THE Dublin Horse Show is full of memorable moments that are recounted in reports by equestrian journalists over the years. This story about the Cavan-born competitor Paddy Callaghan proves that there were other people who made a name for themselves from Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan other than Paddy Reilly, about whom the song ‘Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff’ was written by balladeer and artist Percy French.

Stanislaus Lynch, the great author, journalist and commentator, who was hunting and shows correspondent for The Irish Field and also from Ballyjamesduff, recorded a story in his book Hounds are Running about a man he knew through his father from his home parish Carnin near Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan by the name of Paddy Callaghan, a well-known horseman about the turn of the last century.

The story begins with another man by the name of Hughie Grey, a well-known horse producer from Ryefield, Virginia, Co Cavan, who owned many of the best show jumping horses in the area including two mares named Motor Car, who headed the winners’ table at Irish shows for a number of years, and another mare named Mignionette. Callaghan was the first-choice rider of horses in the Cavan area as he competed at all the main horse shows such as Cavan, Ballyjamesduff, Castleblayney, Castlepollard, Cootehill, and Oldcastle for owners in the area including Stanislaus Lynch’s father, Tommy.

Stanislaus Lynch; horse breeder, author, journalist, poet and commentator

The Dublin Horse Show

At the time the main arena in the Dublin Horse Show looked very different as it had a variety of natural obstacles that one would meet on any hunting day including a single bank, a big double bank along by the Anglesea Stand side, and a stone wall, as well as an imposing hedge with water on the landing side. Motor Car had a good track record at the Dublin Horse Show, having already won classes in previous years with Paddy Callaghan on board.

Lynch recalls probably the most spectacular appearance of Motor Car and Mignionette, both ridden by Paddy Callaghan, at the Dublin Horse Show when Motor Car won the class and Mignionette was second. The riders and horses went up to the Judges Stand to receive their prizes with Paddy Callaghan riding Motor Car and leading Mignionette alongside. Next was the customary lap of honour but Paddy had other intentions, deciding instead to face the two horses for the first fence!

Lynch takes up the story in his own words. “The crowds were speechless when they realised his intention, but they went wild with excitement when he cleared the first fence with the two horses. They thought that he would pull up after that and not attempt the single bank, but Paddy cared for neither man nor devil, and flicked across it in a flash. He steadied his two horses, tried, I suppose, to get them going on the correct foot, and both of them rose together at the big stone wall.

By this time, the crowds were cheering frantically and they thought the display was over, but Paddy swung his horses around in perfect unison and turned to tackle the three fences on the return journey. A hush fell on the excited spectators.

Tom Carr illustrated Paddy Callaghan's achievements with Mignionette and Motor Car

Two horses jumping the same gate could take a terrific spill if their take-off timing was not perfectly synchronised. But they were, and they flew it together. Then the crowds thought that surely no one would attempt to jump the big double bank with two horses!

“It’s a big enough proposition with one, but to lead a second horse alongside seemed impossible. But few things are impossible to a man with his heart in the right place, and Paddy cleared that big lump of Tipperary Bank without losing a stride. Speed was needed for the last fence, and Mignionette responded gamely to Motor Car’s spurt, and stride for stride they sailed like mating swallows across those 15 feet of hedge and water.”

So when we hear about some of the magnificent displays of horsemanship that are performed nowadays at the Dublin Horse Show, both by our international civilian and military jumping teams, it is pleasant to recall one of the most spectacular displays ever given in the Main Arena of the Dublin Horse Show: when Paddy Callaghan, from Ballyjamesduff, rode Hughie Grey’s Motor Car, and skilfully led Mignionette alongside, and jumped the pair of them over every fence on the course!

This needless to say could not happen today!

Footnote: Paddy Callaghan emigrated to America after his dramatic display at the Dublin Horse Show but his name and his feats of horsemanship are forever immortalised by Lynch in his book, Hounds are Running. Artist Tom Carr (1909-1999) was the illustrator of many of Lynch’s books, and the sketch above of Paddy Callaghan and his two horses. Another of Lynch’s illustrators was Olive Whitmore, who hand illustrated Dublin Horse Show posters that are still for sale in the RDS Library as well as Lynch’s book on the memorable story, From Foal to Tally Ho!

This article is taken from The Irish Field’s Dublin Horse Show Magazine 2026. Order your copy HERE