Limerick Show is a highlight in Irish sport horse breeding
The Limerick Lady and Matron championships are aimed at encouraging farmers to keep the correct type of half-bred two-year-old fillies as potential brood mares.
Behind the effort is the hope these mares would produce high-quality three-day-event horses, hunters and show jumpers.
Limerick Lady qualifiers are chosen at shows around the country for the final at Limerick.
Fillies who qualify for the final are invited to come back in following years as three-year-olds and upwards, in foal or with a foal at foot, to take part in the Matron Championship.
This year, the Limerick Lady title honours went to exhibitor Desmond Gibson, Dromara, Co Down, while the Matron final was won by Margaret Jeffares, Drinagh, Co Wexford.
Due to cancellation of earlier events, such as Tullamore Show, Limerick was allocated extra qualifiers for national competitions, and had increased show jumping entries.
Desmond Gibson, Dromara, Co Down with “Ballycapple Blackbird”, sire Gareeb, dam Ballycapple Clover by Cloverhill. Bred by Sarah Fleming, Wicklow. Reserve Champion: Jim Tempany, Skreen, Co Sligo. Unnamed, sire Big Sink Hope, dam Leader Star by I’m a Star.
Margaret Jeffares, Ballykelly House, Drinagh, Co Wexford, “Debbies Clover”, sire Farney Clover, dam Debbie’s Slipper. Reserve Champion: Jim Tempany, Skreen, Co Sligo, “Leader Star”, sire I’m a Star, dam Oh Carol by Pride of Shaunlara.
Margaret Jeffares, “Debbies Clover”.
Hurst Show Horses, Co Fermanagh.
Denis Dullea, Killountain, Bandon, Co Cork, Unnamed, sire Crannagh Hero, dam Miss Ginger Dick by Ginger Dick. Reserve: Hughie Murphy, Barnacogue, Swinford, Co Mayo, unnamed, sire Annaghadown Star, dam Annies View.
Denis Dullea, unnamed, sire Crannagh Hero, dam Miss Ginger Dick.
John Fennell, c/o Ann O’Grady, Ballinagowan, Newcastlewest.
Seamus Lehane, Ballymacowen, Clonakilty.
Margaret Jeffares.
Jim Tempany.
James Ryan, Ballinahinch House, Birdhill.
Raymond O’Shea, Ballynacally, Ennis.
Karen Tarry, Islandmore Stud, Croom.
Tom McNamara, Crecora.
Gillian O’Neill.
1, Killinick Harriers A. 2, Limerick Harriers. Joint 3rd, Araglen and Killinick Harriers.
Donie McKeon (reserve: Donie McKeon).
Michael and Oliver Flanagan, Moydrum Castle Pedigree Herds, Athlone (Patricia Mulcahy, Kinvara, Co Galway).
Aidan Frawley, Bruree (Richard Hynes, Bruree).
S E and J Curtin, Athlacca, Kilmallock (Michael O’Leary, Clondrohid, Macroom).
Cal Hennessy, Dungourney, Co Cork (J M and N Collins, Newcastlewest).
Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Co Kerry (Joe McGarry, Longford).
Joe and Michael Moran, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny (Michael and Oliver Flanagan).
T and A Fitzgerald, Moate (Declan Donnelly, Ennis).
Matthew Goulding.
Peter and Marion O’Connell, Mallow.
Martin Ryan, Cabra, Thurles (Patrick Ryan, Doon, Co Limerick).
John McInerney, Newmarket-on-Fergus (Brendan Clancy, Mullagh, Ennis).
Gareth McGuinness, Drogheda (Derry Rothwell, Tinahely, Co Wicklow).
Sean O’Brien, Burnfoot, Co Donegal (April Higgins, Claremorris, Co Mayo).
G and M Noone, Clonmaney, Co Donegal (Robert and Mark McGivern, Carrigtwohill).
Sean O’Brien, (April Higgins).





