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AUGUST 2013 Volume 1, Issue 1 IRISH DRAUGHT A hugely successful Out of 20 foals entered in the colt and filly BREEDERS NATIONAL SHOW National ID Foal Championship worth fifteen hundred euro, it was the filly foals that captured ASSOCIATION the Champion and Reserve spots with Anne (IDHBA) Rabbitte’s Fintan Himself and Sean Scannell’s Coolcron Wood winning respectively. The of the future class attracted 21 entries • To the judges, from which judges John Joyce and Michael Kir- committee, visitors, wan chose Donegal breeder and producer Valerie sponsors, advertisers, helpers, and of course Davis’s Key to the West by Crannagh Hero out of a Star Kingdom mare. the exhibitors for A delighted James Whyte with Supreme Champion putting on a wonderful of the show Carrigrua The White Lady by Holycross In the youngstock ring judges Mark Fitton (GB) display of Irish and George Chapman awarded the youngstock Class numbers were well up on previous years Draught stock at our championship to James Whyte’s yearling filly and there was an air of relaxed optimism at National Show, well (she later took supreme champion), Reserve done everyone and the well-attended Irish Draught - went to Westmeath exhibitor Kay Blackwell’s thanks to all. ers Association National Show held in homebred 3 y.o. Star Kingdom/Uibh Fhaile filly. Mullingar recently. • If you are selling Blessed with only the threat of rain, exhibi- Four ridden horse classes attracted many an ID horse please use tors, visitors and guests stayed on well into entrants with previous good form so the stand- our free service on the website in the first the afternoon to see Supreme Championship ard was high and judges Aubrey Chapman instance, contact the honours go to Cork breeder James Whyte of (ridden) and David Cosby (conformation) crowned office for more info. Conakilty with his yearling filly by the now Willem Savelkoul’s Class 1 Castle Crest deceased stallion Holycross. Supreme Reserve which won both the Performance W.H. and the • A date not to be went to Anne Rabbitte of Clara, Co. Offaly with Ridden ID 6 years plus (top below) , ahead of Nick missed— Annual her Fintan Himself filly foal (bottom right). Whelan’s Huntingfield Hollo (winner of the Rid- Awards Night on The well supported mare classes were divided den ID 4 and 5 years) in reserve. Saturday Nov. 9th in into six categories and it was from the Young the Radison Blu Hotel, Mare division that judges Micheal Casey and Letterkenny, Co. Don- Heather Milner (GB) found their champion. egal, phone for reser- Manor Over-Draught a 6 y.o. by Rockrimmon vations 00353 74 Silver Diamond out of a Star Kingdom mare is 9194602. owned by Jim Steel and was shown by Char- • Thinking of treat- maine Kee (below left). Reserve went to ing yourself to some- Mayo exhibitor Michael Grady with Ashlawn thing nice to wear? Star by Aherlow out of a Silver Sam mare. Orders are now being taken for merchandise such as jackets and ties bearing the Associa- tion crest, full details from your Branch Rep or Secretary. Other items will be available shortly and all availa- ble to purchase online. The Irish Draught scene in full swing There are still plenty of shows taking place for ID enthu- siasts to enjoy between now and the end of the season, some qualifiers are still open, check with the Irish Shows Association Yearbook for dates. Here are some of the ID Championship Finals still to come: x Roscommon Yearling Filly Sat Aug 17th x Mohill Leitrim Breeders Mare & Foal Sun Aug 18th x Limerick 2 y.o. Filly Sun Aug 25th x Oughterard Foal Sun Aug 25th x Bantry Foal Sun Sept 1st Maria McNamara’s Shanbally Professor by Mountain Diamond was the winner x Clonaslee Sun Sept 1st of the Ridden ID Final at Ardrahan Show. x Ballinasloe Colt & Filly Foals Sat Sept 28th HSI NEWS

The 2013 review on breeding policy which will affect all breeders WEEK VENUE and producers of Irish Draught is well under way. HSI Tubberbride Equestrian received over thirty submissions from individuals and organisa- tions within Ireland, UK, US and Canada. They are taking on board 26th Aug Centre, Collooney, Co. much of the content which will form the basis of meetings held by Sligo the newly formed task force and HSI.

Creagh Equestrian Centre, The two month rule which prevented foals being marked and sampled has been reviewed and it is now possible for vets to take Ballinasloe, Co. Galway hair samples and do the marking and chip newly born foals for registration. Dohyle House Stud, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick In an effort to get more owners to take their for inspection HSI have offered seven provisional inspection dates. The closing date for receipt of applications is Mon August 12th. In 2012 there West Cork Equine Centre, 2nd Sep were 100 mares awarded Class 1 status and presently all progeny Bandon, Co. Cork of Class 2 mares put to Class 1 or Class 2 stallions are eligible for inspection and may attain Class 1 status. Fillies may be inspected Danescroft Equestrian from two years of age and failing to reach Class 1 status they will be allowed to return for reinspection if the owner wishes. Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim The Irish Draught Horse Society Ltd of Northern Ireland along Warrington Top Flight with CAFRE are holding a Demonstration Evening, “Preparing Hors- 9th Sept Equestrian Centre, Co. es for Inspection”, on Wednesday 14th August 2013 at Portmore Equestrian Centre. The aim of the evening is to encourage people to Kilkenny bring their horses out to the inspections, which are being held in early September at Danescroft, Co. Antrim. Coilog Equestrian Centre, This year’s Ballinasloe ID Foal Championship Finals will be kindly Kilmeague, Co. Kildare sponsored by H S I. The Irish Draught Horse Ireland’s Dancer on his toes The right way to buy a horse and the right way to sell... Following from her championship win at When Sandra Hannigan saw the powerful like how to escape from a headcollar and the NIWHA summer show, Lynne Ire- Yukon Diamond’s quarters over the door land from Co. Down added another win gallop across 550 rolling acres on the estate. at Cavan she was so impressed she to her list when she won the Novice Her present owner Mary Doyle spotted bought the 3 y.o. Gortfree Hero W.H. Class at the National Show. The 4 the filly enjoying her freedom and thought for her husband Eddie. It has turned out y.o. Dowdstown Dancer is by Crosstown she had the makings of a performance to be a very rewarding purchase, among Dancer out of a Silver Granite mare. horse. She duly purchased her from Jen- her many successes this year the mare nifer and won the Forth Mountain Qualifier has won Breed Champion at the AIRC for Dublin recently. Best wishes to all Festival under and Champion involved with the mare. mare in- at Gorey. So it still goes to A more conventional way to sell or buy a show with a little of sifting through horses for sale a champion can be found, future star would be to attend Goresbridge for their September sale which (depending well spotted Sandra. Well done to our on numbers) hope to hold an Irish Draught co-President Eileen Brennan who bred the mare Stormy Madam by Sir Stormy section devoted to ridden horses. This initiative was successful last year and Breeze which will compete in the Perfor- deserves to be supported again. Two other exhibitors from the National mance ID Class at the RDS. She was sold Show who have been blazing a trail are as a foal to Jennifer Haverty who subse- A select sale of foals is planned for later Antje Keller (Rusham’s Golden Breeze quently took her to a show at Stradbally in the year, full details will follow, but it is by Kilmadded Gold) and Sabine Linka Hall the following year. Jennifer briefly hoped to hold qualifiers, foals should be (Schalke Blue Rocco by Huntingfield tied the filly but the then un-named leading and looking their best on the day as Rebel), they won the Level 3 Pairs at Stormy Madam had other ideas, photos and videos will be taken. Donegal TREC Championship in May Kilkenny Branch visit Ennisnag Stud and the Pre Novice Pairs at Shore Farm Several members of the Kilkenny branch took an evening off to visit Ennisnag Stud in Hunter Trials recently. Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny. This family run studfarm belongs to the Hughes family who set about their breeding programme in the 1930’s. The branch held a discussion on management and training as well as breeding topics in general. From a pool of twenty mares the owner/manager Andrew Hughes told them the aim was to breed international showjumpers. Their selection process depends on conformation and movement as well as previous proven performance on the mare side, these are put to the best stallions available, he added “and some Irish Draught blood in the background is very im- portant”. Martin said, “we had an enjoyable evening and learned a lot about setting out breeding goals”. 2012 foal numbers down again The numbers of pure bred Irish Draught foals born in 2012 has dropped significantly from 779 in 2011 to 625 and very likely the 2013 figure which will only become available in Autumn 2014 will show another drop. Surely now is the time to draw up a plan to ensure breeders breed the right mare to the right stallion so that when we turn the corner from this recession we will be well positioned to provide quality stock for what the market requires. The 2012 Foal Book will become Kilkenny Branch Chairman Martin Fahy and members with Ennisnag Stud representatives . available shortly from H S I. The Irish Draught Horse Author chooses to display wonderful Irish Draught temperament On a visit to Ireland to highlight the advantages of horse riding for children on the Autistic spectrum, author Rupent Isaacson used Dublin member Liz Keane’s ID gelding George to show the benefits of interaction between children with autism and horses. George (by Golden Warrior/Kildalton Gold) remained unphased during the demonstration by the famous author of “Horseboy” and Childvision lecturer. Liz is full-time involved with Riding for the Disabled, Children with Special Needs and Youthreach activities, in her spare time she does Riding Club with the now famous George. George relaxes with friends during the demo Bonniconlan 3 y.o. Filly Championship Final Thirteen of the fifteen catalogued entries took part in the 3 y.o. Filly Final at Bonniconlan on August Monday which was judged by Michael Kirwan and Fintan Flannelly. The fillies were whittled down to six and it looked very much anyone’s class right down to the wire but it was Seamus Sloyan’s day with Valerie Davis’s Mare of the Future winner from the National Show taking second and Edward Brogan in third. Results: 1. Seamus Sloyan’s Clew Baroness (Clew Bay Bouncer/Grosvenor Lad) breeder Tom Burke 2. Valerie Davis’s Key to the West (Crannagh Hero/Star Kingdom) breeder Richella Murphy 3. Edward Brogan’s My Fair Rose (Carrickrock Close Shave/Castana) breeder Noel Sheridan 4. John McLoughlin’s Kilbeg Pier (Gortfree Hero/Kensons Mosaic) breeder Tom J Murphy 5. Martin Murphy’s Oldcastle Rose (Clonakilty Hero/Glidawn Diamond) breeder Keara Murphy 6. Helen & Christopher Kelly’s Derynagarra Safron (Sir Rivie/Crosstown Dancer) breeder exh

If you have any Leitrim Branch plan a visit Become an IDHBA member now news, views, or to 34th IDHS (GB) Show in The Association has 14 branches around the country with a comments on Lincolnshire representative from each branch on the Governing Body. Irish Draught Annual membership is €30 and includes a free Yearbook worth Plans are in place to visit the IDHS matters please let €10, another €10 returns to the nominated Branch. For more (GB) Irish Draught Breed Show on us know. Look- information contact the Secretariat, Helen Kelly at IDHBA. Saturday August 31st, costs ing forward to have been kept to a minimum The Irish Draught horse seeing you all at IRISH DRAUGHT and we are looking forward to is designated as a rare our stand in the hearing all the news on their breed, our representa- HORSE BREEDERS Main Hall of the safe return. As with other tive on the renewed RDS during years there will surely be many Rare Breed Society ASSOCIATION Horse Show links with Irish bred horses and committee is Helen Week, follow us (IDHBA) we hope to bring some of that Kelly. Congrats Helen. on Facebook. news back to members.