THE Duchess of Cornwall attended an important equine welfare conference in the Irish National Stud on Thursday.

The speakers at the seminar were veterinary surgeon Michael Sheahan from the Department of Agriculture, veterinary surgeon Peter Webbon, Sharon Newsome (Irish Horse Welfare Trust) and Diana Cooper who is the IFAR (The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses) project leader, representing Sheikh Mohammed’s Falcon and Associates. It was chaired by Leo Powell, Editor of The Irish Field.

Among those in attendance were professionals active in the field of welfare, charity and care of animals, veterinary surgeons and owners and trainers. A full report on the seminar will appear in The Irish Field this weekend.

The Duchess Camilla met with some of the stud's international students, was shown flagship stallion Invincible Spirit and met the five retired racehorses who are tourist attractions at the stud, notably Hurricane Fly.

On her departure, the Duchess was presented with a 35-year-old Bonsai Irish Birch tree by the stud's chairman Matt Dempsey.

READ LISSA OLIVER'S REPORT ON THE EQUINE WELFARE CONFERENCE IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND