WELL done to Kildare branch member of the IDHBA Tracy Piggott who finished second in a strong class of 14 of four and five-year-old Ridden Irish Draughts at Balmoral Show on her lovely mare Rosie. Tracy was also called back in for the Championship.

Tracy was still bubbling when contacted by The Irish Field: “It was a week today and I still can’t believe it! We were pulled in fourth and then after the ridden judge and the conformation judge we were placed second – amazing! I couldn’t speak and it takes a lot for me not to talk!

“This is very new to me. I always had a great affection for the Irish Draught stallion Gortfree Hero and made a point of watching him at the RDS. I was at the Irish Draught show at Punchestown last September and I saw this beautiful Irish Draught in the horsebox, I thought it might be by Gortfree Hero, which it turned out she wasn’t.

“I got chatting to the lovely owner who was relocating to America and I found myself saying ‘is she for sale?’ and next thing she was mine!”

Tracy set about the next step.

“I hadn’t ridden ‘properly’ since I was about 10 years old but Mary Ann Casey, a wonderful teacher, got me going well. Rosie has the most beautiful mouth, the judges said so.

“I was used to riding big horses, I always rode Our Duke at Jessica’s (Harrington) and he was big. When you are with Rosie in the stable, the size and breadth of her takes some getting used to! She’s a big baby with loads of personality.

“Initially I found it difficult to sit to a canter and use my legs properly but Mary Ann has sorted me out and now I can do it – a most fascinating experience.”

Rosie is now out in the field taking a break with her old hunter companion.

“I have a plan and next up is the heavyweight for five-year-olds and upwards class at the RDS – she’s nearly 18hh. It’s such a pity there isn’t a ridden Irish Draught class at Dublin – it’s such a magnificent spectacle.”

We’re sure the dynamic duo will feature on these pages again.

MORE good news for the Piggott family as a bronze of Lester Piggott will be unveiled at the Curragh this weekend. Sculpted by William Newton, the lifesize piece is identical to the bronze of the ‘long fellow’ at Ascot and in Piggott’s hometown of Wantage.

The Curragh bronze is being presented to the racecourse by David St George, son of racehorse owner Charles St George.