RDS class changes

The RDS has announced changes to this year’s Dublin Horse Show (8-12August). From this year, there will be one judge nominated as the ‘ride judge’ and a second judge as the ‘conformation judge’ for the show hunter classes. Exhibitors of four and five-year-old horses in ridden and performance classes (with the exception of those with qualifiers) must ensure their horses have competed in at least three shows in the current season, before entering for Dublin, and to give more riders and amateur producers a chance to qualify for Dublin, a new rule stipulates that individual riders will be permitted to qualify a maximum of two ponies across the two Connemara Performance Hunter classes, and two horses in total in the Performance Irish Draught classes.

Similarly at each qualifier, riders can only compete a maximum of three horses per Young Event Horse qualifier category, two horses in the Small Event Horse class, two horses in each age category in the Performance Irish Draughts and two ponies in each of the Connemara Performance Hunter classes.

Belgian win for Breen

Tipperary’s Trevor Breen and the Willy Matton-owned grey mare Bombay won last Sunday’s two-star Grand Prix at Opglabbeek in Belgium. Breen and Bombay (Lord Z x Bon Ami) were one of 12 combinations who made it through to the jump-off where a clear round in 40.01 seconds saw them land the first prize of €6,250 ahead of Canada’s Eric Lamaze in second with Chesney (40.31). Belgium’s Pieter Clemens finished third with Calvino de Nyze Z (40.41), while Co Meath’s Cian O’Connor completed a good result for Irish riders by filling fourth place with Clenur (40.69).

Racehorse series

Tattersalls will sponsor the Retired Racehorse Show Series, organised by the IHWT Thoroughbred Club, for the 2018 season. Now in its third year, a working hunter class has also been added for 2018.

First and second from each of the eight qualifiers around the country will be eligible for the final which takes place at the Tattersalls July Show on 21-22 July. A prize of €1,000 is on offer for the winner of the show class, as well as a chance to compete at the RoR National Championships in Aintree at the end of August. The working hunter final offers a €500 prize fund.