All Ireland Championships at Ardrahan Agricultural Show

The All Ireland Ridden Irish Draught and Ridden Hunter championships took place at Ardrahan agricultural show, County Galway on Saturday 9^th of July.

These classes were sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland under the 2016 Breeding Grant. The grant supports horses bred and produced in Ireland as well as recognizing breeder efforts with prizes.

Eligible horses in the All Ireland Ridden Irish Draught Championship must be the progeny of an Irish Draught Mare and Irish Draught stallion and were assessed on conformation and movement on the ground as well as being ridden on each rein under saddle. The All Ireland Ridden Hunter Championship was open to qualified horses 16 hands or over and were also assessed on the ground and under saddle.

Judges were Liam Cotter for the conformation element and Anna Dangerfield for the ridden phase. President of the Irish Shows Association Pat Corbet was in attendance as well as Alex Deon representing Horse Sport Ireland for the presentation of prizes.

These classes were well contested with 12 entries in the Ridden Irish Draught Championship and 11 in the Ridden Hunter Championship.

The All Ireland Ridden Irish Draught Championship was won by Gurraun Rebellion (ID) by Huntingfield Rebel (ID) out of Flores, bred by Chantal Deon. He is owned by Ella Coffey and was ridden by Karen Coffey.

In the All Ireland Ridden Hunter Championship, first place was claimed by Mr Shakespeare (ISH) by Olympic Lux (KWPN) out of Bright Ray (ISH), bred by Mrs Bridget O’Donoghue and owned and ridden by Lyndsey O’Brien.

Both first place horses have also qualified for the Blue Chip and Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) £2000 challenge to be held at the IDHS (GB) annual breed show in Lincoln on the 3rd and 4th of September.

All Ireland Ridden Irish Draught Champion

Gurraun Rebellion (ID) by Huntingfield Rebel (ID) out of Flores. Breeder: Chantal Deon. Owner: Ella Coffey. Rider: Karen Coffey.

From left to right: Liam Cotter (conformation judge), Pat Corbet (ISA president), Karen Coffey, Anna Dangerfield (ridden judge) and Alex Deon (Horse Sport Ireland).

All Ireland Ridden Hunter Champion

Mr Shakespeare (ISH) by Olympic Lux (KWPN) out of Bright Ray (ISH). Breeder: Mrs Bridget O’Donoghue. Owner: Lyndsey O’Brien. Rider: Lyndsey O’Brien.

From left to right: Pat Corbet (ISA president), Liam Cotter (conformation judge), Lyndsey O’Brien and Anna Dangerfield (ridden judge).