March 3 Day Show Report

Portmore Equestrian Centre welcomed competitors for three days of show jumping last weekend in the Bluegrass Outdoor Arena, with a busy programme of classes attracting strong entries across the board. Proceedings got underway on Friday with the height classes, before Saturday’s schedule featured further height band competitions alongside the Amateur Balmoral qualifier. The remaining young horse qualifiers and the 1.35m Balmoral qualifier brought the show to a close on Sunday. Conditions were bright, sunny and blustery throughout the weekend, but riders reported excellent jumping conditions, with very positive feedback from competitors on the course design and flowing tracks across all three days.

Several combinations also secured their coveted qualification tickets for the Balmoral Show, which takes place from this May, with strong performances across the following qualifying classes.

The amateur qualifier proved the most competitive Balmoral class of Portmore’s three-day show, attracting a strong 53 combinations, with just five qualifying places available. Caitlin Duffy [AA] came out on top with Jockeyhall Midas Touch, having won the class at Balmoral in 2025 they started the 2026 in equally strong form.  Breda Perrin [A] filled the runner-up spot aboard Lks Bianca. Gwyn Yemm [AA] secured third with Doonini Z, followed closely by Alexandra Bailey [AA] in fourth riding Callie Lvs Z. The fifth and final qualifying place went to Bernard Conlon [A] with Cove Bullet, completing the line-up of qualified combinations earning their Balmoral qualifying rosettes.

With 41 combinations coming forward and just four qualifying places available, the five-year-old qualifier at Portmore proved fiercely competitive. Shane Treanor set the standard from the outset, riding first to go with Kinmar Rustanza, the five-year-old owned by Gerry Marron, and producing a blisteringly quick round to stop the clock in 25.36 seconds. Despite the sizeable field that followed, Treanor’s early target proved unbeatable and he ultimately claimed two of the four coveted qualifying spots. Young Rider Eoghan Trainer secured the runner-up position with Marie-Therese Trainor’s Rocket V.S., ensuring his place among the qualifiers, while Treanor returned to the placings in third aboard Premier Handsome Boy owned by Dominic Rice, to add a second Balmoral ticket to his tally. The final qualifying place went to Megan McGrory, who partnered her own Le Lil Lady into fourth, rounding off a highly competitive class with limited opportunities to qualify.

Youth Talent to the Fore in Six/Seven-Year-Old Qualifier

A strong field of young horses came forward for Sunday’s six and seven-year-old handicap qualifier at Portmore, where Amanda Goldsbury produced the winning round with Cooley Economics (6yo) out of Mhs With Pleasure, owned by Cooley Farm, stopping the clock in a swift 26.59 seconds. The result marked a good day for the Cooley operation, which also supplied the third-placed Cooley Origin Blue under Brendan Murphy, meaning the well-known producers accounted for two of the four qualifying places. Youth riders also featured prominently among the placings, with Ulster young rider Ben Walsh guiding El Bayo Z into second place for owner Ronan McLaughlin, while fellow Ulster young rider Aidan O’Brien partnered the seven-year-old Stracomers Casall into fourth. Owned by Irish international Daniel Coyle, currently ninth in the Longines FEI Jumping World Rankings and a familiar competitor at Portmore earlier in his career, making it particularly pleasing to see horses from his stable continuing to be produced locally. Interestingly, six-year-olds dominated the class, filling three of the four qualifying places and underlining the quality emerging in the young horse ranks at this early stage of the season.

Mulligan Dominates first 1.35m Balmoral Qualifier

A field of 30 combinations came forward for the 1.35m Balmoral qualifier at Portmore, with just four coveted qualifying places on offer. It proved a decisive victory for John Mulligan, who was drawn 13th to go — lucky for some — and set an unbeatable target with Kathleens Candy Clover, owned by Bernard Reynolds, stopping the clock with over four seconds in hand on the rest of the field. Ellie Humphries filled the runner-up spot with Rossmount Luis, owned by Allison Mercer, while Jonathan Smyth finished third aboard Louieland, owned by Grace Cornyn. The final qualifying position went to Lisa Doogan, who partnered her own mare Cove Park into fourth to secure the final Balmoral ticket.

Portmore Equestrian Centre would like to extend sincere thanks to the many people who contributed to the smooth running of the show across the three days. Appreciation goes to the arena party and course builders, whose work ensured the arenas were presented in top condition, as well as the judges and officials who oversaw the competition.

Thanks are also due to the restaurant team who kept competitors and spectators well looked after, paramedics team ensuring any concerns were attended promptly and central to it all – our arena caller, whose efficiency helped keep the classes running smoothly throughout the weekend. Finally, Portmore would like to thank main sponsor Bluegrass Horse Feeds for their continued support, which is greatly valued and plays an important role in helping deliver successful events at the venue.