Foal Championship & Filly Loose Jumping Final
Foal Championship
The final of the foal championship took place yesterday, Thursday 2nd October, in Emerald Equestrian.
We were joined by 16 foals from all over the country, having won their qualifier securing themselves a place in the final. The winning foals from pony eventing, pony showjumping, horse eventing and horse showjumping classes competed to determine an overall winner in each section. There have been 5 qualifiers around the country to establish the top foal from each region.
There were four Connemara Pony foals, one Welsh Part Bred pony foal, four Irish Sport Pony foals, and eight Irish Sport Horse foals, one of which was a Traditional Irish Horse.
Sires of these foals include 5-star showjumping stallions like Conthargos (OS), Diarado (HOLST) and Nixon Van’t Meulenhof (BWP). Among these sires are some younger upcoming stallions, Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH), Casallido (HOLST), and Drummer 2000 TN Z (ZANG). Approved pony stallions HSF Lucky Boy (ISH), and BP Bon Jovi (PSF) are among some of the pony sires.
Horse Sport Ireland also teamed up with the Irish Equine Centre to provide free faecal egg count testing to all competitors.
The day kicked off at 12pm with pony eventing. Judges Sally Parkyn and Chris Ryan were on the job. The class saw four pony foals compete for title of overall champion. This was taken by the first foal who entered the ring, Sacha Maxwell’s colt foal, Sruth Bhearcháin Rebus (CP), by Safin (CP), out of Gleann Mór Mary Ellen (CP), by Gwennic de Goariva (CP). The judges were impressed by his “look at me” attitude and bravery as soon as he entered the ring. Judge Chris Ryan noted this foal had “an amazing canter, he was beautifully balanced”. Reserve champion went to Sandfield Lucky Socks (ISP), another colt foal, bred by Christopher Slattery, by HSF Lucky Boy (ISH), out of FS Cascada (RS), by FS Champion de Luxe (RP). The judges commented on this foal’s presence and scope. Third place went to David White’s Lilybrook Rolex (CP), by Lough Melvin Gorteen (CP), out of Branchfield Tulip (CP), by Glencarrig Oscar (CP).
Champion Eventing Pony Foal Sruth Bhearcháin Rebus (CP), pictured with breeder/owner Sacha Maxwell, Dr Sonja Egan, and Judges Sally Parkyn and Chris Ryan.
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
Sandfield Lucky Socks (ISP), Reserve Champion Pony Eventing Foal
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
The second class of the day moved onto showjumping pony foals. This class was judged by top breeder Andrew Hughes and showjumper Damien Griffin. Five pony foals from all over Ireland were in contention for champion. The class was Championed by Sean Kearney’s colt foal Topney Cama De Rossa (ISP), by BP Bon Jovi (PSF), out of Lucretia B V/H Juxschot (BWPRP), by Benneton (BWP). A half sister to this foal won the same title a year previously. The judges commented that this foal was “very blood and athletic” “it was a pretty foal” Damien noted that he was “balanced and easy, with lots of blood but not too sharp for children”. Second place went to Fintan Cosgrove’s colt foal Knockmoy Spartan (CP), by his own stallion Knockmoy Silver Shadow (CP). In third place was Gerry Whyte’s Sleehaun Champagne (CP), by Manniard Abel (CP), out of Penure Mini Melody (CP), by I Love you Melody (CP).
Topney Cama De Rossa (ISP), Champion Pony Showjumping Foal, pictured with breeder/owner Sean Kearney, Dr Sonja Egan, judges Andrew Hughes and Damien Griffin
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
Knockmoy Spartan (CP), Reserve Champion Pony Showjumping Foal
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
The third class of the day moved back to eventing, this time it was the horse foals. Chris and Sally were back in the arena to judge the four potential event foals. The judges had a tough time scoring these foals and determining first, second and third place as they were “all so close in quality, and all from great families”. After much deliberation, the title was awarded to Thomas Conway’s foal Adorable (ISH), a filly foal by Diarado (HOLST) out of Star Iris (ISH), by OBOS Quality (OLD). Owner/breeders Thomas and Claudine were delighted to secure a big win, having made the trip up from Cork. The judges commented that they see “five star potential” in this foal, they were impressed by her balance, quality and curiosity. In second place place was Eileen Furlong’s filly foal Thistletown Victoria (ISH) by Castlefield Kingston (OS), out of Bonnie (AES) by Foxglen Cruise Control (AES). Eileen has qualified a foal the the foal championship final for the last three years, the judges marked this foal up for her “power and quality” and noted she was “beautifully correct”. In third place was Maria Melvin’s TIH colt Glenkeeran Cruise Control (ISH)[TIH], by KMS Timeless (TB), out of Glenkeeran Sky Cruise Dancer (ISH)[TIH] by Crosstown Dancer (ID). Chris Ryan was delighted to see a Traditional Irish Horse foal at the final, “TIH’s hold their own, they have that fifth leg”.
Thomas Conway and Claudine Corrigan and their filly foal Adorable (ISH), Champion Eventing Horse Foal, pictured with Dr Sonja Egan, Chris Ryan and Sally Parkyn
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
Thistletown Victoria (ISH), Reserve Champion Eventing Horse Foal
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
The final class of the Foal Championship final was the horse showjumping class. Andrew Hughes and Damien Griffin were back on duty to judge. Four Irish Sport Horse foals entered the ring to compete for the win. Carol Armstrong’s colt foal Cornascriebe Nixon (ISH), a colt foal by Nixon van’t Meulenhof (BWP), out of Cornascriebe Fortuna (ISH) by Numero Uno (KWPN). This foal’s movement caught the judge’s eye. “He had an exceptional walk, we gave top marks for the walk” the trot and canter were also described as “exeptional…so balanced and even”. Reserve champion went to Derry Rothwell’s filly foal, Greenhall Catarina (ISH), by Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH), out of Greenhall Catwalk (ISH), by Mermus R (KWPN). The judges also commented on this foal’s movement, stating she showed ” a very good trot and canter”. Third place was awarded to Michael Doherty’s Nova Eden QF (ISH), a colt foal by Drummer 2000 TN Z (ZANG), out of Conthaletta (OS), by Conthargos (OS).
Champion Showjumping Horse Foal Cornascriebe Nixon (ISH), breeder/owner Carol Armstrong, Andrew Hughes, Dr Sonja Egan and Damien Griffin
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
Greenhall Catarina (ISH), Reserve Champion Showjumping Horse Foal
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
Horse Sport Ireland would like to thank all competitors for supporting the Foal Championship. Judges Sally Parkyn and Chris Ryan were “blown away” by the standard of the foals at the championship. Chris remarks that “breeders are putting the right horses on the ground”.
“The prize money is exceptional. It gets foals out into the spotlight, it is a great benefit to the breeder” Andrew Hughes comments on the importance of the Foal Championship to breeders.
Competitor Sacha Maxwell notes: “Days like these and the qualifiers are wonderful opportunities to meet breeders from around the country who may not always attend foal shows as regular shows may not always allow the exuberance and character of a foal to express itself, so to have that experience through Horse Sport Ireland is great”.
Thank you to all competitors from all qualifiers, venues, judges, vets and arena party.
The Foal Championship is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, under National Breeding Services
Loose Jumping
3 YEAR OLD FILLIES
1st place: Fantasy Dream B (ISH) by Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS), out of Lucy in the Sky B (ISH), damsire O-Piloth (KWPN). Bred by and owned by Andrea Etter
2nd place: SVS Temptation CF (ISH) by Calvador Z (ZANG), out of SVS Attraction (ISH), damsire Air Jordan (OLD). Bred and owned by Brian Hutchinson
3rd place: Casall Q (ISH), by Casall La Silla (HOLST), out of Jump the Q (ISH), damsire OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Bred and owned by Pam Walshe
Winner of the 3 YO Filly Loose Jumping Final, at Emerald EC: Fantasy Dream B (ISH) by Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS), out of Lucy in the Sky B (ISH), damsire O-Piloth (KWPN). Bred by and owned by Andrea Etter
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
Fantasy Dream B (ISH), winner of the 3 YO Filly Loose Jumping Final pictured with Dr Sonja Egan (Head of Breeding, Development & Innovation, HSI), judges: Damien Griffin and Commandant Geoffrey Curran, and breeder & owner Andrea Etter
Photo: Laurence Dunne JumpinAction.net
4-YEAR-OLD FILLIES
1st place: Vitesse Van De Pereboom (BWP), by El Barone 111 Z (ZANG), out of Nauwsika Van De Pereboom (BWP), damsire Thunder van de Zuuthoeve (BWP). Bred by Godfried Storme and owned by Catherine Redmond
2nd place: Cornascriebe Last Diamond (ISH), Orestus (KWPN), out of Cornascriebe Diamond (WNTR), damsire Diamond Serpent (ISH). Bred and owned by Carol Armstrong
3rd place: Janet Jackson B (ISH), by Mr Quincy B (ISH), out of Let’s Dance B (ISH), damsire Celtic Hero B Z (ZANG). Bred and owned by Andrea Etter
Winner of the 4 Year Old Filly Loose Jumping final: Vitesse Van De Pereboom (BWP), by El Barone 111 Z (ZANG), out of Nauwsika Van De Pereboom (BWP), damsire Thunder van de Zuuthoeve (BWP). Bred by Godfried Storme and owned by Catherine Redmond
Vitesse Van De Pereboom (BWP), winner of the 4 YO Loose Jumping, pictured here with owner Catherine Redmond, Dr Sonja Egan (Head of Breeding, Development & Innovation, HSI), judges: Damien Griffin and Commandant Geoffrey Curran
Horse Sport Ireland would like to thank all of the judges through the qualifiers and finals for their expert views and knowledge at the 2025 Foal Championship & Loose Jumping. All five judges at the final commended the high standard and tough competition in the final this year. HSI would also like to express their gratitude to all Arena Party members, vets, host venues and the countless other individuals that help run the Foal Championship and Loose Jumping each year.
Horse Sport Ireland would like to thank the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for their continued support of the Foal Championship and Loose Jumping each year under National Breeding Services. They highlight the importance of identifying and rewarding breeders who have bred animals that have the potential to be competitive at the highest level in the disciplines of Show Jumping or Eventing. Such evaluation of our young horses and ponies is imperative to the continued success of our Irish bred horses and ponies.
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