CLARECASTLE returns to the show calendar on Saturday, July 18th with an impressive range of championships, prizemoney and silverware. Another thoughtful gesture this year is a fuel voucher draw for exhibitors.

Joan Bateman (Traditional Irish Horse Association), Robbie Fallon (Cashelbay Stud) and Joe O’Donoghue (Clashmore Stud) were amongst the equine world speakers at the launch, underlining the impact of Clarecastle Show since it was first held in 2016.

“The Irish sport horse industry owes you [show chairman Michael Slattery] a huge debt of gratitude for what you’re doing and the efforts you have gone to in providing substantial sponsorship and prize money for breeders and owners. The breeders are the unsung heroes, and without them, there would be no future for the Irish sport horse,” Joan stated.

“The Connemara pony is the most popular pony in the world right now, so it’s great to see the Connemara section growing in Clarecastle,” said Robbie Fallon.

“Clarecastle has transformed into an award-winning event. It will always attract a top-class horse because of the prize money involved. In 2024, I judged the Banner Broodmare final with Siobhan Madden.

“What a class - the atmosphere was absolutely electric both inside and outside the ring. One of the competitors from West Cork said to me, ‘Can it get any better?’ Well, I’m told that 2026 is going to be even bigger and better,” Joe O’Donoghue declared.

The €9,000 Banner Breeders, with its draw for stallion nominations valued at €12,000 and a new €5,000 Fergus foal championship are annual feature events. More include the Brian Boru overall young horse champion, drawn from the Irish Draught, TIH and sport horse individual championships.

Extra performance classes have been added to the €5,000 Shannon Connemara section and the Nuala O’Malley Challenge Cup, presented by her son George, is another addition to the Connemara winners’ silverware. Irish Pony Society classes, with a €3,000 prize fund, the Cú Chulainn dog show, An Gobha (the Boyne Valley blacksmith), the Flying Alpacas, €100 best hat and tie prizes and the presentation of this year’s Clarecastle Medals to the Irish horse world greats are more features.