Irish-bred horses featured strongly in the final places at the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship for Young Horses 2023 in Lion d’Angers (FRA), with Cooley Mosstown (ISH) bred by David Harrison, narrowly missing out on a medal when finishing in fourth position in the 7-year-old competition. Ridden by Caroline Harris (GBR), Cooley Mosstown (ISH) was clear in the Cross Country and Show Jumping phases to finish on on a Dressage score of 28.9. They were just 0.6 penalties off the gold medal winning score of 28.3 which was posted by French rider Thomas Carlile and Golden De Beliard.
Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy (pictured) was the highest-placed Irish rider, finishing in ninth place with MGH Zabaione (ISH) whom he bred himself, while Ireland’s Georgie Goss and Sligo Just Touch (ISH), bred by Padraig Howley finished 12th. Agadir Gano (ISH), bred by Phillip Noone and ridden by Katie Magee (GBR) finished 14th, while Millridge Athos (ISH), bred by Kieran Savage and ridden by Ian Cassels (IRL) finished in 16th place overall.
In the 6-year-old competition, Stephen Smith and the Dorothea Wilson-bred Strangford were best of the Irish in 14th place, while Coolnoran Cooley (ISH), bred by Mark Hession and ridden by Amanda Goldsbury (NZL) finished in 16th. Four Irish-bred horses finished in the top 20 with Greenogue Gigi (ISH), bred by Con McCarthy and ridden by Ian Cassells (IRL) in 19th, just ahead of Blakeneys Cruise (ISH), bred by Brendan Noone and ridden by Quidley Kellermann (USA) in 20th.
BREEDING
7-year-olds
4TH – Cooley Mosstown (ISH) [was Mosstown CH] – 2016 gelding by Celtic Hero B Z (ZANG) out of Rabaila (HOLST) by Riverman (HOLST). Breeder: David Harrison. Rider: Caroline Harris (GBR).
9TH – MGH Zabaione (ISH) – 2016 gelding by Zavall Vdl (KWPN) out of Viancara VDL (KWPN) by Acobat II (HOLST). Breeder: Padraig McCarthy. Owner: Lucy and Padraig McCarthy. Rider: Padraig McCarthy (IRL).
12TH – Sligo Just Touch (ISH) – 2016 gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Sligo Landgraf Touch (ISH) by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Padraig Howley. Owner: Molly Fisher and Lucy Flemming. Rider: Georgie Goss (IRL).
14TH – Agadir Gano (ISH) – 2016 gelding by Quickly de Kreisker (SF) out of Eclipse D’Hyrencourt (SBS) by Ogano Sitte (SBS). Breeder: Phillip Noone. Rioder: Katie Magee
16TH – Millridge Athos (ISH) – 2016 gelding by Grand Gayle (TB) out of Out Of Touch Blue Moon (ISH) by Out Of Touch (ISH). Breeder: Kieran Savage. Owner: Gerry Leahy. Rider: Ian Cassels (IRL).
6-year-olds
14TH Strangford (ISH) – 2017 gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of Templepatrick Dara Bay (ISH)(TIH) by Cruisings Micky Finn (ISH)(TIH). Breeder: Dorothea Wilson. Owner: Terry Johnston. Rider: Stephen Smith (IRL) Smith Brothers Eventing. Score 33.6
16TH – Coolnoran Cooley (ISH) – 2017 gelding by Im Special de Muze, out of Coolnorran Liberty by Waldo Van Dungen. Breeder – Mark Hession. Rider : Amanda Goldsbury (NZL). Score 31.7
19TH – Greenogue Gigi (ISH) – 2017 mare by Je T’aime Flamenco (BWP) out of Quita (ISH) by Dow Jones Courcel (SF). Breeder: Con McCarthy. Owner: Lucy McCarthy. Rider: Ian Cassells (IRL). Score 35.2.
20th Blakeneys Cruise (ISH) – 2017 gelding by FSS Correlli Bravo (ISH) out of Caoimhes Crusing (ISH) by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Brendan Noone. Rider: Quidley Kellermann (USA). Score 34.9.