The third qualifier for the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series took place at Mullingar Showing Show of the Year. In what was the biggest entry in the series to date, thirty eight horses were entered across the two divisions and our judges, Harry Scanlon and Megan Connell, had their work cut out to decide on a result. Both judges commented on not only the quantity of horses but the quality of thoroughbreds that were lined up in front of them. The line up was a credit to everyone involved in the transitioning of thoroughbreds from racing into their second careers.
In the Novice Section, it was first timer Lark Rise and Melanie Love who stood top of the line up at the end of the class. The five year gelding by Tagula owned by Dermot McIllveen, made the switch to the show ring after Dermot decided the racetrack was not for him. Finishing second was Terry Whyte with Ita Kiernan’s homebred, Shaffrey’s Hill. The seven year old by Eliot ran on the point-to-point track until last spring.
The Open section was equally competitive with sixteen combinations coming forward for our judges. It was the Westerner mare Hollymount Dream and Aileen Dwyer that took the top prize, and earned their ticket to the final in September. This combination is fresh from a win at the AIRC Festival where they were Champion Riding Horse as well as winning the Thoroughbred Showing Class. Continuing on from their win at Raheendaw Horse and Pony Show, (see report here), Alannah Tobin and Lansing took the runner up spot this week in the open section. The pair have had a fruitful spring with two wins at the Limerick/Clare IPS Fundraiser Show as well as being crowned Amateur Champion.
The next leg of the series takes place at the Enniskillen Horse & Pony Show on June 23rd. Full details of the series can be found on here
