Padraigh McCarthy (IRL) wins individual silver at the 2018 WEG. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Horse Sport Ireland has released its longlist of 14 horse-and-rider combinations for the forthcoming FEI World Championships of Eventing, set to be held September 14-18 in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. The team will head to Rome in the hopes of replicating their exceptional run at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, which saw them take silver, as well as earning an individual silver medal for Padraig McCarthy and the since-retired Mr Chunky.
Sam Watson congratulates Padraig McCarthy and owner Christopher Perkins after his clear round at the 2018 WEG. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Though this longlist sees several of 2018’s team riders return – Padraig is named with two five-star mounts, while Sam Watson has been put forward with the very blood Ballybolger Talisman, who certainly has the stamina and pace for Pratoni’s hills – just one of the horses we saw then is still going strong. Cathal Daniels’s Rioghan Rua, who followed up that 2018 team silver with individual bronze at the following year’s European Championships, is one of four horses named for the rider.
The final team of four, plus one individual rider, is set to be announced on August 29th. The named horses and riders are as follows:
- Susie Berry and Ringwood LB – Thirteen-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Iroko x Seoidin Alainn, by Master Imp). Owned by Helen Caton, Gwen Purce, and the rider.
- Susie Berry and Monbeg By Design – Ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Pacino x Eskerhills Lexis, by Puissance). Owned by Helen Caton.
- Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua – Fifteen-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Jack of Diamonds x Highland Destiny, by Flagmount King). Owned by Frank and Margaret Kinsella.
- Cathal Daniels and LEB Lias Jewel – Twelve-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Limerick x Leb Liath, by Colin Diamond). Owned by Jo Breheny.
- Cathal Daniels and Barrichello – Thirteen-year-old British-Bred Sport Horse gelding (Balou du Rouet x Madons Even Wiser, by Matinee du Madon VII). Owned by Sarah Hughes.
- Cathal Daniels and CDS Cairnview Romolu – Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Omar x Cairnview Grace, by Ballinvella). Owned by the rider.
- Padraig McCarthy and Fallulah – Thirteen-year-old Westfalian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Devona, by Di Versace). Owned by Amanda and Nicholas Boyle, Di Brunsden, Peter Cattel, and the rider.
- Padraig McCarthy and HHS Noble Call – Seventeen-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Last News x Noblina, by Cavalier Royale). Owned by Pearl Chaffe and Padraig McCarthy.
- Joseph Murphy and Calmaro – Eleven-year-old Brandenburg gelding (Carpalano x dam unknown). Owned by Claire and Charlie Mayne, Annette O’Callaghan, and the rider.
- Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue – Thirteen-year-old British-Bred Sport Horse gelding (Jaguar Mail x Rock Me Baby, by Rock Kind). Owned by the Salty Syndicate and the rider.
- Elizabeth Power and Senza Fine – Eleven-year-old Italian Sport Horse mare (Lakota x Launeddas, by Rheingold de Luyne). Owned Therese Miller and the rider.
- Michael Ryan and Barnahown Corn Hill – Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Chinook Eclipse x Mats Lady, breeding unknown). Owned by Carol and Tom Henry.
- Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty – Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Orestus VDL x Edge of Reason, by Senang Hati). Owned by James O’Callaghan.
- Sam Watson and Ballybolger Talisman – Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Puissance x Ali Row, by All Royal). Owned by Hannah and Julia Watson.
