Sillogue Darkie
From 2003, where – as a young pony with Alexander Butler aboard – the duo burst to the fore of Irish Pony Jumping, to the wonderful year of 2009 – under Galwayman Michael Duffy – Sillogue Darkie has represented the Connemara breed and Irish ponies in general with equal distinction. In what is surely an unparalleled feat, Sillogue Darkie has qualified for the prestigious 148cm All Ireland Championship at the RDS seven years in a row. This achievement is all the more outstanding considering the numerous riders involved. All in all, nearly one thousand Show Jumping Ireland points have been accumulated by Darkie in his career to date.
The highlights of his first big year back in 2003 included: First Place in the National Championships (held at the European Championships event at Necarne Castle, N.Ireland) and Second Place in the RDS 148cm ‘A’ All-Ireland Championship. Other domestic results included Grand Prix wins at Cavan, Kells, Mullingar, Killossery, Newbridge and the Kill International Show to name but a few. In their first international outing against the best ponies in Europe the pair came First in the Gazette de Liege Trophy in Liege, Belgium.
In 2004, with Benny Kuehnle as pilot, Sillogue Darkie came back and won the 148cm ‘A’ All-Ireland Championship at the RDS, a famous double was achieved one week later when they were placed First in the Millstreet Grand Prix. Finishing Second in the Pony Super League at Belfast International Show, the treble of Dublin, Cork and Belfast was narrowly denied by less than a second. Abroad they were also victorious, finishing First in the English Home Pony International Grand Prix. At the famous Arezzo venue in Tuscany, Northern Italy, the pair won the Nations Cup with the Irish team, incredibly with no discard score as only three ponies were available to compete. At the same venue they also placed Fourth in the Grand Prix.
In 2005, and this time pairing with David Blake, the winning form continued. The pair took part in the Irish victory at the Coupe des Nations in Fontainebleau, France and placed Third in the CSIOP Grand Prix at the same venue. Among their notable other achievements for 2005 was winning the Wales & West Home Counties International, being placed First again in Millstreet, third in the 148cm ‘A’ All-Ireland Championship at the RDS and competing with the Irish show-jumping team that placed Second at Verona, Italy in the Nations Cup.
Success in the 2006 and 2007 seasons were curtailed by a viral illness. However, despite this, Darkie still managed to participate (with David Blake) at the European Championships, in Saumur, France. In 2007, under Galway native Jessica Burke, Sillogue Darkie went on to win a bronze medal with the Irish team at the European Championships in Freudenberg, Germany.
In 2008, and again with Jessica Burke, Sillogue Darkie dominated the Irish Premier Pony League, finishing far ahead of their nearest rivals with Grand Prix wins at Louth County Show, Ballymena and Mullingar. In addition to being the Leading Pony of the Year the highlight for the Briscoe family was their Darkie being selected by the Council of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society to become a member of the Connemara Pony Hall of Fame.
With new rider Micheal Duffy on board in 2009, the Connemara gelding started the season by coming Third in the Louth County Show and then winning the RDS Qualifier at Cavan Equestrian Centre. One week later at the European Trials in Barnadown the pair incredibly achieved three days of clear rounds at the highest International standards. This was followed by finishing joint second as part of the Irish Team in the Nations Cup in Wierden, Holland. Keeping this form at the CSIP Grand Prix in Neeroeteren, Belgium Darkie finished Second, narrowly edged out of victory by just 0.77 of a second.
The undoubted highlight was playing a key role in the Irish team bringing home the Silver medals from the European Championships in Moorsele, Belgium last summer and then finishing Seventh in the Individual European Championship Competition. In addition this famous Connemara was the recipient of the Horse Sport Ireland sponsored Overall Leading Premier League Pony in 2009 for the second consecutive season.
This pony has already won the Silver and Bronze at European level – we can only wait in anticipation for the complete set, when Sillogue Darkie is finally crowned with the Individual Gold medal he truly deserves. Congratulations, well done, and best wishes for the future to Darkie and the Briscoe family!
