephen Audoire, winner of the Horse Showjumping category

Second place went to Maureen Roache – Flinter’s filly foal HMS Inca Girl (ISH). This foal is by Casago II (HOLST) and out of Tullyoran Flight (ISH). Again judges commented on her being a ‘fine, big attractive foal’.

All category winners now automatically qualify for the final of the Foal Championship 2024.