Horse Sport Ireland Young Handlers Final at the National Ploughing Championships

  • 20 September 2018, 16:37

The Final of the Young Handler Championship took place on Tuesday the 18th of September at the National Ploughing Championships, Screggan, Co Offaly. There was a total prize fund of €10,000 for the final.

The aim of this Championship was to assist in the development of the skills of young handlers to prepare and present horses for show and sale. The Economic Contribution of the Sport Horse Industry to the Irish Economy 2017 highlighted that since 2012 the involvement of young breeders (≤ 30yrs) in the sport horse industry has declined from 8.1% to 3.7% in 2016. In 2016 just 0.19% of breeders were less than 20 years of age. The Championship is aimed at encouraging more young breeders/producers to become involved in the industry. It will also provide a unique opportunity for young handlers that are new to the industry to become involved in breeding initiatives and to gain contact and information/education and encourage long term involvement in the breeding industry.

Lorcan Glynn & Katie Dineen, Senior and Junior Young Handler winners of the €10,000 Young Handler Championship Final at the National Ploughing Championships which was sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland. (L:R) Declan Mc Ardle (Judge), Katie Dineen (Junior winner), Tiernan Gill (Judge), Lorcan Glynn (Senior Winner) and Andrew Hughes (Judge).

 

Andrew Hughes (Judge) said: “It is a fantastic initiative by HSI and hopefully everyone learned something from it.  The horsemanship on the day was of a very high standard. I think there is room for improvement on the video section, perhaps education days would help to raise the standards in this area”.

Tiernan Gill (Judge) said: “The series was a fantastic way in which to see horses at the National Ploughing Championships. It provides great exposure for the young handlers. I would love to see more equine involvement at the National Ploughing Championships in the future”.

 

Lorcan Glynn from Co Roscommon won the Senior Young Handler Championship Final with a total prize fund of €5,000 which was sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland. (L:R) PJ Lynam (Director of the National Ploughing Association), Lorcan Glynn and Neil Henry (Horse Sport Ireland Breeding Sub Board Member).

Junior Division:

In a strongly contested Junior Division it was Katie Dineen that took the Championship title with Kilmacbea Floss (WPB). The Reserve Championship went to ­­­­­David Brown with KBS Quality Gem (ISH).

Junior Champion – Katie Dineen

Katie qualified at Adamstown show. The 16 year old from Co Cork exhibited Kilmacbea Floss, a 5 year old part bred welsh mare by the welsh stallion Barrera Duke of Windsor. Katie’s successes with this pony include winning the HSI Young Stock All Ireland Championship in 2106and the ISA Irish Show Association Championship Pony in 2017.

Junior Reserve Champion – David Browne

David qualified at Roscommon Show. The 18 year old from Co Kildare exhibited KBS Quality Gem (ISH), an 8 year old gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). David has mostly competed this mare in showjumping to date.

 

 

Katie Dineen from Co Cork won the Junior Young Handler Championship Final with a total prize fund €5,000 which was sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland. (L:R) PJ Lynam (Director of the National Ploughing Association), Katie Dineen and judge Tiernan Gill.

 

The full results were as follows:

Placing First Name Surname Horse
1 Katie Dineen Kilmaceaba Floss (WPB)
2 David Browne KBS Quality Gem (ISH)
3 Catherine Gorton Castle Dartagnan (CP)
4 Abby Stafford Cianna Z (ZANG)
5 Eimear Furlong Thistletown Olympia (ISH)
6 Ciara Mullen King Boy (CP)

 

Katie Dineen (Junior Champion) said: “This series have changed my direction in life. I started showing in Dunmanway this year for the first time. I came 4th and went on to Adamstown to become 3rd and yesterday of course won the final. I want to go on and do equine related course when I finish school. This series has done a lot to improve my confidence. The skills I have learnt and the tips from HSI judges along the way have made me a better handler and I now have better knowledge of the equine industry. Through word of mouth or social media my friends have seen that the equine industry is a great one to work in. Personal thanks to all the staff in HSI for a wonderful series that me and my family got so much out of”.

 

Senior Division

In the Senior Division it was Lorcan Glynn that took home the top honours with Crannaghmore Pearl (ISH), followed by Aidan Williamson in reserve with Greenhall Miss R (ISH).

Senior Champion – Lorcan Glynn

Lorcan qualified at Roscommon Show. The 20 year old from Co Roscommon exhibited Crannaghmore Pearl (ISH), a 3 year old filly by Near Dock (TB). One of Lorcan’s biggest successes with this filly was placing 3rd in the All Ireland 3 year old filly held in Bantry Co. Cork.

Senior Reserve Champion – Aidan Williamson

Aidan qualified at Clarecastle Show. The 22 year old from Co Cork exhibited Greenhall Miss R (ISH), a 4 year old mare by Mermus R (KWPN). One of Aidan’s biggest successes with this mare to date was winning the 4 year old Lightweight Mare Class in the Dublin Horse Show earlier this year.

The full results were as follows:

Placing First Name Surname Horse
1 Lorcan Glynn Crannaghmore Pearl (ISH)
2 Aidan Williamson Greenhall Miss R (ISH)
3 Róisín Mc Grath Mahanagh Heather (CP)
4 Denis O’Driscoll Gairdin Mor Cailin (ISH)
5 Amy Finn Goldfield Fantasy (ISH) [TIH]
6 Brian O’Neill Killnagross Isobelle (ISH)

 

Lorcan Glynn (Senior Champion) said: I am delighted to be crowned the winner of this prestigious competition, I enjoyed the whole experience from qualifying in Roscommon Agricultural show, to producing the video, researching the stallion and the big day out at the National Ploughing Championship. I found it very interesting having to research the given stallion. Getting to show my filly in the final brought great excitement to my annual trip to the ploughing. It is a brilliant competition to involve and promote the up and coming young handlers and all who share the interest in equine. I would strongly encourage all equine lovers to get involved in competitions like this, it is a brilliant learning curve, where you will meet and make new friends”. 

 

Alison Corbally (Director of Breeding and Programmes) said: “The Feedback from this new initiative has been fantastic, we had hoped it would have an impact, over time, in reversing the trend of the aging age profile of Irish Breeders and producers. We didn’t expect feedback that a number of the participants have reported, that as a result of this initiative and the skills they have acquired, they are now considering pursuing Sport Horse breeding and production as a career path. Many of the participants at the qualifiers have already signed up to participate in the Irish Sport Horse/Teagasc young breeders programme with the possibility of competing internationally. As with any new initiative, we will review it in detail this autumn and will make amendments and improvements for 2019. I would like to congratulate all the winners and participants alike, and to thank the dedicated parents who facilitated their teenager’s participation this year.”

 

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