DUBLIN HORSE SHOW – SHOWING CLASSES – NATIVES ON PARADE

Correna Bowe and Patrickswell Sherry in the Parade of Champion Photo Susan Finnerty

As the same time as this year’s Irish Draught stallion classes were being judged, more native breeds were on show in the parade of champions on the other side of the Anglesea Stand. Taking place just before yesterday’s Underwriting Exchange Nations Cup, its every Dublin exhibitors dream to join the line of red-ribboned champions streaming down before the packed grandstands.

Seamus O’Neill leads wife Valerie Davis’s Castleview Lady Georgina, the 2024 Irish Draught champion mare in the parade of champions. Photo Susan Finnerty

The native breed ambassadors included the two performance Irish Draught class champions: Laurence & Sarah Maxwell’s Carrafarm Constellations (Lionwood Kinsales Lad – A Sky Full Of Stars, by Star Kingdom. Breeder: Samantha Fitzsimons & Niamh Grimes) from the four/five-year-old class and JJ Bowe’s Patrickswell Sherry (Cappa Amadeus – Springvale Countess, by Castana. Breeder: Noel Sheridan) from the six-year-old and upwards final.

Enda Hamill & Charmaine Kee’s Dreamtime Realta, the reserve champion Irish Draught mare. Photo Susan Finnerty

Valerie Davis’s Castleview Lady Georgina (Castleview Inisfree Farmer – Castleview Princess, by Coolcronan Wood. Breeder: Kenny & Wendy Bell) and Enda Hamill & Charmaine Kee’s Gweebarra Realta (Millhollow Real MacCoy – Dreamtime Mayfie, by Blue Rajah. Breeder: Owners) the champion and reserve Irish Draught mares also had their moment to remember in the main arena.

Abbey O’Driscoll and Caoranbeg Comanche, winner of the opening Connemara pony performance hunter final
Photo Susan Finnerty

Joining the Irish Draughts were their smaller ‘cousins’: the versatile Connemara ponies and lining out in the parade were Wednesday’s performance Connemara champions: Abbey O’Driscoll’s Caroanbeg Comanche (Mountain Cascade – Gallowstown Bibi, by Commanding Hero. Breeder: Caoilfhinn O’Malley) and Anna Wyse’s Clareville Codiac (Caherlistrane Bay – Tegan, by Slisneoir. Breeder: John Tierney).

Ciara Mullen aboard Zoe Price’s ridden Connemara champion: Loughderg Star Photo Susan Finnerty

Zoe Price’s Loughderg Star (Glencarrig Joe – Sellernane Beauty, by Tynagh Miller. Breeder: Marie Collins) was the winner of this year’s Eugenia Murray Challenge Cup, named after a great Connemara pony ambassador and presented to the champion ridden Connemara.

Stevo Finn shows Pat Hoare’s Moylough Legacy to win the Irish Draught stallion championship Photo Susan Finnerty

Meanwhile, over in Ring 1, the Irish Draught stallion classes were being judged and always draw a large ringside audience. The class was divided into two section and the overall champion from the two sections was longtime Draught stalwart Pat Hoare’s Moylough Supremacy (Carrabawn Cross – Ardcarne Vilamear, by Castana). It was a posthumous honour for his late breeder John Gilboy from Boyle, who always attended ‘Draught Day’ at Dublin.
Standing reserve was Owen Hallinan’s Farmhill Highlander (WRS Sun Rich – Mizen Holly, by Coolcronan Wood. Breeder: Leslie Landen), the winner from the other section.