Results from the second Foal Championship qualifier at Kernans EC

The second qualifier for the 2024 Foal Championship took place in Kernans EC, Co Armagh on Tuesday 10th September. There were 28 entries in total; 14 fillies and 14 colts. Of these 28 entries, 10 took part in the Pony sections of Pony Eventing (6) and Pony Showjumping (4), and 18 took part in the horse sections, Horse Eventing (9) and Horse Eventing (9). Full results can be read below.  On judging duty for the day was Jack Doyle and Nicola Ennis.

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 Glenamaddy EC, Co Galway on Wednesday 18th 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

Carnakilly Noble Man (CP), owned and bred by Jackie Hockley, was the winner in the opening category of the day. The colt foal by Carnakilly Mac Guire (CP), out of Carnakilly Coral (CP) damsire Dexter Leam Pondi (CP) impressed the judges with his conformation and movement on the day.

Carnakilly Noble Man (CP), winner of the Pony Eventing, by Carnakilly Mac Guire (CP), out of Carnakilly Coral (CP) damsire Dexter Leam Pondi (CP)

Hollyhock Moulin Rouge (CP) was the second place choice for the day,  by Ubaye Pondi (CP), out of Hollyhock Maidrín Rua (CP) and damsire Monaghanstown Prince (CP). Third place was awarded to James Hammond’s colt Melbourne Rubix Cube (ISP), by Vittorio (HOLST), dam Melbourne Ruby (ISP).

Catherine Dempsey’s Hollyhock Moulin Rouge (CP) who placed second in the Pony Eventing

Pony Showjumping

Sean Kearney’s filly foal was the second winner of the day as Topney Lady T (ISP) topped the pony showjumping category. By Grand Prix pony showjumping stallion Gilton Des Islots (PSF), out of Lucretia “B” V/H Ju Xschot (BWPRP), damsire Benneton (NF). Judges cited the quality of this filly through her section.

Topney Lady T (ISP) winner of the Pony Showjumping section at Kernans EC.

Last year’s champion breeder, Diane Weatherup, placed second in the qualifier with this years Ballywildrick Shamrock Lass (CP). The filly foal is by Carnakilly Mac Guire (CP) and out of Shanna Ailbhe (CP), who’s damsire is Coolin America (CP).

Second place in the Pony Showjumping by Carnakilly Mac Guire (CP), out of Shanna Ailbhe (CP), damsire Coolin America (CP)

Horse Eventing and Traditional

The first horse section of the day jumped into action with Mary Ellen Rice’s filly foal ‘Cool Obsession’ (ISH) claiming the third win of the afternoon. By the thoroughbred: Yaakooum (TB),  out of the dame Cool Dakota (ISH), who’s damsire is Natal (HOLST). The judges commented on the filly being a ‘nice modern type’ sport foal. They now go forward to the final at Emerald EC, in late October.

Winner of the Horse Eventing section Cool Obsession (ISH), pictured with judge Nicola Ennis and breeder Mary Ellen Rice, & Laurence Dunne

It was a closely fought section with second place going to Rebane Hights (ISH) and Patrick McArdle. Rebane Hights (ISH) is by Imperial Hights (ISH) and out of Touch Of Dutch (ISH), damsire Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN).

Rebane Hights (ISH) by Imperial Hights (ISH), out of Touch Of Dutch (ISH), damsire Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN)

Within this section the Traditionally bred horses were also judged. Here last year’s winning breeder, Maria Melvin, was again given top spot and qualification for the final on the 24th October. Her unnamed colt foal who’s sire is KMS Timeless (TB), dam Glenkeeran River Deep (ISH)[TIH], who’s damsire is Crosstown Dancer (ID).

Maria Melvin’s colt foal by KMS Timeless (TB), out of Glenkeeran River Deep (ISH)[TIH], damsire Crosstown Dancer (ID)

The final category of the day was Horse Showjumping was won by Shoemaker (ISH), a colt foal bred by Francis Connolly. By the legendary Cornet Obolensky (BWP), out of Jolly Girl van’t Rooskakker (BWP) and damsire Kashmir van Schuttershof (sBs).

Second place was awarded to Samantha Fegan’s filly foal, Berkleys Kiviuq  (ISH), by Heartbreaker (KWPN) out of Kallgirl de la Pomme (BWP), damsire Nabab de Reve (BWP).

Berkleys Kiviuq (ISH) by Heartbreaker (KWPN) out of Kallgirl de la Pomme (BWP), damsire Nabab de Reve (BWP) with judge Jack Doyle.

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