A GREAT weekend for Fiona Doggett got even better when Grainne III was crowned working hunter champion at the 2017 Association of Irish Riding Clubs’ Festival. The Mill Road member won both the class for Intermediate riders and also that for cobs and small hunters en route to the title decider.

Only three others appeared for the championship, Boyneside’s Jane Richardson who had been second in the Intermediate class with her seven-year-old KEC Bluejay Diamond gelding Bright Like A Diamond (third in the Irish Draught performance class), Mosstown’s Tom Whyte with his Mohill Cavalier Clover mare Ardagh Epic, winner of the four and five-year-old class, and Pamela Jackman winner of the Advanced Intermediate/Open/Advanced Open class for Boru’s with her seven-year-old Lancelot gelding Sir Lance.

Doggett was beaming when called forward into the position of champion on Grainne III, with Whyte taking the reserve sash on his home-bred five-year-old. Since leaving her job at the Irish National Stud, Doggett has started working for Boomerang Equine Services in Thurles alongside fellow Mill Road member Orla McKevitt, who had an excellent weekend with Kilkarney Hero.

As the curtain comes down on yet another successful festival, praise should go to all members of the organising committee but particularly the AIRC chairman Tony Ennis who works tirelessly to ensure others enjoy themselves.