I HAVE had horses all my life and really developed a love for Irish Draughts when I started hunting them about 40 years ago or so. I’m from Ellistown in County Kildare and I hunted with the Kildares (KHC Foxhounds) all my life. I used to buy a horse or two to bring on and sell every year. I found the Irish Draught temperament, versatility and how safe they were to cross any country, particularly banks and drains, very nice to ride and produce.

In my day, I was lucky enough to hunt with other packs, such as the Killinicks, South Counties, Laois and Ballymacads, so a horse had to be able to adapt to all types of country.