A RECORD attendance turned out for the National Irish Draught Horse Breeders Awards, hosted by the Wicklow branch of the IDHBA, in Lynham’s Hotel, Laragh. Co Wicklow last Saturday.
Guest speaker Chris Ryan, from the famous Scarteen Hunt, spoke about the Irish Draught horse and how important the breed is for the development of the Irish sport horse industry, particularly in the eventing world.
National chairman Damian Kenny performed the honours on the night and there was great jubilation when Assagart Kingstead Fiona was announced as Show Mare of 2017. Owned by John and Margaret Roche from Foulksmills in Co Wexford, this mare was one of 18 that John and his family exhibited at country shows this year.
The Young Show Horse of the Year went to Cork’s Sean Scannall for his yearling filly by Cappa Cassanova out of the winning Castana mare.
The Performance Horse of the Year award went to King Flagmount, ridden by Wicklow owner Alicia Devlin Byrne.
SPECTATOR
Paddy Dunning from the Westmeath/Offaly branch collected the Service to the Breed award having attended shows all year both as a spectator and exhibitor. He achieved a lifelong ambition when winning a prize in the ID filly foal class at Dublin.
The outstanding achievement award went to another performance draught that won the supreme championship at the UK breed championship – Gortfree Lakeside Lad, owned by Sean Barker from Co Mayo. The horse is ridden by Brian Murphy and ridden side saddle by Linda Murphy.
Eileen Brennan of the Laois Branch was on hand to present the shield to the branch that gained most points at the national show with the honours going to the Offaly/Westmeath branch.
The Wicklow branch also made four special awards presented by branch chairman Eddie Devinish.
Deirdre Lynch and Frank Payne of Grange Fort Equestrian Enterprises in Co Leitrim were honoured for their 11 years continuous sponsorship of the branch’s annual show.
Other awards were made to Cullen Communications for their longstanding support of the branch activities.
Best performance horse and rider award for 2017 went to the versatile chesnut gelding King Flagmount having won ridden classes, performance classes and side saddle classes – a great ambassador to the breed. Alicia Devlin Byrne was on stage again to receive her second award of the evening.
An award was made to dedicated West Wicklow breeder Phil Deegan for his enthusiasm and support of the Irish Draught horse.