THE Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association’s National Show Committee are busy putting the final preparations in place for what they hope will be another great show for Irish Draught enthusiasts.

This year they have yet again secured great prize money with over €12,000 in total on offer for the upcoming National Show at Punchestown on September 1st next.

New to the class schedule this year is a Premium Mare and Foal class with a prize fund of €1,500 and six stallion nominations for mares and foals, judged 60/40 as a unit.

In the ridden section, a class specifically for Irish Draught mares is among the new additions while in the Working Hunter ring, a class for the Traditional Irish Horse boasts a hefty prize fund of €1,500 – acknowledging the large numbers who ride part-bred Irish Draughts and who are such an integral part of the amateur riding scene.

The Irish Draught Performance Championship will be the highlight in the Working Hunter ring, complete with commentary and a beautiful course, it is anticipated to be a real showcase for the best of Ireland’s performance Irish Draughts.

In addition to the wonderful prizes on offer, there are seven championship classes that will have the bonus of earning the winners very valuable HSI Merits.

COMMENTARY

Throughout the day mare, foal, youngstock and ridden classes will take place. With more spectators expected this year, and numerous visitors from Britain, greater emphasis has been put on having more commentary on the bigger classes.

For exhibitors looking to sell their horses, the show committee has negotiated a special discounted rate of €15 for exhibitors who register their horse with Irish Horse Gateway prior to the show. Foreign buyers of horses on IHG exhibited at the national show can claim for the HSI Inward Buyer incentive.

The €1,000 Side Saddle class which proved very popular and quite an eye-catching display last year takes place again and Side Saddle Ireland are offering points to their members who participate.

Traditionally only ladies rode side saddle, however in a brave effort to fundraise for Crumlin Children’s Hospital some very well known male faces from the Irish showing and hunting scenes will ride and be judged on their ability and technique side saddle too! It promises to be a novel class and for a very worthy cause.

It’s time to get your entries in now. The show takes place in Punchestown on Saturday, September 1st next with the closing deadline for entries Friday, August 24th.

Full information on the show can be found on the IDHBA website at www.idhba.ie