A RECENT incident at Ballinasloe’s ISA All Ireland finals has raised the subject of judging ethics yet again. As reported in last week’s The Irish Field, an exhibitor objected to Mary O’Halloran judging the Martin Conneely championship on the grounds that she had bred Dunsandle Diamond, the sire of one of the qualified foals.

O’Halloran vigorously rejected any allegation of knowingly judging an entry by a stallion she had sold as a foal 11 years ago, however the incident has flagged a number of issues for judges, exhibitors and show organisers.