THE Irish equestrian community were shocked at the death of Michael D. Cummins (69) of Clonberne Stud, Glenamaddy, Co Galway, who passed away suddenly in the early hours of last Saturday (July 13th).

Michael stood the sport horse stallion Gallant Cavalier and the Connemara stallion Gloves Bobby. He died in his sleep having attended his nephew’s wedding in Loughrea on the Friday after telling family he would not indulge as he intended to travel to Gort horse mart the following morning.

Michael was waked at home from Sunday until Tuesday morning where fellow stallion owners, breeders, show exhibitors and judges turned out in force to pay their respects to him, with fellow Connemara pony enthusiast Fr Christy McCormack PP, Fohenagh, leading evening prayers. When he left Clonberne Stud for the last time, Michael’s coffin was escorted by stud resident of 16 years, Gloves Bobby, lead by Mark Kelly, who had travelled from Drogheda to honour Michael.

At St. Patrick’s Church in Glenamaddy, a silver cup was brought to the altar by Michael’s granddaughter Grace Mitchell, representing Michael’s love for horse shows. His son Augustine told the congregation of Michael cycling with his own father, Martin, to Mountbellew show in the early 1960s, their Connemara mare which worked the family farm in tow, and she went on to scoop first prize. Augustine went onto say their father always bolstered the disappointing days at shows with the maxim, ‘Once down is no battle.’

The recessional hymn, Spancil Hill, was sung by Michael’s nephew Francis Duggan, principal of Leitrim National School, Kylebrack, Loughrea.

On the way to the cemetery, the funeral cortege stopped one last time opposite Clonberne Stud. Gloves Bobby once more escorted his master to his final resting place and as the hearse drew into Boyounagh Cemetery, Bobby’s eye followed and with ears pricked, he whinned three times – a nod to the man who had lovingly cared for him these last 16 years.

After the final bidding prayers, Michael’s cousins Helen and Lucy Clarke-Keaveney, who had travelled from Luxembourg, comforted family and friends in the July sunshine with a rendition of Ride On.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam uasal.