THE Laois Branch of the Irish Draught Horse Breeders’ Association ran their one-day event at Stradbally Hall on Sunday, April 26th, by the kind permission of Thomas Cosby and his family, who are always a great support to the branch.

It was great to see this event up and running again after missing out last year. The Irish Draught class had a beautiful line-up of horses, which were a pleasure to watch doing their dressage. Dressage judge Jean Halpenny remarked on how impressed she was with every horse presented to her. Grace Kavanagh held on to her dressage lead after the final phase to finish on her score of 31.54, on her 15-year-old solid campaigner Mountain Emerald by Mountain Pearl out of Munich Daisy bred by Noel Canning. Helen Keathley took second with a score of 32.88, along with the prize for the highest-placed four-year-old on Mollywee Mo Gra Chroi by Inisfree the Holy Grail, bred by Dominic Cassidy. Grace Kavanagh took third place on her second ride, Rebel Dancer, a nine-year-old gelding by Crosstown Pride out of Derrynagarra Constance, bred by Alex Moores, on 34.81 penalties. Grace and her sister Anne are always great supporters of this event, which one or other or indeed both have competed in every year it has run. Patricia Molloy on her five-year-old Growhowdy Grandpa Clover moved up two places after going clear cross-country to take fourth with 35.2 penalties. Growhowdy Grandpa Clover is by Cloonacauneen Grandpa, dam out of Fidachta Hazel, and was bred byMartin O’Neill.