Penultimate Foal qualifier at Glenamaddy EC

The penultimate qualifier for the 2024 Foal Championship took place in Glenamaddy EC, Co Galway on Wednesday 18th September. There were 32 entries in total; 15 fillies and 17 colts. Of these 32 entries, 14 took part in the Pony sections of Pony Eventing (3) and Pony Showjumping (11), and 18 took part in the horse sections, Horse Eventing (8) and Horse Eventing (10). Full results can be read below.  On judging duty for the day were Damien Griffin and Tim MacDonnagh.

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 last qualifier will take place in Maryville Stables on Wednesday 24th September (Entries are now closed).

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

Pony Eventing

Donaghmore Shooting Star (CP) was the winner in this section for Pat Lynch. By Abbeyfield Comet (CP) and out of a mare called Pinegrove Suzy (CP), damsire Seoigeach (CP). Judges were impressed with the balanced movement this foal displayed.

Winners of the Pony Eventing section at Glenamaddy EC- Donnaghmore Shooting Star (CP) owned and bred by Pat Lynch

In second place was Michelle Gilligan’s colt foal Cashelhill Timber (CP), by Banks Timber (CP), out of Kinamara South Carolina (CP) damsire Mirah Junior (CP). Third place for the first category of the day was awarded to Sharon Walsh’s filly foal Pineview Junior Rossini (ISP). This foal, owned and bred by Sharon, is by Pineview Junior Boss (ISP), out of WFD Rossini (SPSS) damsire Rembrandt DDH (DR). Judges commended the breeders of these ‘nice, blood foals’.

Pony Showjumping

Diane Weatherup is no stranger to success in the Foal Championship qualifiers and this was true to the same for her colt foal Ballywildrick Liberato (ISP), who placed first in the Pony Showjumping category and that coveted spot in the final. Ballywildrick Liberato (ISP) is by Livello (HOLST) and out of Lenamore Lady Maeve (ISP). Scores were tight in this section but judges were left in no doubt about this ‘balanced and smart foal’.

Winner of the Pony Showjumping section with judges Tim MacDonnagh and Damien Griffin

In close second was Summerdale Thor (ISP), a colt foal bred by Kieran Feeney. Judges commented that the foal showed ‘a lot of potential’. Summerdale Thor (ISP) is by Machno Carwyn (WPC), out of Summerdale Dreamer (ISP) who’s damsire is the Connemara Stallion Rocklawn Elvis (CP). Hannah Gordon’s Fleur de Hans (ISP) was placed third. By Hans (KWPN), out of Iris van de Bucxtale (BWP), damsire Bentley Van De Heffinck (BWP), judges declared this foal to be a ‘balanced uphill foal with a good flow to trot and canter’.

Horse Eventing and Traditional

The third category of the day, but first horse section, was Horse Eventing foal. Within this section the Traditional entries were also judged. Outright winner of the Horse Eventing was Darragh Glynn with his Elusive Emir (TB) colt foal, VG Elusive Clann (ISH). The foal is out of Clann Misshermus (ISH), by the KWPN Stallion Mermus R. Darragh’s foal impressed on the day with ‘all round balance, with good presence and attitude’.

Darragh Glynn’s winning colt foal by Elusive Emir (TB), out of Clann Misshermus (ISH), damsire Mermus R (KWPN)

Second and third place for the Eventing horse foal were within in two points of each other, however, Michael Hanley’s filly foal by Avos Jordan Z (ZANG) came out the better. This filly foal, out of Rathlee Candy Lady (ISH) damsire Sligo Candy Boy (ISH), was complimented by judges on her ‘super presence’. Third place was awarded to filly foal Cappulcorragh Billie Jean (ISH), by Billy Zeus (AES) and out of Classic Moet (TB), who’s damsire is Beat Hollow (TB) the Grade 1 winner.

The Traditional Foal category was won by Mark Condron with his foal Rathvaldron Vinny (ISH)[TIH]. By the stallion Democrat (ISH)[TIH] and out of the mare Shanhigh Lil (ISH)[TIH] damsire Rathmorragh Lark (CP). Judges liked this ‘nice, traditional foal’.

TIH Winner Rathvaldron Vinny with breeder Mark Condron

Second place was awarded to Simone Hession with her colt foal Beezies Morning Glory (ISH)[TIH]. By the Irish Draught stallion Clogheen Life of Reilly (ID), dam Beezies Dawn Cruise (ISH), damsire CC Captain Cruise (ISH).

Horse Showjumping

The concluding category for the Glenamaddy qualifier was Horse Showjumping. With the highest entries of all the sections, competition was tough. Olive Clarke came out on top with her Conthargos (OLD) filly foal FSS CONSPIRACY (ISH). The dam of this foal is FSS Copycat (ISH) who is by the stallion Kannan (KWPN). Judges praised the athleticism of the filly foal and agreed she showed plenty of potential.

All smiles: winning filly foal, FSS CONSPIRACY (ISH) by Conthargos (OLD), out of FSS Copycat (ISH) damsire Kannan (KWPN)

Second and third place, again, were fiercly fought with only 1.25 in the difference. John Clarke, a 2022 champion breeder, came second with his Cascari (HOLST) filly foal: Clarkes Most Optimistic (ISH). She is out of the Lux Z (HANN) mare, Clarkes Quiet Optimistic (ISH). MacDonnagh and Griffin commented on how her balance off the ground resulted in an impressive canter.

Damien Griffin and John Clarke with Clarkes Most Optimistic (ISH)

Third and final placing for the day was awarded to the WSI foal Rushfield Ulysses Du Busson (WSI). Bred by Donnacha Anhold, the colt foal is by Untouchable (KWPN), out of Datcha de Hus Z (ZANG), damsire Deister (HOLST). Judges praised the colts ‘exceptional balance and presence’.

Rushfield Ulysses Du Busson (WSI) owned and bred by Donnacha Anhold