Double of wins for Ireland on opening day of RDS Dublin Horse Show

Darragh Kenny and Chic Chic on their way to victory in the Sport Ireland Classic (Photo: Pam Cunningham

Irish Show Jumping riders have made an excellent start on day one of the 2024 Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Ballsbridge, claiming a double of wins including the feature Sport Ireland Classic where Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and the 13-year-old stallion Chic Chic jumped clear in 69.17 seconds to take the top prize.

Fellow Irish rider Mikey Pender finished as runner-up with the Marion Hughes-bred HHS Los Angeles (ISH) in 70.20 while American visitor McLain Ward and First Lady filled third spot in 70.96.

Francis Derwin riding Parvati Aeg Winner of the Speed Stakes (International Comp
Dublin Horse Show 14th August 2024 (Photo: Pam Cunningham)

The opening international competition of the Dublin Horse Show saw Irish riders fill all of the top three places. Athlone’s Francis Derwin partnered Parvati AEG to victory in the 1m45 Speed Stakes with a winning clear in 52.51 seconds. Second place went to Co Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy and the Dorothea Wilson-bred Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick (ISH) with a time of 53.46, while Paris Olympian Daniel Coyle finished third with Lena VDL

Belgium’s Emilie Conter and Ocean Quality came out on top in the 1m45 Minerva Stakes. Julien Gonin and Estrella de La Batia finished as runners-up while Cian O’Connor was best of the Irish in third with Fox Chapel. Kildare’s Mikey Pender also featured in the prizes, taking fifth spot with HHS Cornetta. (ISH).

Jason Foley riding Ballyshan B F Super Hero 9ISH) Winners of the Six Year Old Horses at The Dublin Horse Show.
Wednesday 14th August 2024 (Photo: Pam Cunningham)

The first of the young Horse qualifiers at the RDS saw Ballyshan B F Super Hero (ISH), bred in Co Donegal by Gary Doherty and ridden by Carlow’s Jason Foley, secure victory in the six-year-old qualifier. A massive 18 combinations went through to the jump-off where Foley posted a winning time of 33.14 seconds.

Meanwhile the Irish team for Friday’s Aga Khan has been confirmed, with Michael Blake selecting Darragh Kenny with VDL Cartello, Denis Lynch with Vistogrand, Mark McAuley with GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) and Cian O’Connor with Fancy De Kergane for the Rolex Series competition which will be shown live on RTE 2 television from 1.45pm.

BREEDING
Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick (ISH) – 2010 mare by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Go Luckey (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Dorothea Wilson. Owner: Robin Bingham. Rider: Niamh McEvoy (IRL).

Ballyshan B F Super Hero (ISH): 2018 gelding by Celtic Hero B Z (Zang) out of Ballyshan Luximportant (ISH), by Lux Z (Hann). Breeder: Gary Doherty, Co. Donegal. Owner: Martin Egan. Rider: Jason Foley

HHS Los Angeles (ISH) – 2014 mare by Le Roi (ZDP) out of China Cavalier (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Marion Hughes. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).

HHS Cornetta (ISH) – Mare by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of HHS Acorado (ISH) by Acorado (HOLST). Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender. Breeder: Marion Hughes.