THERE was scarcely room in the large car park at Kildare’s Emerald Equestrian Centre last Saturday as several hundred breeders turned out for the inaugural Sport Horse and Thoroughbred Stallion Show.
Organised by a small group of breeders, led by Mark Bolger and Michael Doherty, the event was open to all sport horse and thoroughbred stallions available to Irish breeders.
Of the 36 stallions entered, 34 were presented on the day after two entries picked up knocks in advance of the show. Each participating stud farm was allocated a trade stand and were joined by numerous other business servicing the equine industry in Ireland.
The first stallion, Anngrove Stud’s thoroughbred Aiken, paraded at 12pm sharp. Session 1 saw each of the 34 stallions presented in-hand, in running order, for their allocated five-minute time slot.
Michael Doherty provided a commentary on each stallion’s performance, progeny and pedigree information, while also giving each stallion owner an opportunity to advise breeders on suitable mare types and stud fee conditions.
Two former Olympic Games showjumpers, Kennedy Equine Centre’s Vivant and The Stallion Company’s Parco, were presented with a personalised sash in recognition of their Olympian status. Both horses received a round of applause from the breeders and spectators gathered around the ring.
A short intermission was followed by Session 2, where eight of the stallions returned to be presented under saddle. Following each performance, the rider was also given the opportunity to speak about their respective mount, which gave breeders an added insight into what each potential sire was like to ride.
BGS Ocean View at the Stallion Show (Photo: Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media)
Riders taking part in Session 2 included Edward Doyle, Damien Griffin, Sinead Kennedy, Daren Hopkins, Coraline Vallini and Caitie Slater. The event concluded at approximately 5.30pm.
Michael Doherty told The Irish Field: ”I regularly travel to breeding events and stallion shows in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Holland and France.
“They don’t just offer breeders an opportunity to see stallions, it’s also an excellent opportunity to socialise and network within our industry. We felt it was important that Irish breeders enjoyed the same opportunities as our continental counterparts.
“This event was organised and run by breeders. It’s just one example of what can be achieved when we work together, as fellow breeders, and as an industry. As an industry, we can be quick to run ourselves down.
“I feel this event showed that we have some excellent facilities and stallions available to us and that if an event is well communicated to the industry, it will be strongly supported.
“The volume of calls and messages following the event has been truly incredible. It feels like it’s given the sport horse breeding sector a new lease of life! We will let the dust settle before deciding if this will become an annual event.
“While there were issues with the sound system and the length of queues for the catering, the resounding message from the industry is that they want a this event to return in 2020,” Doherty added.
WHAT THEY SAID
John Varley (Centennial & Elusive Emir): “The opportunity the parade gave to stallion owners was invaluable. It takes a lot of time and effort to promote and progress a stallion’s career.
“However, the concept of this event gives breeders an opportunity to see the stallions for what they are.”
Carmel Ryan (Creme de la Creme Z): ”Last Saturday’s Sport Horse and Thoroughbred Stallion Show heralded the beginning of a new era of forward thinking for the horse industry. It showed the serious appetite that exists for the future of horse breeding. A great tribute to all who made this day the success it was. There was a wonderful exchange of information, in a very pleasant atmosphere, at this great venue.”
Mandy Driesch (Grand Marnier): ”The organisers did an outstanding job, from start to finish, providing an equal opportunity to every stallion owner. I hope it becomes an annual thing. It’s something really unique and as a stallion owner I can honestly say that this was the most enjoyable stallion show I ever attended. It was also a fabulous opportunity for junior rider Caitie Slater, to explore something different to a competition environment. Absolutely loved every second.”
Andrew Hughes (breeder): “To see so many stallions, turned out to a very high standard, in the one place was fantastic. There were stallions to suit every mare. The event ran on time, in order and was very professional. It gave breeders an insight into what each stallion will add to their mare. Hopefully this event will grow year on year and rival what is already done in the major breeding countries in Europe.”
John Cusack (Clonaslee Captain Cristo): ”The stallion parade was a resounding success for our stallion Clonaslee Captain Cristo. I’m overwhelmed by the response he received from breeders and we are looking forward to the mares that are coming to him off the back of the event.
“Congratulations to everyone involved. Looking forward to 2020!”
Mary McCann (Cruising Arish & Cruising Encore): “Thanks to the organisers of the stallion show last Saturday. Very well done. With that amount of stallions in one place, it was good to see so many experienced stewards, who knew their jobs, run this show without incident. Congratulations!”
Edward Doyle puts Cruising Arish, one of the two Cruising clones, through his paces at the show (Photo: Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media)
Thomas Conlon (breeder): ”This unique event had the very best of stallions standing in Ireland today. As a breeder, it was a great opportunity to critique stallions and discuss my options with fellow breeders and stallion owners. It’s vital for the breeding industry that we continue to have inspiring events like this to showcase our current and future breeding stars.”
Damien Griffin (rider – Ganesh Hero Z):
“Very professional and safely run event, in a super location. A few small tweaks and the event is only going to get bigger and better, with the enthusiastic people that are involved in running it.”