In what seems a very fitting tribute to the late John Hughes MRCVS, who stood the stallion Cavalier Royale, the winner of the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) 2021 Horse Show Jumping Foal Champion, was Michael and Sinead Brennan’s colt by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of the Cavalier Royale (HOLST) mare Gowran Lady (ISH). The 2021 annual HSI Foal Championship was held on 19 October at Cavan Equestrian Centre and was the culmination of six regional national qualifiers. This championship showcases some of the best of sport horse and sport pony breeding in Ireland. The championship is lucrative too, with HSI awarding over €30,000 across the five categories to the best foals presented throughout the championship.
In what seems a very fitting tribute to the late John Hughes MRCVS, who stood the stallion Cavalier Royale, the winner of the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) 2021 Horse Show Jumping Foal Champion, was Michael and Sinead Brennan’s colt by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of the Cavalier Royale (HOLST) mare Gowran Lady (ISH).
The 2021 annual HSI Foal Championship was held on 19 October at Cavan Equestrian Centre and was the culmination of six regional national qualifiers. This championship showcases some of the best of sport horse and sport pony breeding in Ireland. The championship is lucrative too, with HSI awarding over €30,000 across the five categories to the best foals presented throughout the championship.
Six competitors were presented in four categories: Pony Show Jumping Foal, Pony Eventing Foal, Horse Show Jumping Foal and Horse Eventing Foal. In addition, the top five traditionally-bred foals across the competition were judged and presented with the top traditionally-bred foal for 2021.
HSI engaged an expert judging panel across each category which comprised of Gabriel Tunney and Norman Allen, who assessed the athleticism and potential aptitude of the show jumping foals.
The eventing foals were judged under the expert eyes of Nicola Ennis and Nicky Roncoroni, who commended the proven damline breeding.
Philip Scott and Nicola Ennis judged the traditionally-bred foals.
HSI describes the championship as an opportunity 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.”
Horse Eventing and Traditional Foals
The eventing and traditional foal sections were judged separately. However, judges were unanimous in their scoring of the top event and traditional foals. Hence the champion and reserve champion of the eventing section were both traditionally-bred foals.
Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Eventing & Traditional Foal Champion was Siobhán Carroll’s colt by Murka’s Gem Clone of Gem Twist (TB) out of Cherrymount Capachino (ISH)(TIH) by Sinatra (IRE)(TB)\ HSI\ Laurence Dunne\jumpinaction.net
•Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Show Jumping Foal Champion was Michael and Sinead Brennan’s colt by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of Gowran Lady (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST).
Judges comment: “The dam line performance of this colt had a fantastic score, which really translated into this foal as an individual. This a quality colt with a lot of presence and a very good canter; on strike off he pushed uphill and had super balance! Lovely blood, athletic foal.”
• Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Show Jumping Foal Reserve Champion was Lilly Walsh’s colt by Eldorado Van De Zeshoek (BWP) out of Kissable W (KWPN) by Berlin (KWPN).
• Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Eventing and Traditional Foal Champion was Siobhán Carroll’s colt by Murka’sMurka’s Gem Clone of Gem Twist (TB) out of Cherrymount Capachino (ISH)(TIH) by Sinatra (IRE)(TB).
Judges comment: “This foal had great presence and super conformation; he is very well put together and a lovely mover. He is an eventer of the future; we would love to see him out! It is great to see breeding from mares proven in the sport of eventing, and this is well evidenced in the event foals here today.”
• Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Horse Eventing and Traditional Foal Reserve Champion was Ciara Kinsella’s filly by Sir Jim Jim (ISH) (TIH) out of Ballymurphy Queen (ISH) (TIH) by Master Imp (TB).
• Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Show Jumping Foal Champion was Jackie Hockley’s Carnakilly Fairytale, a filly foal by Echonix (ISH) out of Classiebawn Head Lass (CP) by Jack’s Promise (CP).
Judges comment: “A blood type foal with good conformation who was very light on her feet; you couldn’t hear her cover the ground. She’s the type you’d love to own. We’d be disappointed if she did not go on to jump!”
• Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Show Jumping Foal Reserve Champion was Patrick Cafferty’s Mo Chara Nua, a colt foal by Pumpkin Pondi (CP) out of Zuly (CP) by I Love you Melody (CP).
• Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Eventing Foal Champion was Emily-Kate Robinson’s In A Tizzy, a filly by Alvaro Van Pachern (AWO) out of Tisrara Hill (ISH) by Moores Clover (ISH).
Judges comment: “This filly was the overall package, good conformation, fabulous attitude and scored highly in all paces. We are unanimous in wanting a spin when she’s older! Great to see a proven mare produce a lovely filly.”
• Horse Sport Ireland 2021 Pony Eventing Foal Reserve Champion was Helen Troughton’s Silken Niamh, a filly by Masurenfuerst (Trak) out of Honeyhill Lady (CP) by Robe Earl (CP).
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