The Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series provided another great year of competition as combinations competed in eight qualifiers to try to secure their spot in the final which took play at the Royal Meath Show on September 3rd. Tattersalls Ireland and Treo Eile are both dedicated to promoting the development and re-training of thoroughbreds and the Showing Pathway Series is an exciting opportunity to showcase the potential of former racehorses as successful riding horses. With qualifiers spread throughout the island, thoroughbreds around Ireland were given a great opportunity to put their best foot forward to try earn their spot in the final.
Qualifiers
The first qualifier took place at the Sceilig Showing Festival late May where Sizing John made his debut in the show ring a winning one by winning the Novice Section under the guidance of Kate Harrington. Taking second place in this section was Loaded and Alice Fitzgerald. In the Open section the Hit the Tar and Vinny Phelan booked their ticket to the final by taking the win ahead of My Lord Marty and Maria Blomen.
Glandoran Island Summer Festival played host to the next qualifier just two weeks later where Chubbi Chekker and Rebecca McIntyre swept the boards winning both the Novice and Open sections. Step Forward and Kate Preston took second place in the Novice section and Mickah Wallace and Stephanie McGlynn took second in the Open Section.
Mullingar Showing Show of the Year hosted the next qualifier and it was there where Cry of the Dreamer and Patricia Newman fought off hot competition to take one of the golden tickets. Helpisontheway and Cathy Sayers also earned their place in the final taking second place. The Open division was won by Vanity Flair and Aileen Dwyer, who did the double and won the R2R Working Hunter Class at the same show. They followed this up with 5th place in the Large Riding Horse class at The Royal Dublin Horse Show. Another combination who had a succesful summer, is previously mentioned, Mickah Wallace and Stephanie McGlynn who took the second ticket. In what can only be described as a red letter year, Mickah Wallace and Stephanie were crowned Overall Show Horse Champion at Dundalk Show, All Ireland Champion at Tullow Agricultural Show as well as third place in the ITM Racehorse to Riding Horse class at The Royal Dublin Horse Show.
The first weekend in July all roads were leading to Clonmel Show for the next chance to book their ticket to the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series final at the Royal Meath Show. Tiffany’s Gold and Jane Davis were too good to beat in the Novice Section with Loaded and Alice Fitzgerald taking another second place. It’s tough to win one qualifier but Vanity Flair and Aileen Dwyer were good enough to do the double and take the win in the Open Section at Clonmel Show adding to their previous success. Taking second place here was Iskandar Prince and Lois Chappell.

At the halfway point of the qualifiers things were heating up as the number of places left in the final were getting fewer. Ardrahan Show provided the venue for the next qualifier and where Bonita Bay and Carolann Dowling stood top of the line up to the ever consistent Loaded and Alice Fitzgerald. The Open section saw last years Racehorse to Riding Horse Champion from the Royal Dublin Horse Show take the top spot – General Principle and Seanin Mahon booked their ticket to the final with Woodland Opera and Jamie Buckley finishing in second place also headed for the final.
With Tattersalls Ireland being the sponsor of the Showing Pathway Series, it was fitting that one of the qualifiers was held at the Tattersalls Ireland July Show. The Novice Class saw a whopping 25 ex-racers stride out with Kinsau and Sofie Walsh taking home the prize. Home Farm and Sarah Gayer were hot on their heels to book their ticket in second place. The rain could not dampen the spirits of Milliner and Phillipa Scott as they stood top of the line in the Open Section. Following on from their success previously in the series, Sizing John and Kate Harrington were second. This proved to be the perfect warm up for Sizing John as he went on to win the ITM Racehorse to Riding Horse class at the Royal Dublin Horse Show.

The next stop of the qualifier tour was at the Randox Antrim Agricultural Show. Randox is a loyal supporter of Treo Eile through their sponsorship of the Autumn Show Jumping Clinic Series. It was Sharon Carolan and Masterson who took the top spot in the Novice Section ahead of Catriona Bolger and Feel My Pulse. In the open section Jennifer Fitzpatrick and I’ll Be Bach stood top of the line up. Megan Matthews and Tadgh nabbed the other qualifying ticket and booked their spot in the final.
With just a week to go before the final there was just one last chance for competitors to get qualified at the Iverk Show which took place on the last weekend of August. Sarah Neville and Limekiln Rock booked their place in the final by taking the win in the Novice Section. Jenny Murphy and Raz de Maree finished a close second and subsequently secured them a place in the final. Lynn Sheehy and Verbier Flyer won the open section from Rebecca McIntyre and Chubbi Chekker.
Final

