Ireland take joint second in Nations Cup

THE Netherlands won the Meydan FEI Nations Cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show yesterday followed by Ireland in joint second place with the United States of America.

President Mary McAleese and members of the diplomatic corps watched teams from nine nations take part in the exciting and colourful competition at the Ballsbridge venue.

But while the Dutch celebrated their victory in style, there was also joy among West Cork horse breeders who won some of the top showing competitions at the show.

The prestigious breeders’ championship was won by Kieran O’Gorman, Brookfield House, The Miles, Clonakilty, Co Cork, with Kildysert Royale.

It was a spectacular back to back triumph by O’Gorman who also won the championship last year with the same animal.

Kilidysert Royale, a 10 year old bay, bred by Tom and Linda Magee, Cottage Stud, Portadown, Co Down, is by Cavalier Royale, out of My Bo Peep.

The mare qualified for the RDS final at her local show in Clonakilty. Her colt foal at foot, born on April 19, is Brookfield Mr Lux by Lux Z.

PJ Glynn, Crannaghmore, Athlone, Co Westmeath, took the reserve champion’s rosette with Parkmore Diva, a five-year-old bay who was bred by Patrick Waver, Carnew, Co Wicklow.

She is by Van Dantzig out of Parkmore Diamond, and qualified from Galway County Show. Her chestnut colt foal at foot was born on March 3 and is by French Buffett.

The championship, aimed at encouraging the production of quality young stock, carried an overall prize fund of €18,350. The first prize was €5,000.

Another exhibitor from West Cork also had a magnificent show, winning the young horse championship as well as the yearling and two year old awards.

“I have one All Ireland now. It up to the hurlers and footballer to win the other two,” said Seamus Lehane, Ballard House, Ballymacowen, Clonakilty.

He took the young horse and two-year-old titles with his bay gelding Ballard Eagle, who is by Master Imp out of Carrigroe Princess and was bred by Denis Collins, Skibbereen.

Lehane won the yearling championship with his exhibitor bred bay gelding Balard Playboy, who is by Gharbeeb, out of Ballard Queen.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith praised the professionalism of the show organisers and described the event as the most prestigious on the Irish equestrian calendar.

Welcoming a 3% increase in entries for the show, he said most people see it as an event for international horses and riders.

But it is often not recognised the vast majority of competitors are from Ireland and take part in the 30 national jumping competitions and 95 showing classes.

“It is the people who own, train and prepare the horses for these events who are the backbone of the sports horse industry in Ireland,” he said.

Mr Smith said the show had come a long way since the first event in 1864, but it is still delivering on its original aims of fostering Irish equestrianism and promoting the Irish horse industry.

Mr Smith said State bodies under the aegis of his Department such as Horse Sport Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland play a prominent role in the development of the horse industry here.