LAST Saturday, Killusty Show celebrated its 64th renewal in the idyllic setting at the foot of Slievenamon. The show featured an impressive 93 classes and 30 championships, spread over seven rings, which required an early start for both the dedicated committee and competitors. More than 290 horses and ponies competed across the various sections, highlighting the continued popularity of the show.

Killusty welcomed judges from overseas, who travelled on to officiate at Clonmel Show the following day. They were highly complimentary of the organisation and were particularly impressed by the standard of competition and quality of the exhibits.

Each year, the committee strives to provide a varied programme of classes to ensure there is something for everyone. This year marked an exciting milestone, as Killusty hosted Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) qualifiers for ridden hunters for the first time. While entries in these classes were modest, it represented a significant achievement for a rural show and provided competitors with an excellent opportunity to qualify for the prestigious championship.

At a show renowned for encouraging pony breeding, Michelle Griffin’s Tyrrellspass Cohisse was crowned youngstock champion, with John Crowley’s Febi standing reserve.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the exceptionally strong turnout in the in-hand cob class, where nine quality cobs entered the ring, making it a remarkable spectacle for competitors and spectators alike. The class was won by Keith Martin’s Speculate to Accumulate, who went on to claim the cob championship. Fionnuala Moloney Carey’s Stroke of Genius stood reserve.

Mini ponies once again travelled to Killusty in strong numbers, thanks to the full schedule of classes available for them.

The mini show pony championship was won by Orla Whelton’s Whiteleaze Secret Temptation, ridden by Rebecca Fleming, while Anthea Steele’s Brookllan Sweet Dreams, ridden by Alice Shelly, took the reserve title. The mini show hunter pony championship went to Leanne O’Sullivan’s Rosmarche Ysgallen, ridden by Ayda O’Sullivan. Reserve honours were awarded to Mary Butler’s Tynffrwd Carys, ridden by Robyn Lyons Teehan.

The mini supreme championship proved to be one of the most closely contested of the day, giving judges Megan Hewitt and Becky Walters a difficult decision after a series of outstanding performances. The title ultimately went to Brookllan Sweet Dreams, with Gary McMenamin’s Cosford Wishes Vow, ridden by Dulcee Morrison, standing reserve.

The local riding classes once again proved immensely popular with parents and children alike.

The ring was well-supported throughout the day, with every competitor leaving with a rosette, an Equine Warehouse goodie bag and, perhaps most importantly, some sweets! Judge Kathy Geoghegan Curley commented on the wonderful sense of fun that the ring brought to the show. She praised the excellent manners displayed by every child, who she enjoyed chatting with about their pony.

The local mini championship was won by Rosa Steele riding Melissa Steele’s Willow, while Charlotte O’Halloran partnered Sinead O’Halloran’s Bobby to take the reserve championship. Lucy Fahy retained her title in the O’Brien local riding championship aboard Ciara Fahy’s Lily Rose Kilmovee, with Laura Burke’s Spring Mount Dante Star, ridden by Lucy Sayers, taking the reserve championship. The cob pony class continues to grow in popularity each year, with Sam Walsh claiming victory aboard Rosie.