High jinks from Lagans O.B.O.S Quality
Sunshine, sunscreen & superb horses pretty much summarised the first day at the 2017 Dublin Horse Show.
As thousands of spectators lined the busy judging rings we secured a spot to watch the Young Event Horses. First up were the 3 Year Old potential eventers judged by Yogi Breisner and, with 15,000 euro in prize money up for grabs, there was some serious competition amongst breeders for this prestigious class.
It was judged over two phases with an in hand presentation on the triangle followed by a free jumping test “in the bullring” where each horse scored a possible 150 points; 30 points each for conformation, jumping ability and the canter, 20 points for the walk and trot, plus potential and suitability with a further 10 points each for quickness of reflexes, standard of training and presentation.
With the majority of youngsters being a cross between the traditional Irish Sport Horse and European warmbloods it was the dark brown colt Lagans O.B.O.S Quality by OBOS Quality (OLD) out of Calvo Queen (ISH) that took out the top award for Kennedy Bros. Sporthorses.
Small Event Horse winner Derg Masterpiece ridden by Aideen Kirby with the judges
After a touch of “Irish hospitality” we moved across to Ring 2 for the afternoon judging of the 4 & 5 year old Young Event Horses. These classes aim to identify young Irish bred horses with potential to become International 3 Day Eventers, a successful format as proven by graduates Paulank Brockagh ( 2014 Badminton winner) Bay My Hero (Rolex Kentucky winner) and the recent Individual bronze medallist at Rio 2016, Phillip Dutton’s Mighty Nice.
Qualifiers are held across the country with the top 10 highest scorers in each age group making it to the final in Dublin, judged this year by Lucinda Green MBE, Leslie Law and Jason Webb.
Phase A consisted of a simple dressage test followed immediately by a short show jumping course including a two stride combination up to a height of 1.00m for the 4 year olds and 1.10m for the 5 year olds. Each entrant then moved to the side of the arena to be judged by a very thorough Lucinda Green who marked on conformation, plus the walk & trot in hand. An excellent commentary by Chris Ryan (son of the legendary huntsman Thady Ryan) kept us all informed on both the bloodlines and performance results of each exhibitor.
Plenty of challenges on course
The final phase of the YEH classes was held the following morning in the International Jumping Arena and what a test this is for the potential young superstars!
The course consisted of five varied rustic show jumps before picking up pace for the remaining dozen or so solid fences. What an eyeful for these youngsters with every conceivable cross country test on the course, banks, ditches, water, skinnies, brush fences and a Devils Dyke! The three judges were positioned around the course with their stewards holding up scores at the completion of each round which added interest for spectators and supporters alike.
And so to the eventual winners ....
In the Small Event horse class (14.3hh to 15.3hh suitable for junior and young riders) the first place went to Derg Masterpiece ridden by Aideen Kirby.
The 4 year old class was taken out by Brookfield Cavalier Cruise and Louise Codd. Interestingly this young horse will soon be flying the Aussie flag with Kevin McNab aboard .
The winner of the 5 year olds was the quality chestnut mare Flemington Ruby whose sire Golden Major Magic was recently exported to the UK.
Brookfield Cavalier Cruise ridden by Louise Codd
In a final wrap up the 3 judges were interviewed in the arena with Lucinda Green stating that the majority of the youngsters had a very good attitude and, although great jumpers too, many in her opinion had a high percentage of warmblood in them.
Leslie Law felt that it was a great flowing course and that he had looked for a bold, forward round, also stating that he likes to see plenty of blood in a potential 4 Star horse.
The final comment came from Aussie judge Jason Webb who gave his highest marks to the relaxed, fluent rounds rather than the “over produced “ youngsters.
A great spectacle as part of the Dublin Horse Show, the Young Event Horse series is a proven format that has produced many worthy ambassadors in the Irish Sport Horse industry.
Report by Sue Tufnell, photos by Chris Tufnell of Tullow Stud
