LAST Sunday’s Met Eireann yellow weather alert proved no deterrent to a large crowd of interested spectators that travelled from as far afield as Armagh to West Cork for a hugely successful stallion parade at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

Organised by the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association (IDHBA), its mission was to showcase a range of Irish Draught, thoroughbred and Connemara stallions at the start of the breeding season. The traditional angle proved to be the unique selling point of this inaugural event, which now looks firmly set to be an annual February fixture.

Some 29 stallions, which had all gone through the Horse Sport Ireland or Connemara Pony Breeders Society inspections, were on view. With a well-flagged start time of 12 noon closely adhered to, the clockwork-like ran event saw the final Irish Draught stallion paraded by 3.30pm, which gave the majority of owners and spectators ample time to travel home before the weather alert kicked in at 6pm.

Both Coolin House Stud and Bridge House Stud were doubly represented with Centennial first up amongst the opening group of thoroughbreds and his 2015 Croker Cup winner Elusive Emir was the second of John Varley’s entries.

Trevor Badger brought along his pair of Let The Lion Roar and Sirillio, explaining that Let The Lion Roar’s ‘winter woollies’ were on account of the stallion spending the winter running out with mares, although his and the general turnout standard was a credit to connections.

Tommy McMahon’s Glen Moss, approved at Cavan last year and Felim MacEoin’s Road To Happiness were two more Galway-based thoroughbreds on show, while the 2017-approved Primary was the first of several Drumhowan Stud’s team shown throughout the afternoon by a busy Thomas Quigley.

The youngest horse of this opening group was Ann Lambert’s Jack The Robin, approved at Cavan in 2018 and the five-year-old son of their late Robin de la Maison has really developed since.

Democrat is a recent addition to approved Irish Sport Horse stallion ranks, on account of his 2019 performance record and the Lee Johnston and F.L McDowell-owned distinctive grey, was part of Route Hunt’s 200th anniversary meet this winter.

Two Connemaras – Deirdre Keegan’s dun 3DR Gabha Oir and Michael Duffy’s former show jumper Sillogue Maximus, owned by the Briscoe family – were the native ponies on view.

The range of types seen within the Irish Draught breeds was evident at Mullingar and brought home the need for mare owners to see stallions in the flesh to make the best match. While most spectators were familiar with the majority of entries, seen at the Cavan inspections and Dublin, Mullingar provided another viewing option.

Dermot O'Brien (left) and the Mannion family with their Windgap Reliance at the IDHBA stallion parade at Mullingar Equestrian Centre \ Susan Finnerty

Has the edge

“Comparing Mullingar and Dublin, I think Mullingar might just have the edge as it was easier on the spectators to engage with stallion owners and get up close to the stallions themselves,” remarked Brian Murphy, who showed Sean Barker’s Dublin performance and working hunter triple champion Gortfree Lakeside Lad.

Brian’s father Michael showed his own Ballylarkin Silver, one of a platoon of grey Irish Draughts. Others included Kenny and Wendy Bell’s Castleview Inisfree Farmer, David and Niamh Doyle’s Cloncastle Silver Squire, Richard and Siorcha Redmond’s Clooneen Sea King, Liam Lynskey’s DS Ballagh Bouncer, Jimmy McNally’s Dunbeggan Grey Mist, Denis O’Brien’s Goldsmithcountry Oliver, MD Sandyhill Sport Horses’ Hollypark Diamond, Seamus Duffy’s Kilmovee White Hero, Sean and Christine Searson’s Lismullen Royal Star, Roy Butler’s Millhollow Real McCoy, Paddy Scarry’s Mountain Diamond and the Mannion family’s Windgap Reliance.

The liver chesnut pair of P.J Fitzpatrick’s Carrabawn Cross and Liam Lynskey’s Knockaleery Dancer, Judith and Russell Cowley’s dun Cloneyhea Paddy and the Drumhowan Stud-based roan Dunsandle Diamond completed the Irish Draught line-up.

Drumhowan Stud's Gladys McArdle with Thomas Quigley, who showed several of the stud's stallions at the IDHBA parade

\ Susan Finnerty

Winning formula

No amount of planning can guarantee atmosphere and that was certainly a welcome feature of the afternoon. Between ample parking and catering facilities, including Eileen Brennan’s famous hospitality stand, an excellent colour brochure, tradestands, (Patricia Shortt won the Bluegrass Feeds raffle prize) and a unanimous vote by stallion owners, spoken to afterwards, about returning in 2021 with stallions, this event is a winner.

Several overseas Irish Draught and traditional horse fans have already pencilled in the event for 2021. Perhaps a series of talks and workshops the previous day to make a weekend of this centrally-located event, in conjunction with the Traditional Irish Horse Association, could be added on?

“There are so many people to thank it’s hard to know where to start. I suppose the IDHBA board would be the first as their belief in the promotion of the Irish Draught horse is what spurred the event on,” its chairperson Jennifer Haverty told The Irish Field this week.

“There hasn’t been a stallion parade solely for traditional equines in recent years and the aim was to rekindle the passion for breeding from purebred Irish Draught, Connemara, thoroughbred and these traditional crosses. A massive thank you to the owners, spectators, Mullingar and the volunteers who gave up their time. The atmosphere on the day was happy, friendly, uplifting and heartwarming.

And will we do it again? Absolutely!”

What they said

“All the stallions were so well behaved in such a relaxed atmosphere. It was very well organised and everybody was so nice and I think, as a traditional stallion showcase for owners and breeders, it went down very well.” Ann Lambert.

“Definitely worthwhile, I would certainly bring one again! A great crowd and start to the season, now is the time people are scouting for stallions, so it was an ideal time to hold the parade. I showed Clooneen Sea King under side-saddle to show what a good temperament he has. In side-saddle showing you can’t compete a stallion, so it’s very hard to showcase him otherwise. And there were so many fab grey stallions, I felt it would be the easiest way for people to remember him!” Siorcha Redmond.

“Congratulations to everybody on a very well run stallion parade. Thank you to all the stallion producers who made the effort to show off their lovely stallions.” Paula Cullen.

“I thought Sunday was an excellent day, very well run and very safe. Would definitely support it again next year.Brian Murphy.