BELGOOLY celebrated not only what’s good about horses, ponies and agricultural but also its 75th anniversary show last weekend amid fine weather.
Founded by John Dix and Marigold Slocock in 1941, Belgooly celebrated this milestone year with the cutting of a beautiful cake by show chairman John Stanley and show president Michael Ahern to mark this very special occasion. Primary schoolchildren also designed a special 75th anniversary card which was on display throughout the show and added greatly to the 800 exhibits in the extended bakery, floral, photography and art and crafts section.
There were thrills and great spectator fun as the Mounted Games Association held their national competitions on the day. The Irish team are the reigning World Team Champions after retaining the title in Belgium last year and it lent itself to great spectator viewing!
Winners
For the second successive year in the equine classes, Seamus Lehane’s Ballard Peaches and Cream took home the champion broodmare ribbon, while Leap’s Patrick O’Sullivan won the champion foal with Leap Future 3.
Leap’s Billy Twomey won the champion young horse with Frenchfort Chill, while Deirdre Connolly won the working hunter horse trophy with Fairytale. Fiona Leahy, Riverstick, had a very successful day winning the champion hunter award followed by the supreme horse award with Totally Dun.
In the ponies, Dunmanway’s Alan and Ellie Duggan won the champion led pony with Coosheen Jack while Drimoleague’s Saoirse Keohane took home the Cecil Gash cup for champion working hunter pony with Breenybeg Dolly. The champion starter stakes pony went to Leah Robinson Kingston, Nohoval, with Kilmacabea Heartbreaker.
The Greene family from Clonmel had a very successful maiden visit to Belgooly when Imogen Lawless-Greene won the mini pony championship on Mountain Ash of Glendhu, while her older sister Emily Lawless-Greene on Lehenagh Nellie won the champion ridden pony. Both sisters contested the supreme pony with Emily and Lehenagh Nellie being declared supreme pony champions while Imogen and Mountain Ash of Glendhu took the reserve award.