Clare Show continues to set high standards
He says an elaborate qualifying test was introduced in Clare in 1779 to ensure only the most genuine horses went forward to the races. Mounts had to jump an eight-foot drain, a four-foot wall, a five foot ditch, five feet broad with two dykes of five feet each. Anyone with three refusals was disqualified.
During the 100 years of the Co Clare Show, Eddie Macken, Tommy Wade, Paul Darragh, Harvey Smith, Billy Ringrose, James Kernan and Con Power all have thrilled the crowds, and the Irish Army Jumping team have an association with the show since 1930, when the Free State Military Team came to Ennis fresh from international victories at Nice, Olympia, and Biarritz.
In the showing rings last weekend, P J Meere's Champion Young Horse, "My Lovely Hope", took the de Valera Cup presented by the Fianna Fáil leader in 1935. Eamonn de Valera's name has been synonymous with the Ennis show since 1923, when he was arrested in the town square. He returned a year later and reputedly addressed the people of Clare at the Showgrounds with the opening line, "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted " He went on to attend the show every year until old age curtailed his travels.
Heifer Calf born 2004: John Curtin, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.
Heifer born 2003: Donal & Tadhg Bourke, Kilfinny, Co. Limerick.
Non-pedigree dairy cow in milk or in-calf: Paddy King, Oranmore, Co. Galway.
Heifer born 2002 or after. Donal & Tadhg Bourke.
First Lactation Heifer: Michael Moroney, Ennis.
Dairy Cow Championship, Open; John Curtin, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. Strandview Storm Bjerg, bred Tom McGee, sire Maughlin Storm, dam Strandview Lord Bjerg.
Reserve John Moroney, Ennis.
:
Calf born 2004: Patrick Hayes, Lisnagry, Co. Limerick.
Heifer born 2003: T Davit, Ennistymon.
Cow: Patrick Hayes, Lisnagry, Co. Limerick.
Champion (and Reserve): Pat Hayes.
:
Pedigree Bull Calf born after August 2003: J J Melody, Bunratty.
Pedigree Heifer Calf born after August 2003: Bobby O'Connell, Clarina, Co Limerick.
Pedigree Heifer born June 2001 December 2002: J J Melody.
Pedigree Cow: 1 Raymond Lane, Bruree, Co. Limerick.
Pedigree Bull: J J Melody.
Champion: J J Melody.
Reserve; Dan Melody
:
Pedigree born 2004: Seamus Aherne, Cappamore, Co. Limerick.
Pedigree born after September 2002: Peter & Marion O'Connell, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Pedigree heifer born after September 2002: Peter & Marion O'Connell.
Pedigree Cow: Peter & Marion O'Connell.
Champion (and reserve): Peter & Marion O'Connell
:
Pedigree Calf, born after September 2003: Henry Dudley, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pedigree Heifer born after September 2002: Henry Dudley.
Pedigree Cow or in-calf heifer: John Hayes, Kildimo, Co. Limerick.
Champion: John Hayes.
Reserve: Henry Dudley.
:
Pedigree Calf born 2004: Brendan Clancy, Ennis.
Bull; Michael O'Gorman, Lahinch.
Pedigree Bull born after August 2002: Sean Lyons, Ruan.
Pedigree heifer born after August 2003: Sean Ryan, Cappamore, Co. Limerick.
Pedigree heifer born June 2001 to December 2002: Donal Moloney, Ardnacrusha.
Pedigree Cow: Donal Moloney.
Pedigree Bull: Brendan Clancy.
Champion: Donal Moloney.
Reserve: Brendan Clancy.
Pedigree born after November 2003: Michael Ward, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
Pedigree Heifer born after January, 2002: Brian Halton, Bailieboro, Co. Cavan.
Pedigree Cow: John Keating, Ennis.
Ploughing Championship Pedigree calf born after November 2003 Qualifiers: Brian Halton, Michael Ward, Michael Ward.
Champion - John Keating
Reserve Braian Halton
:
Non-Pedigree Beef Cross Suckling Cow with 2004 calf (Confined to Clare) - Joe Hallinan, Quin.
Non-pedigree Bull born 2004: Joe Hallinan.
Non-pedigree Heifer born 2004: Joe Hallinan.
Male Cross, no permanent teeth: Michael Hannon, Adare, Co. Limerick.
Female, no permanent teeth: Martin Kileen, Mullagh.
Bullock not more than two permanent teeth; Michael Hannon.
Heifer, not more than two permanent teeth: Michael Hannon.
Charolais pair crossbred: Joe Hallinan.
Belgian Blue Crossbred: Joe Hallinan.
Champion: Joe Hallinan
Reserve: Michael Hannon
Ram: Michael O'Connell.
Ram Lamb: Michael O'Connell.
Ewe Lamb for breeding: Michael O'Connell.
Pair of Butchers Lambs: Conor Howley, Kilshanny.
Pair of Breeding Ewes: Michael O'Connell.
Champion: Michael O'Connell.
Champion Yearling Colt or Gelding: 1 Cyril Conway, Lissycasey, Ennis. 2 P J Lehane, Clonakilty, Co Cork. 3 - Ml O'Mahony, Miltown Malbay. 4 Fiona Hardy, Kildysart.
Champion Yearling Filly: 1- Rebecca Monahan, Tulla. 2 - Pat Talty, Kilkee. 3 - Bernard Hanrahan, Clarecastle.
Champion 2 Year Old Colt or Gelding: 1- P J Lehane. 2 - Richard Hourigan, Lisnagry, Co Limerick. 3 - Joe Allen, Newport, Co Tipperary.
Champion 2 Year Old Filly: 1 - Michael Fitzgerald, Doolin. 2 - William McDonald. 3 - Fred Bourke, Clonlara.
Qualifier for Kildysart All Ireland 2 Year Old Filly: 1 - Michael Fitzgerald, Doolin. 2 - William McDonald.
Best 3 Year Old Filly to make a Hunter: P J Meere, Lissycasey.
Best 3 Year Old Colt or Gelding to make a Hunter: Joe Allen, Newport.
Champion Young Horse of the Show for deValera Cup (Yearlings, 2 and 3 Year Olds) - P J Meere's "My Lovely Hope" by Big Sink Hope, dam by Euphemism. Bred by Fred Burke, Clonlara, Co. Clare. Reserve - P J Lehane's Quick Decision, by Malmsey, dam Mountbarry Lady. Bred by Simon McCarthy.
Half Bred Brood Mare with Foal at Foot: Jimmy Casey, Kildysart.
Qualifier for Tullamore Dew Broodmare and Foal: Pat Blake, Kilkee.
Colt Foal to make a Hunter: Gerry Collins, Kilkee.
Filly Foal to make a Huntress: Patrick Connelly, Tuam, Co. Galway.
Brood Mare stinted 2 years old and upwards without foal: Tom Newell, Claregalway, Co Galway.
All Ireland Colt Foal Championship: 1 - Gerard Grace, Kildysart, by Courage, dam Rusheen Star by Big Sink Hope. 2 - Declan Fahy, Clonakilty, by Big Sink Hope, dam Ballymacowen Lass. 3 - Jerry O'Leary, Clonakilty, by Kathan, dam Arigidoon Rose. 4 - Liam Tougher, Ballysax Stud, Co Kildare, by Daar Alzmaan, dam by Our Jock
Best Ridden Hunter 4 Years Old and Upwards: Brid Shannon, Murroe, Co Limerick.
Best Side-Saddle Ridden Hunter: Jackie McGrath, Ennis.
Open 153 cm, riders under 20: Grainne Conway, Clarecastle.
Open 143 cm, riders under 17: Michelle Dempsey, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.
Open 133 cm, riders under 14: Mary Daveran O'Regan, Athlacca, Limerick.
Champion Ridden Pony: Dearbhla Dempsey.
Reserve: Ciara O'Carroll.
Ridden 123 cm, riders under 10: Shane McNamara, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Open Lead Rein, children under 7: Shane McNamara.
Local Novice Lead Rein, children under 8: Shane McNamara.
Ponies, 133 cm, riders under 14: Gerard Hayes, Askeaton, Co. Limerick.
Ponies 143 cm, riders under 17: Catherine O'Carroll, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Ponies 153 cm, riders under 20: Martin Kenny, Limerick, ridden by Gillian McCarthy.
Ponies 143 cm, riders under 16 years: Joe McGuane, Ennis.
Mare: Mary Hallinan, Quin.
Gelding: Martin McCarthy, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
Mare and Foal: Matt Devitt, Ennistymon.
Donkey Driving Cart or Tub Trap: Michael Neylon, Ennistymon.
Champion donkey: Geraldine O'Looney, Quin.
Confined to Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Offaly and Galway Pat Quinn, Clarecastle.
Open Driving James T Crothers, Co. Down.
Concours D'Elegance Pat Quinn, Clarecastle.
Champion dog: Fiona Burke, Pallasgreen
Champion Dog Handler: Claire Moroney, Spanish Point
Modern: Audrey Fitzgerald, Cratloe.
Period: Denise Meehan, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Bonny baby: Evan O'Callaghan, Sixmilebridge.
