The West Cork Horse Breeders held their annual Performance Show at West Cork Equine Centre, courtesy of Wayne and Geri Santry, on Saturday July 18th. It was a well attended day with some lovely horses on view with main judge Seamus Hayes, a good showjumper in his own right, going away very impressed with both the standard and turn out of the horses and riders on view.
It was a clean sweep for local young rider Olivia Roycroft who also dominated here last year. Her 4 year old winner last year, Dieshone by Diarado wh she scourced in Germany, came back this year to win the same 4 and 5 year old competition. The 4 year olds jump 90cm and the 5 year olds 1m10 so the horse has really progressed in the last 12 months. The runner up spot was taken by Mark O'Sullivan's MHS Quinton with Eamon Wycherly in 3rd on Brian Sheehan's Keamore Lord Lux.
Olivia the went on to win the young rider competition on Rum Swizzle with Valerie Desmond 2nd on Wayne Santry's Knockbrown Cash Crisis. Special mention must go to Ciara Barrett who finished 3rd on board Carol's Tavira. This was Ciara's first ride back after a bad accident 12 months ago which is a remarkable achievement.
Entries for the Irish Draught class were very scarce on the ground and James O'Donoughue's Rochestown Dynamo benefited from a very patient judge who allowed the horse to show his potential and did not rush the rider. The horse is now qualified for the final in Punchestown.
Hayes was very impressed with the standard of the 3 year old horses in the loose jumping competition with three of the first four having already qualified for the Young Irelander final at Millstreet. This allowed the qualifying slots to extend down to both Carol Adams and Bob O'Keeffe.
The first four in the 3 year old loose jumping competition were called back to re-jump one fence while the judge made his final deliberations. In the end the nod went to Stephen McCarthy with HVL Con Girl, by Chipolini VMZ who Seamus Hayes previously competed. In 2nd slot was Michael Kelliher's Zack by the Irish Sport Horse stallion, He's Royalty who previously competed with Francis Connors. In 3rd slot was Con Keohane's Fraser, by the TB stallion Pointilliste out of a full sister to William Fox Pitt's Burghley winner Ballinacoola. In 4th was John Crowley's Bride Valley Naughty Lux by the Hannovarian sire Lux Z. This horse had taken part in the All Ireland 3 year old final at Bannow and Rathangan just two days previously.
Sharon Fitton had a large class of 3 and 4 year old ponies loose jumping but it was a good day for the Harrington's with Alan Harrington's Obama taking top honours from Laura Harrington's Lady Bird ahead of Wayne Santry's Quarryhall Billy. This was Alan's second year in a row winning the pony loose jumping so he must really enjoy his trips to Kilbrittain.
