Massive Kilkenny interest at the Dublin Horse Show

The Day in the Life column is back after a summer break, and we are kicking it off with a whirlwind rundown of this year’s Dublin Horse Show.

The five days of top-class equestrian entertainment from the very best of international and national equestrian sport, had almost €1.4 million in prize money on offer. Over the five days there was a jam-packed schedule of 168 classes and competitions for the 148th Dublin Horse Show.

Ireland’s only five-star Show is widely recognised as one of the top equestrian shows in the world. It is what breeders, riders, producers, and owners live for. So how did our Kilkenny riders do among them?

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS - 2023 Kilkenny RDS qualifiers and winners

This year’s RDS Qualifiers were particularly well supported with a massive intertest across the horse and pony sector alike.

It was another great show for Mikey Pender who rides for Kilkenny yard HHS, owned by ex-Olympian rider Marion Bravo Hughes and her husband Miguel Bravo.

Mikey Pender won Pairs International Class winner with Thomas Meagher on Little Miss

Mikey won the opening international class on HHS Vancouver. He also won the Pairs International Class winner with Thomas Meagher on Little Miss. Mikey rode HHS Fortune with whom he came 3rd in the Puissance and 2nd in first Aga Khan.

Marta Bravo Hughes was Reserve Champion 1.40m Young Rider Grand Prix

Sisters Molly and Marta Bravo Hughes, daughters of Marion Hughes enjoyed a great RDS too. Marta was the Reserve Champion 1.40m Young Rider Grand Prix.

Seamus Hughes Kennedy on Cuffesgrange Cavadora 

Their cousins Seamie and Chloe Hughes Kennedy from the Danesfort also enjoyed a great RDS. Rising Cuffesgrange Cavadora, Seamie came 3rd in International Opening International Class and 8th in International 5 Speed Championship.

Susan Fitzpatrick on Galladro Z

Susan Fitzpatrick from Keatingstown Stud came 5th in the 7-8 year old International final riding on Galladro Z on Sunday.

Vincent Byrne from Gowran and Gone Girl Vb, bred by his mother Eleonor Byrne and owned by Lng Enterprises, won the 5 year old ‘Flexible’ class.

Ava O'Neill from Bennettsbridge and her pony “He’s A Touch of Magic” won Reserve National Campion in the 128cm ponies’ competition. Her father Ger O'Neill won the 5 year old class on Thursday and finished 2nd and 4th place in the final. He also won the 7 and 8 year old international class on Friday.

Jack Ryan on BBS Mc Gregor in Sunday's Gran Prix

Brother and sister Jack and Ciara Ryan from Inistioge had some great performances too.

Ciara Ryan rode Chica on the winning Children on horses’ team. She also placed 5th in the individuals Grand Prix for Children on Horses. On Quantum Midnight Gypsy she was a qualifier in 4th  place in 138 and in main arena final she finished 6th.

Her older Jack Ryan won the 6 year old qualifier on Mondavi. He was also 5th in the final with Mondavi. He rode Cavalier Teaca to 3rd place in the speed derby. In the 155cm Mini Grand Prix he came 5th on Catch Me Van Berkenbroeck. In the 160cm Cashel Palace Stakes he rode BBS Mc Gregor to 6th place as well as 6th in 160cm Sport Ireland Classic. His third and last ride on Mc Gregor was in Sunday’s Grand Prix.

   Timmy & Eoin Brennan

Brothers Eoin Brennan and Timmy Brennan from Gowran also had a successful RDS. Eoin and Eskola M 2nd in the main arena young rider 135/140 competition. Eoin and Eskola M came 4th in Simmonscourt young rider 135/140 competition. Eoin also rode Augustus Z and came 5th in the 5 year old class at Simmonscourt and qualified for the main arena 5 year old competition.

Timmy Brennan and GCS ITA 7th in the main arena 135/140 young rider competition

Conor Brennan on Coolcronin Liberty

Their cousins Conor and Jack Brennan also competed. Conor competed in the 6 and 7 year old 148 pony class and was third having jumped two clear rounds. Jack was in the international 7 and 8 year old horse class but an unfortunate pole on the second day kept him out of the final.

Emily Moloney from Warrington & Lady Crown 

Emily Moloney from Warrington on Ian Smyth’s Capitol Cruis were Reserve Champions in the Young Riders 1.25m-1.30m National Championships at Dublin Horse Show 2023. Emily and Lady Crown came 6th in the 148cm National Championship at Dublin Horse Show.

Emily’s father Eddie Moloney rode his own 6 year old mare Tick A Lu finishing in the top 10 of the final of the 6 year old National Championship.

Cousin Alice Moloney and VMS Norman had a great placing as 4th in the 148cm 6/7 year old National Championship. She was also on Castlefield Cass and jumped great in the Young Rider 1.25 - 1.30m.

Robbie & Isobel Sheehan 

Isobel Sheehan from Cuffsgrange and Hasty Road were in action in the 148 1.30m class in Simmonscourt on Wednesday and Thursday. Her younger brother Robbie Sheehan and Bay Times were in the main arena on Friday in the 138 final where he finished in the ribbons.

Abbie Oakey on Boutade Ste Hermelle

Caoimhe Treacy with Tullibards Let's Dance in the 148 6 and 7 year old competition at the RDS. Abbie Oakey on Boutade Ste Hermelle was in the top ten for the 148cm 1.30m National pony Championships. 

SHOW HORSE RESULTS

Pat Loughlin's from Gowran's Cob 'Peaky Blinder' won the Maxi Cob class again at Dublin Horse Show. Amanda Benson from Bennettsbridge's cob 'Goodnight Master' was Reserve Champion in the Light-Weights Cob class. 

 Willie Corrigan and Jane Davis with Ballydarton1 (aka Gunter the Hunter)

Willie Corrigan came 4th in the Maxi Cob class with his six year old 'Ballydarton1'. Aoibhinn Ruane rode 'Dynamite Replay' to win the Reserve Champion in the Working Hunter Ponies class.