THE 1,000 year-old horse

MADAM,

This is a call to all readers who know and admire the Irish Draught horse. It has a special place in the annals of Irish history and in rural Ireland. It has been indispensable among our farming community for centuries.

Where did this type of horse come from? Some historical research might be useful for the answers. Legend has it that this special animal has its roots back in the 11th century.

William, Duke of Normandy, defeated the English King Harold in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings and assumed power and the kingship. Not satisfied with this victory, he set his sights on the neighbouring island of Ireland with similar results. To achieve this success required an invasion of his armies of foot soldiers and mounted horsemen. These rode, it is said, on a combination of Norman and Anglo-Norman horses.

Over time nature took its course. These imported horses mixed with our own small, local natives. The bloodlines were established. Later, Andalusian stallions from southern Spain were introduced into the country, bringing additional bloodlines. Then the thoroughbred (from Arabian stock) played a significant part in shaping the bloodlines which we have today, the Irish Draught – 1,000 years of breeding.

Should this short piece of social history whet your appetite for more, a cordial invitation awaits you. On Monday, November 11th in the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblaney (7.30pm for 8pm), an open meeting is planned and the Cavan/Monaghan branch of the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association invites you to attend. The guest speaker will be Mrs Jennifer Haverty, national chairperson of IDHBA.

Don’t miss this special tribute to what is surely a national treasure, the 1,000-year-old horse which is today found competing in every category of equestrian sport worldwide.

Yours etc,

Patrick McCabe,

Bailieborough,

Co Cavan

See 114 for a letter penned by Bill Holmes