Horse Sport Ireland Autumn Development Series off to a flying start in Mullingar as Irish Sport Horses shine

The new Horse Sport Ireland Autumn Development Series got off to a hugely successful start at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Sunday, with the Horse Sport Ireland Autumn Grand Prix League attracting many of Ireland’s top Show Jumping riders for a competition that was dominated by Irish Sport Horses.

Over 50 combinations went to post, with 16 of those making it through to the jump-off. At the finish it was Kilkenny’s Ger O’Neill who claimed the winners prize with the Sharon Fitzpatrick-owned Irish Sport Horse Keatingstown Z Wellie Two, O’Neill finished with over four seconds to spare over junior rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy in second with the Clare Hughes-owned Cuffesgrange Cavadora (ISH), while Jennifer Kuehnle took third place overall with Tullibards Miss Optimistic (ISH).

Ger O’Neill and The Irish Sport Horse Keatingstown Z Wellie Two (Photo: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net)

All of the top five horses were in fact Irish Sport Horses, including fourth place finisher Ardnacashel Coovella (ISH) ridden by Phillip Gaw and Shannondale Rahona (ISH) ridden by Capt. Charlene Kehoe to fifth place, while Vincent Byrne completed the top six with Cocoblue (HANN).

Horse Sport Ireland Autumn Grand Prix League  – Mullingar Equestrian Centre 13/09/2020

BREEDING
1 Gerard O’Neill and Keatingstown Z Wellie Two (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Z Wellie 72 (KWPN) out of Marchionesse (ISH). Breeder and Owner: Sharon Fitzpatrick, Co. Kilkenny.
2 Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Cuffesgrange Cavadora (ISH) – 2012 mare by Z Wellie 72 (KWPN) out of Cuffesgrange Cavalidam (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN). Breeder: Eamonn Sheehan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Clare Hughes.
3 Jennifer Kuehnle and Tullibards Miss Optimistic (ISH) – 2010 mare by Lux Z (HANN) out of Optima (HOLST) by Carthago (HOLST). Breeder: Kedrah House Stud, Co. Tipperary. Owner: Thomas Meagher and Hans Jurgen Kuehnle.
4 Phillip Gaw and Ardnacashel Coovella (ISH) – 2009 mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Prominence (ISH) by Harlequin Du Carel (SF). Breeder: Janice Reddy, Co. Down. Owner: Derek Gaw.
5 Capt. Charlene Kehoe and Shannondale Rahona (ISH) – 2006 mare by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) out of Cavalier Hill (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Peter Rice, Co. Monaghan. Owner: Minister for Defence.
6 Vincent Byrne and Cocoblue (HANN) – 2011 gelding by Contendros 2 (HANN) out of Chaclypsa (MECKL) by Chacco Blue (MECKL). Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz. Owner: Pearl Roche.