THE sixth Kildare Performance Hunter Show took place on March 26th on the in-field of the La Touche at Punchestown Racecourse. Eighty-five horses and riders signed up from hunts across Ireland, one entry from Co Clare had begun their journey at 5am that morning. Once again the show was blessed with a reasonably dry day and the ground had managed to hold the rain of the days prior to the show. There was a good turnout of spectators and many Kildare Hunt members volunteered their services for the day, a great show of support; as many had previously given their previous Sunday over to the club’s hunter trial event.

The Kildare performance hunter show’s objective is to test the hunting élan of the Irish hunter and to showcase its performance ability on the hunting field. The show consisted of four classes, besides the Draught class, a four- and five-year-old Yound Hunter (sponsored by producers Rory Cleary Racing and Equine and Graham Dempsey Farrier), six-year-old and upwards Seasoned Hunter (sponsored by Dublin Products Dunlavin Ltd), all guiding 100cm efforts and finally, The Berney Bros. Kilcullen-sponsored Huntsman’s Class designed for horses with exceptional ability, with a guiding jumping effort of 130cm.

New to the show this year was an Irish Draught Class for six year olds and upwards, split sponsored by the Kildare Branch of the Irish Draught Breeeders Association and West Wood Trailers Naas. The Draught horses were spectacular over the course making short work of one particular drain that took many a look and refusal from the Young Hunter and Seasoned Hunter classes.

The course consists of the type of obstacles encountered on the Irish hunting field, such as natural hedges, banks, drains, also man-made ones such as stud rails, wire and gates.

Work had been done on many of the hedges, the huntsman’s box hedge in particular looked quite ominous with a set of stud rails prominent to its front, prompting one brave rider to bless himself before charging it. The horses and riders are evaluated individually by a panel of judges, who ride their final choices over the course. This year’s judges were Maeve Carty, sport horse producer, Co Galway, Alice Copithorne, sport horse producer, Co Cork, and Niall Dunne, hunstman of the Westmeath Hunt.

A highlight of the show was the dog racing that took place during the judges’ break. Chaos reigned as all types tried to catch the brush. Initially a mechanical lure was used but when this broke down, huntsman Padhraic Moynihan took to his quad and towed it instead. No official records exist as to who where winners but it appeared that the longer the legs the greater your chances!

2023 Results

Young Hunter

1. Deirdre Rafter - Lawnview Diamond

2. Sophie Mullane - Knockfenora Flash

3. Sive Ryan - Dan the Man

4. Corinne Davoren - Harry

5. Dave Bennett - The Outlier

6. Grainne Davoren - Unnamed

Seasoned Hunter

1. Hughie Ryan - Alfie

2. Noreen O’Gorman - JR

3. Corinne Hyde - Gin Lizzie

4. Siobhan Carroll - Millview Silver

5. Jessica O’Leary - Rossconnell Remy

6. Perrine Pilate - Jasper.

Huntsman Class

1. Dermot O’Halloran - Benny

2. Alan Keoghan - Andy

3. Diarmuid Ryan - Oscar

4. Kevin Donohue - Allenwood

5. Brian Murphy - Bull

6. Diarmuid Ryan - Buzz.

Draught Class

1. Katie Stafford - Dennistown Prince of Pride

2. Ward Murray - Sam

3. James Rockford -Echo King Prospect

4. William Flood - Captain Midnight

5. Diarmuid Ryan - Freddie

6. Ciara Dennigan - Derisney Glen Cool Dancer.