The Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association held their 11th annual breed show in Punchestown last weekend. Officially opened by Minister for State Andrew Doyle TD, exhibitors and spectators enjoyed glorious weather at the flagship Kildare venue. Minister Doyle, who show-jumped as a child, was very complimentary and grateful to the show for staging a show like this where Irish Draughts are show cased helping both promote and preserve this native breed.

This year’s show had as many entries as last year’s record numbers. Among the entries were current and former RDS champions, testament to the esteem in which this show is now held that all were present to contend for the very prestigious titles of winning at the national breed show.