BREEDER Patrick Connolly and The Irish Field contributor Susan Finnerty were recipients of Clarecastle Medals at last Sunday’s show.

Just the previous Sunday, James Kann Cruz, bred by Connolly, won the Falsterbo Grand Prix with Shane Sweetnam, who sent a special message to the horse’s breeder (see show report pages 82-83).

“Watching a horse you bred compete on a winning Irish team in the Aga Khan Nation’s Cup is a dream for Irish breeders. James Kann Cruz made that dream come true for you,” show chairman Michael Slattery said at the presentation ceremony, attended by DAFM Minister of State Timmy Dooley T.D and Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan.

It was the second award this year for Susan, who received a Contribution to the Breed award from the IDHBA in February, in addition to Creative Marketing and Outstanding Contribution to the Industry awards during her previous career with Failte Ireland.

“From time to time, various people become synonymous with a particular sport when their voice and personality become the symbol of that sport. Such a person is Susan Finnerty through her work in The Irish Field and the Farmer’s Journal.

“She has promoted the Irish horse at home and abroad as she travels the globe in our search for a new story about the noble horse.

“Her now-famous Breeders 10 series in The Irish Field is one of the most-read columns every week. She was the brainchild of the popular series: West of the Shannon, Horsemen and Horsewomen of Ireland and Horse of a Lifetime. Her reports on show horses and breeders, together with her unrivalled photos, have made a significant contribution to the promotion of the Irish horse.”