The Equipeople AIRC National Eventing Championships took place on Sunday at Killossery Lodge, bringing together AIRC members from across the country for a fantastic day of competition across dressage, show jumping and cross-country.

Equipeople has been placing young Europeans in equine and agricultural work experience placements throughout Ireland since 2003. We have a network of over 400 hosts who share their way of life with students that work on the farm as part of the family, while learning and experiencing the Irish way of life and its culture. Students should go home with a comprehensive understanding of Irish farming and our agricultural way of life. We also expect that our host farmers will have learnt from the students, both agriculturally and culturally.

A total of 71 riders, 76 horses and 37 clubs took part in this year’s championships, making for a busy and exciting day of competition as riders battled it out across the three phases for national honours.

From the opening dressage tests through to the show jumping and the final challenge of the cross-country course, there was plenty of competitive riding throughout the day. The championships also showcased the versatility of AIRC members, with combinations competing across the Championship, Young Horse, Open and Combined Training classes.

Killcarrick Retain National Team Title

There was double celebration for Killcarrick Riding Club, who successfully defended their AIRC National Eventing Team Championship title for the second consecutive year.

The winning team of Richard Hunter, Anna Kerins, Louise Begley and Carolann Dowling finished on a team total of 101.50, securing back-to-back national team titles for the club.

1st – Killcarrick – 101.50
Richard Hunter – Lady Lux Dignified – 33.90
Anna Kerins – The Same Again (IRE) – 41.20
Louise Begley – Tara Durrow Magic – 31.70
Carolann Dowling – Bonita Bay (IRE) – 35.90

2nd – Foxborough – 106.30
Harriet Aveling – The Minx – 34.20
Anna Duane – Don’t Tell Mum – 38.80
Naomi Bates – Tabasco Rose – 33.30

3rd – Calliaghstown – 108.50
Suzanne McGee – Twos Company – 34.40
Gill Phipps – Kildandan Emperor – 38.90
Joanna Phipps – MBF Pearl – 35.20

4th – Castle Hill – 110.10
5th – Mill Road – 119.40
6th – Earl’s Well – 128.80

Congratulations to everyone on the Killcarrick team on retaining the title and achieving an impressive two-in-a-row at the National Eventing Championships.

National Championship Classes

RC100 Championship

The RC100 Championship was won by Fran Denny and Lloydsboro Lady of Mill Road, who finished on a score of 31.80.

2nd: Aoife Farrelly – Riverdale Bouncer – Mo Chara – 32.60
3rd: Richard Hunter – Lady Lux Dignified – Killcarrick – 33.90
4th: Harriet Aveling – The Minx – Foxborough – 34.20
5th: Suzanne McGee – Twos Company – Calliaghstown – 34.40
6th: Kate O’Driscoll – Ardkilly Lukes Charmer – Earl’s Well – 36.50

Fran said about his win –

Eventing is my favorite sport as it requires skill in three different disciplines and gives great value for your day out.
Since I started Eventing my goal was to try to improve my Dressage scores because I feel that a good score would give me a big advantage before tackling the show jumping and cross country.
I like show jumping but I am always a little nervous that I will make a mistake and knock, but once the Dressage and show jumping are over I breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the exhilaration of the cross country.
On Sunday for the National Eventing Championships I rode our home bred 7 year old mare from an Irish thoroughbred Dam and a full Irish Draught Sire.
She is a little spicy and could remove you from the saddle in an instant but she is a machine at cross country and has a kind nature.
My daughter Jennifer is my biggest inspiration for continuing the sport and she regularly gives me tips and advice. We compete with and against each other which keeps it rather interesting at times but it is really special for me to have such a close relationship with her.
It was always my dream to win the National Eventing Championship and I still can hardly believe that my dream has finally come through. It makes all the effort and hardship worthwhile and goes to show that we should never give up on our dreams.
It was such a pleasure to meet so many lovely people and compete against such talented competitors on the day.
Thank you to the AIRC for organising this wonderful event and to Killosery for hosting it, I will be back next year to try to do the double!

RC90 Championship

The RC90 Championship saw Claire Maher and Tinnakill Jackpot of Killcarrick take the national title on a score of 31.50.

2nd: Louise Begley – Tara Durrow Magic – Killcarrick – 31.70
3rd: Claudia Culloty – Deedoora Uisce – Clonshire – 35.10
4th: Joanna Phipps – MBF Pearl – Calliaghstown – 35.20
5th: Eimear D’Arcy – Sharragh Watermill – Greenhills – 36.50
6th: Emma O’Connor – Acrefield Enzo – Benbulben – 38.20

Claire said about her win –

I was absolutely delighted to compete on sun after a 2yr break from eventing we only got our 1st spin xc the week before in Killossery.

To win this championship was beyond my wildest dreams. I’m extremely lucky to have a very honest talented an willing horse.

He’s so versatile after competing in small hunter classes the last couple of months to come out an jump clear xc within the time to secure the win is amazing.

He was also crowned young horse champion at the dressage championships 3yrs ago so he obviously likes riding club championships.

RC80 Championship

The RC80 Championship went to Rebecca Matthews and Benvarden Dakota of Castle Hill, who produced an excellent winning score of 25.00.

2nd: Yvonne Hughes – Puzzle Pop – Drynam – 31.80
3rd: Cora Steemers – CW Woodford – Earl’s Well – 33.00
4th: Naomi Bates – Tabasco Rose – Foxborough – 33.30
5th: Carolann Dowling – Bonita Bay (IRE) – Killcarrick – 35.90
6th: Elaine Mulligan – DMF Alphabet – Castle Hill – 40.80

Other Classes

The Open and Young Horse classes provided further competitive action, with riders producing some excellent performances across the three phases.

Young Horse

The Young Horse Championship was won by Sandra Phipps and Oyster Pearl of Calliaghstown, finishing on an impressive 29.80.

2nd: Kate O’Driscoll – Ardkilly New Venture – Earl’s Well – 34.00
3rd: Katelyn Doughan – Clondee Bianca – Slieve Bloom – 37.20
4th: Deirdre O’Loughlin – Kilmanahan Detroit – Cill Dara – 41.60
5th: Stephanie Cunningham – Ballymacadam Bfm Lily – Lismore – 43.00
6th: Rachel Muldoon – Cruising At Sixty – Headfort – 47.60

RC90 Open

The RC90 Open was won by Diane Baylis and Lilly Dane of Tynagh on a score of 38.10.

2nd: Fiona Fitton – Banagher Big Flash – Earl’s Well – 41.00
3rd: Jennifer Denny – Wild Duchess – Mill Road – 41.40
4th: Sally Cunningham – Pi Ahio – Tara Hill – 43.30
5th: Shawna Waters – Bobbys Blanket – Enniskerry – 48.20

RC80 Open

Abbie Jane Weston and Tierhogar Seve of Annaharvey took the RC80 Open with a score of 42.60.

2nd: Brenda McGrath – Dromsligo Carrie – Clonshire – 44.60
3rd: Meabh Keating – Ballycumisk George – Arderin – 50.30
4th: Lauryn Faulker – Banjo I – Killcarrick – 56.30
5th: Cara Miller – Emperor of the Glebe – Tara Hill – 57.10
6th: Lynsey Rogers – Oreo Lad – Headfort – 57.30

RC70 Combined Training

The RC70 Combined Training class was won by Patrick Deegan and Last Masterpiece of Ballycanew, finishing on 42.20.

Thank You to Equipeople

The AIRC would like to extend a sincere thank you to Equipeople, who sponsored the classes at this year’s National Eventing Championships.

We were delighted to have Iola Kawala and Donna Dunne from Equipeople onsite at Killossery Lodge throughout the championships. Their presence and support were greatly appreciated, and it was fantastic to have them at the event meeting competitors and members throughout the day.

The support of sponsors such as EquiPeople plays an important role in helping the AIRC provide opportunities for members to compete at national level, and we are very grateful for their support of this year’s championships.

A huge thank you goes to the volunteers, officials, scorers, judges and everyone behind the scenes who helped make the championships run so smoothly.

Finally, our thanks go to Killossery Lodge for hosting the 2026 AIRC National Eventing Championships and providing a fantastic setting for the competition.