Matthew Kelly achieved the highest score in the Novice DI21 class at the South East Region of Dressage Ireland's opening fixture of 2026, held at Sika Equestrian. The event featured competitions across various levels, with judges Mark Ruddock and Lynne Cassidy overseeing the proceedings. Riders competed in tests from Preliminary to FEI Grand Prix, showcasing a range of horses.
The South East Region of Dressage Ireland kicked off its 2026 season on February 27 at Sika Equestrian, where participants praised the venue's surfaces. Judges included Mark Ruddock, chairperson of Dressage Ireland and a List 1 judge with British Dressage, and Lynne Cassidy, chairperson of the South East Region and a List 3 judge.
In the Preliminary DI6, judged by Cassidy, Rita Naughton earned the top mark of 71.92% riding the eight-year-old Oldenburg mare Diamant’s Babalou, sired by Dembele L out of Babalou by Balou du Rouet. Naughton's daughter, Katie, secured a family achievement by winning the Trailblazer Under 12s with 67.5% on the nine-year-old piebald gelding Whitewell Oreo.
The Novice DI21 class saw 11 entries, with Ruddock awarding his highest score of 71.90% to Matthew Kelly aboard the six-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Tullabeg Fernando, bred by Nick Cousins and by Hiello out of Carmelito Tilly by Tannerhofs Carmelito S.
Pippa Dunne took the Junior Novice DI21 with 72.07% on her mother Helen’s 11-year-old Connemara mare Meelicks River, bred by Mike Russell and by Buachaill Órga out of Meelick’s Golden Girl by Burren Rocket.
Ava Mooney rode uncontested to 70% in the Junior Preliminary DI6 on the eight-year-old Connemara gelding Christopher Columbus, bred by Tommy Feeney and by Kippure Columbus out of Island Heather by Coosheen Thyme.
Single-entry classes included Ellen Mooney scoring 65.16% in Medium DI65 on the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Mariposa; Samara Mulder at 60.88% in Advanced Medium DI90 on Ellen Carroll’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding Igor W; and Sorrell Klatzko with 64.14% in FEI Grand Prix on her Westphalian gelding Turbo.
In the FEI Junior team test, Co Tipperary’s Evie Kennedy scored 64.09% on her mother Maeve’s 23-year-old Spanish-bred gelding Cordobes XXXVI, edging out Mooney’s 61.97% on Mariposa. Millie Cosgrave was the sole entrant in the FEI Children on Horses test, scoring 67.17% on Let’s Dance and 65.77% on Hotshot.
The region plans its next show at Sika Equestrian on March 28, followed by events at Barnadown in late May and June, and a two-day Classic on August 2-3.