BACK in 1950, an All-Ireland Ploughing Match was held on the current Bandon Showgrounds. The proceeds from that match allowed the Bandon Agricultural and Show Society to purchase the field and revive the show. 1950 was a famously wet year and that day was noted to have been a washout. Bandon Show this year escaped with lesser rain than forecast, but a heavy shower at noon failed to dampen the spirits of a very well-attended show!

The horse and pony rings were once again a hive of activity and ran smoothly under the eyes of joint equine chairmen, Brendan O’Donovan and Cha Dullea. The latter may have been seen galloping on foot around the inaugural ‘Hobby Horse Grand National’ once the Young Horse championship had been judged. The Young Horse title went to Aidan Williamson’s two-year-old, KLF Wedding Belle. This is a home-bred filly by CC Captain Cruise.

It was poignant to see Kitty Cotter’s seat empty in the PA cabin, but it later proved to be the perfect perch for now-retired equine secretary, Rosemary Deasy to look down at a show for which she served so well for many years. One class which Rosemary took a strong interest in was the well-funded HSI Mare and Foal Progeny class. This was won by a loyal friend of the show, Wexford man John Roche, who once again made the long trip west to support the show. John’s home-bred Assagart Hopeful, by Castle Forbes Lord Lancer, and his filly foal by Call Me Number One, who also won the filly foal class, claimed the win.

Judge Aubrey Chapman unexpectedly had to come alone to do both ride and conformation judging in the Ridden Hunter Ring. He put on a valiant display of riding, despite having a surcingle strapped around four injured ribs from a recent fall. His Champion went to Glenn Knipe’s Heavyweight Hunter, Farmhill Seamist by Handsome Paddy and out of a WRS Sunrich mare. Glenn had a red ribbon day, as he also picked up a win in the four-year-olds with Adastra Lonestar by Ricardo Royale.

Aubrey had a long wait for the Working Hunter Ring to be freed up to judge the horse working hunter class. This was shared by Ciara Corkery and Val Hyde. Val was no doubt setting his sights on preparing for Midleton Show, of which he is chairman and his family have a strong connection with.

New cups

Simon Beirne had an exceptionally busy day judging the working hunter ponies. A testing track, built by Tony Hurley, allowed the ponies invaluable experience early in the season and, once again, it seems a couple of ponies were a little confused by the notion of jumping over bales of hay rather than stopping for a munch! His steward on the day was Eamon Fleming, husband to the very busy show secretary Jane. Eamon, after serving in the Working Hunter ring for many years now, very kindly donated a cup on behalf of Fleming and Barrett Solicitors. This was won by the foot-perfect Gortahork Solvig and expertly ridden by West Cork girl, Anna Hurley.

Another new cup at the show is the Mrs Anne Crowley Cup, which was presented to the overall Champion Connemara, Lucy Paphitis’s Rossduane Shadow by Black Shadow. Galloping Granny Anne Crowley had to be prised away from the hobby horse races to run another race to the other end of the field to present her new cup.

The Overall Champion Pony went to Open Mountain and Moorland winner Crumpwell Blue Rupert, owned by Leanne O’Sullivan. The O’Sullivans and their cousins, the Palmers, made it a family affair and the moms may also have been seen robbing their children’s hobby horses for a go!

The committee would like to express sincere thanks to all the sponsors and stewards on the day and, of course, to the exhibitors who all braved the cold showers.