THERE were far fewer Irish exhibitors than usual at last week’s Royal Highland Show outside Edinburgh and, as a result, far fewer winners from this side of the water. There were a good number of Irish judges among the cattle and sheep sections of the show, but the only ones in the horse and pony divisions were Co Antrim’s William Hall (in-hand Clydesdales), Co Tipperary’s Derek Bailey (Sanderson trophy), Co Antrim’s Tony Bell (miniature Shetlands), plus north Co Dublin’s Kieran and Mairead Ryan (working hunter ponies).

There were no Irish exhibits in Thursday’s hunters in-hand classes, but the championship was won by the broodmare class winner, Billy Moran’s 12-year-old Irish Draught grey Corkeeran Willow (Darragh Moylough Vision - Corkeeran Jewel, by Mount Diamond Flag), who was bred in Co Monaghan by the late Edward Persee.