THE 57th Co Londonderry Horse Breeding Society annual Clydesdale foal show takes place on Saturday, December 13th, within Ballymena Livestock Market where the judge for the day will be Terry Edge from Wrexham in Wales.

While most interest will centre on the foal championship, there will be classes for all ages of horses followed by the Bradwell Clydesdales young handlers’ competition, which will be held after the overall championship. Entries for all classes can be made on the day.

Well-known as a supporter of all branches of equestrianism and racing throughout the country, Bluegrass Horse Feeds (through Kenneth Irwin of A N Irwin and Sons) are among the show’s sponsors, along with Jervis Nutt, Chestnutt Animal Feeds, S H Coleman, the Millburn Veterinary Practice and Steel Farm Supplies.

The Society is indebted to J A McClelland and Sons, and their staff, for hosting the show for the 18th year at the Ballymena Livestock Market, where the gates will open at 8am with judging commencing at 10.30am.

Following the senior classes, prizes will be presented to those who participated in the 2025 young handlers’ championship, which commenced at this fixture last year and concluded at Garvagh in September. In total, 13 young handlers competed at local shows, with Finn Todd being crowned champion ahead of Matthew Patton (reserve) and Jessica Hanna (third).

No matter what happens during the day, Swatragh’s Darren and Roberta Ryan will definitely be presented with two prizes following their results in the 2025 Northern Ireland Shows Association/OB Construction Clydesdale championship.

The couple topped the points table for the second year running with their home-bred filly Hillview Amazing Grace (26), a two-year-old by Glebeview Lucky Boy out of Carnaff Rosaleen (by Bogton Flying Scott), and finished third with Macfin Flowergirl (20), their yearling filly by Muirton Sabre out of Macfin Crystal Gail (by Glebeview Sir Charles).

Castletown Coronation, a two-year-old gelding exhibited by Crumlin’s David Coulter, split the Ryan pair when finishing second with 24 points. Also placed were John Cross’s yearling filly Castletown Carla (19), Sandra Henderson’s three-year-old filly Croaghmore Daisy (15) and Geoffrey and Lesley Tanner’s yearling filly Cloghan Maisie (14).

The CLHBS’s chosen charity for 2025 is the Simon Osborne Air Ambulance NI Appeal, for which raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the day, while the Society’s popular post-show social gathering will be held in the Bush Tavern, Ballymoney, starting at 9pm.