Sinead O’Connor’s hit song Nothing Compares To You comes to mind when thinking about foals. For a breeder, nothing compares with seeing the first movements of a healthy, lively foal and the thought of someday seeing that same animal shine in competition. No wonder then that the breeding department of Horse Sport Ireland(HSI) initiated its Irish Sport Horse and Pony Foal Championships to allow these animals to shine. Now in their fifth year, the championships are working well. As HSI’s director of breeding Alison Corbally notes: “The number of breeders targeting these championships has increased significantly over the past five years. The feedback from the judges was particularly positive this year, especially with regard to movement and the quality of the foals in the final.”

Out of six nationwide qualifiers, 42 foals went forward to the €64,000 finals. Barry O’Connor and Ger O’Neill judged the show jumping sector while Clare Lambert and Fraser Duffy sorted the potential eventers.

Some gems on show

We have already noted the hat–trick of wins by the Patrick Wafer-bred Parkmore Tyson. He had already scored in the RDS Breeders’ and Clarecastle All Ireland before heading to Cavan for new owner James Meare. By the KWPN sire Tyson and out of a Ghareeb (TB) dam, this gem topped the potential eventer section at Cavan ahead of Finnian McLoughlin’s Our Rocky by River Rock(TB) out of a Tiger Hill (TB) dam.

Two well-known breeders were successful in the potential show jumping section. Ronan Rothwell of Going For Gold fame topped this group with the filly Bolybawn Alaska by Malito de Reve (SF) out of a Crown Z (Zang) dam. Reserve was the Greg Broderick-bred Delight de Muze by Special de Muze(BWP). There were also prizes on offer for the best traditional breds. Gerard Sweeney’s Glenveagh Centaway by Elusive Emir (TB) out of a Coille Mor Hil l(ID) dam was winner ahead of Tom Clancy’s Silver Point by Pointillist (TB) out of a Grange Bouncer (ID) mare.

Nice ponies

The new Irish Pony Stud Book was also well represented. Northern Ireland breeder Helen Troughton had the winner in the eventing section, with Silken Link by Masurenfuerst(Trak). Reserve went to the Conor Connolly-bred Barnaboy Destiny by Dr. Erewhorn(TB). Jerry Lennihan had the show jumping pony winner Seafield Dynamite by Celtic Hero (Zang). The reserve was Stephen McDonald’s Jasmines Summer by the Connemara Westside Sunny.

These Championships are a microcosm to our sport horse and pony breeding at the moment. We are making some nice stuff out of continentals, while still producing good traditional horses.

We wish them all futures with which nothing can compare.