Limerick Show is a highlight in Irish sport horse breeding

ONE of the high points of the Irish sport horse breeding year again attracted big interest at Limerick Show.

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.

RESULTS

Farmers’ Journal Limerick Lady Final: 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.

Farmers Journal Limerick Matron Championship: 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.

Best Turned Out Handler and Matron: Margaret Jeffares, “Debbies Clover”.

Best Foal: Hurst Show Horses, Co Fermanagh.

Aughinish Alumina Irish Draught 2yo: 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.

Highest placed filly by an Irish Draught: Denis Dullea, unnamed, sire Crannagh Hero, dam Miss Ginger Dick.

Champion Hunter: John Fennell, c/o Ann O’Grady, Ballinagowan, Newcastlewest.

Young Horse: Seamus Lehane, Ballymacowen, Clonakilty.

Breeder’s Challenge Non Thoroughbred Brood Mare (with foal at foot): Margaret Jeffares.

Brood Mare: Jim Tempany.

Foal: James Ryan, Ballinahinch House, Birdhill.

Filly: Raymond O’Shea, Ballynacally, Ennis.

Hunter Pony: Karen Tarry, Islandmore Stud, Croom.

Champion Pony: Tom McNamara, Crecora.

Champion Working Hunter Pony: Gillian O’Neill.

All Ireland Inter Hunt Chase: 1, Killinick Harriers A. 2, Limerick Harriers. Joint 3rd, Araglen and Killinick Harriers.

CATTLE

Shorthorn: Donie McKeon (reserve: Donie McKeon).

Shorthorn Beef: Michael and Oliver Flanagan, Moydrum Castle Pedigree Herds, Athlone (Patricia Mulcahy, Kinvara, Co Galway).

Friesian: Aidan Frawley, Bruree (Richard Hynes, Bruree).

All Ireland Pedigree Holstein Friesian Heifer Calf: S E and J Curtin, Athlacca, Kilmallock (Michael O’Leary, Clondrohid, Macroom).

Jersey: Cal Hennessy, Dungourney, Co Cork (J M and N Collins, Newcastlewest).

Angus Female: Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Co Kerry (Joe McGarry, Longford).

Angus Male: Joe and Michael Moran, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny (Michael and Oliver Flanagan).

Irish Junior Hereford of the Year: T and A Fitzgerald, Moate (Declan Donnelly, Ennis).

Irish Junior Hereford Bull of the Year: Matthew Goulding.

Simmental: Peter and Marion O’Connell, Mallow.

Charolais Bull: Martin Ryan, Cabra, Thurles (Patrick Ryan, Doon, Co Limerick).

Limousin: John McInerney, Newmarket-on-Fergus (Brendan Clancy, Mullagh, Ennis).

Suckler Cow and Calf: Gareth McGuinness, Drogheda (Derry Rothwell, Tinahely, Co Wicklow).

Commercial: Sean O’Brien, Burnfoot, Co Donegal (April Higgins, Claremorris, Co Mayo).

All Ireland Baby Beef: G and M Noone, Clonmaney, Co Donegal (Robert and Mark McGivern, Carrigtwohill).

All Ireland non pedigree calf: Sean O’Brien, (April Higgins).