THE Irish Draught Horse Breeders’ Association (IDHBA) Laois Branch Annual Show enjoyed another successful renewal in the magnificent surroundings of Stradbally Hall last Sunday, held by kind permission of the Cosby family.

The day began with three youngstock classes, showcasing quality horses professionally presented to judges Robert Dreaper and Pat Hoare. The Champion from this section was PJ and Majella Glynn’s home-bred Crannaghmore Lucky Dip, a two-year-old filly by Moylough Legacy, out of Edenagor Rosie. The Reserve Champion was Niamh Condell’s Lady Maebh, a three-year-old filly, by Gortfree Lakeside Lad, out of Lady Dolanne, bred by Niamh’s parents, Declan and Sheila Condell.

The Irish Draught Mare class was won by another home-bred, James Heery’s Derig Aingel, an 11-year-old by Innisfree The Holy Grail out of Killcotton Opal. The Barren or Stinted Mare class was won by Coolestown Irish Draughts’ Gortfree Queen, a five-year-old by Gortfree Hero out of DS Bounce With Me Lady, who was bred by Michael McHugh. Gortfree Queen went on to stand Champion Mare, and Derig Aingel was Reserve.

The foal champion came from the fillies’ division, Donal Goland’s filly foal by Clogheen Captain Jack, out of Ballinglen Christine, with Sophie Marks’ colt foal by Heigh Ho Dubh out of Lilys Lucky Penny in the Reserve spot.

The prestigious Breeders’ Championship was won by young breeder Sophie Marks, who secured victory in this class with her mare Lilys Lucky Penny and her colt foal by Heigh Ho Dubh at foot.

Show Chairman Tim Wilson said: “It was wonderful to see Sophie and Lilys Lucky Penny win the Breeders’ Championship. Sophie and Penny won the inaugural running of this championship in 2019, when Penny was a foal alongside her dam, Barbervilla Lily. To see her return as a broodmare and win the title again is exactly what Irish Draught breeding should be about - preserving bloodlines, rewarding breeders and celebrating the next generation.” The Supreme in-hand Champion of the Day was Gortfree Queen, with Donal Goland’s filly foal standing in Reserve.

Ridden and performance

Classes for Irish Draughts, Traditional Irish Horses and Thoroughbreds attracted strong entries, making it a busy day for judges Mary Ann Casey and Geraldine Berney. Winner of the younger ridden Irish Draught class was Galway’s Maria McNamara with her five-year-old gelding Shanbally Pippalo Pat, by Cappa Aristocrat out of Roundtower Blue and bred by Martin Donnellan. The older ridden Irish Draught class saw a popular winner in Mary Rothwell with her own Greenhall Stroll In The Park, by Millhollow Stroller, out of Benbo Hero, who was bred by P Fitzpatrick. Mary enjoyed a very successful weekend, qualifying for the side-saddle class in Dublin Horse Show the previous day with the gelding.

The Irish Draught Performance Hunter class was won by Helen Keatley’s Mollywee Gra Mo Chroi, a four-year-old gelding by Inisfree The Holy Grail out of Mollywee Dallas Girl, who was bred by Dominic Cassidy. Shanbally Pippalo Pat went on to stand Champion Ridden Irish Draught, with Greenhall Stroll In The Park in the Reserve spot.

The TIH classes were very well supported, with Tania Rafter’s Hamish Fieldmaster coming out on top in the Ridden class. This four-year-old gelding is by Steppe Dancer (TB) out of Windgap Royal Ruby, who was bred by Michael and Chris Mannion. In second place was Victoria Teuton with Shauneen Roger’s Shannaghmore Silver Lining, a mare by Ceide Prince out of Greek Easter, who was bred by Shane Jones.

Hamish Fieldmaster and Shannaghmore Silver Lining then went on to stand Champion and Reserve TIH at the show.

Amy Finn won the TIH Performance class for the second year running, with her home-bred mare Goldfield Rebel, by Rebel Mountain out of Orbit Jewel. This combination are also qualified for Dublin in the TIH Working Hunter class. As the show concluded, Branch Secretary and IDHBA Honorary President Eiline Brennan paid tribute to the huge volunteer effort required to stage this event every year.

“Events like this simply do not happen without volunteers. We are incredibly fortunate in the Laois Branch to have members and families, who give up so much of their time before, during and after the show. From setting up rings to stewarding, catering and administration, people work tirelessly behind the scenes, and we are really grateful to everyone who played a part.”

The Laois Branch also acknowledged the generous support of its sponsors, including Pegus Horse Feed, the Traditional Irish Horse Association, Treo Eile, Endurance Ireland, Carrafarm Irish Horses and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Their continued backing helps ensure that breeders and owners have opportunities to showcase their horses, while promoting Ireland’s national breed.