Recently, I was reminded of Equus Live that took place in Punchestown in 2013. The event included a mare championship for Four and Five Year Old mares and it got me thinking about what these mares might have since gone on to achieve, either as sport horses or broodmares, in the past seven years.

Run by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), this championship aimed to showcase the top Three & Four Year Old mares that were presented for inspection in 2013. The mares were assessed by HSI’s inspection panel on the basis of their pedigree, conformation, movement and athleticism. In 2013 approximately one hundred mares were presented for inspection in the Irish Sport Horse (ISH) Studbook, with the fifteen of the top scoring mares invited to participate in the Mare Championship at Equus Live that November.

The championship was a very positive initiative and attracted significant interest from spectating breeders. Miguel Bravo & Marion Hughes’ Three Year Old mare HHS Inspiration (OBOS Quality 004 x Balboa) was crowned the championship winner. This mare had also been the winning filly in the Loose Performance class at the 2013 Dublin Horse Show a few weeks previously.

Champion mare HHS Inspiration (OBOS Quality 004 x Balboa)

There were two things about the class that were a shame. Only one winner was selected, and no additional placings were announced, meaning that owners and spectators did not know if a given mare ranked second or last. The second aspect was that it was disappointing that the championship was not made into an annual event. Events such as this are a nice, educational outing for breeders and an opportunity to see these young mares prior to their breeding and/or sport careers.

I have made a note under each finalist to indicate their highest level of performance, where sporting results could be found, and the year in which they had their first foal registered in the Irish Horse Register (IHR) where applicable. Owners listed below were the owners at the time of the championship. If there is a correction to be made to the below information please email me via michael@quarryfieldfarm.com.

Breeding details of the finalists (in alphabetical order):

ARDFORT LADY VOGUE (ISH) – 2009 mare by Vechta (KWPN) out of Lady Cruzdown (ISH), by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Aidan Cooke, Leitrim. Owner: Michael Kean, Mayo.

No performance found. First IHR foal registered in IHR in 2020 - filly by Vivant Van De Heffinck (BWP).
CURRABAWN CRAZY DAISY (ISH) – 2010 mare by Tinaranas Inspector (WESF) out of Huff & Puff (AES), by CARROLLS FLIGHT (AES). Breeder/Owner: Ian Heslin, Longford.

Competed up to FEI 1m35 level. No foals registered in IHR.
DOWDSTOWN INDI (ISH) – 2010 mare by Argentinus (HANN) out of Narina (KWPN, by Indoctro (HOLST). Breeder/Owner:James Hoare, Kildare.

Competed up to 1m30 level in Ireland. Placed 3rd in the HSI Mare Championship Final for 5 & 6 Year Olds in 2015. First IHR foal registered in 2017 - colt by Diamant De Semilly (SF).
ESI SOFIA (ISH) – 2010 mare by Simba (KWPN) out of Lady Kilkenny Cavalier (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Mary Hughes, Kilkenny. Owned: Ennisnag Stud, Kilkenny.

No performance found. First IHR foal registered in 2017 - colt by Dakar VDL (KWPN).
GLIMMERING (ISH) (TIH) – 2009 mare by Loughehoe Guy (ISH) out of Cruise Leaf (ISH), by Cruising (ISH). Breeder/Owner: Dr Noel Cawley, Kildare.

Competed at 1m40 level in Ireland. Winner of the ISH Studbook Showjumping Series 7 Year Old Final in 2016. First IHR foal born in 2020 - colt by Plot Blue (KWPN).
HAPPINESS B (ISH) – 2010 mare by O-Piloth (KWPN) out of Jolanda IX (KWPN), by Voltaire (HANN). Breeder/Owner: Etter Sportoferde AG, Offaly.

Competed at 1m10 Switzerland. First IHR foal registered in 2014 - filly by Plot Blue (KWPN).
HHS INSPIRATION (ISH) – 2010 mare by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD) out of Inspiration (ISH) by Balboa (TB). Breeder/Owner: Miguel Bravo & Marion Hughes, Kilkenny.

Competed up to 1m35 in Ireland, winner at 1m30 level. First IHR foal born in 2019 - filly by Emerald (BWP)
KILMASTULLA KHALIFA (ISH) ( aka TRENDY KIMBY) – 2010 mare by Future Trend (OLD) out of Sarahs Pet (ISH), by Allthruthenight (TB). Breeder: Noel Daly, Clare. Owner: Michael Lyons, Tipperary.

Competed up to 1m30 Norway. Successful in FEI Young Horse classes in Spain as 5 Year Old. No foals registered in IHR.
LAURYN B (ISH) – 2009 mare by O-Piloth (KWPN) out of Lorina II (ZVCH), by Lombard (HOLST). Breeder/Owner: Etter Sportoferde AG, Offaly.

Competed at 1M in Ireland. First IHR foal registered in 2013 - colt by Radolin.
MERANIMO (ISH) – 2010 mare by Mermus R (KWPN) out of Golden Dynasty (KWPN), by Animo (KWPN). Breeder/Owner: Diana H Warrington, Kildare.

No performance found. First IHR foal born in 2015 - filly by Diarado (HOLST).
MHS CAVALIERS DAUGHTER (ISH) – 2009 mare by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of MHS Ryans Daughter (ISH), by Olypmic Lux (KWPN). Breeder/Owner: Thomas Brennan, Kilkenny.

No performance found. First IHR foal born in 2013 - filly by Quidam Junior I (KWPN) - MHS Telia, competing at 1m30 level in Italy.
MHS LADY GUIDAM (ISH) – 2009 mare by Guidam (SF) out of Gowrans Lady (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder/Owner: Ita Brennan, Kilkenny.

No performance found. First IHR foal born in 2013 - filly by Vigaro (KWPN). Dam of MHS Style, competing in the 5 Year Old ISH Studbook Showjumping Series in 2020.
SARCO WOOD (ISH) – 2010 mare by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BWP) out of Cruiseway Coille (ISH), by Cruising (ISH). Breeder: Geraldine McMahon, Clare. Owner: Ray Minion, Kilkenny.

Qualified for the Dublin Horse Show as a Four Year Old. Competed up to 1m20 in Ireland. No foals registered in IHR.
SHANNONDALE NAOMI (ISH) – 2009 mare by Darco (BWP) out of Shannondale Melodie (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Mary Walsh, Clare. Owner: Marion Hughes, Kilkenny.

No performance found. First IHR foal registered in 2016 - filly by Eldorado van de Zeshoek (BWP).
TYKILLEN LIVELLA (ISH) – 2009 mare by SIEC Livello (HOLST) out of Slaney Imperial Cavalier (ISH), by Master Imp (TB). Breeder/Owner: Ciara Morris, Wexford.

Competed up to 1m40 in the USA. Winner of the Six Year Old Young Jumper Championship at WEF 2015. No foals registered in IHR.

Glimmering (Loughehoe Guy x Cruising) - Winner of the ISH Studbook Showjumping Series 7 Year Old Final in 2016 & went on to compete at 1m40 level. She is now a broodmare for her breeder, Dr Noel Cawley.