Irish Draught Horses excel at the Riding Clubs Festival

The Irish Draught Horse Studbook, which is maintained under licence by Horse Sport Ireland, were delighted to Sponsor the Performance Irish Draught Classes at the AIRC festival.
There was a significant increase in the numbers of Irish Draught horses competing at the Association of Irish Riding Clubs Festival, which took place at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co. Laois on Saturday 10th and Sunday June 11th last.

A total of 26 Irish Draughts were entered in the The Irish Draught Horse Studbook sponsored showing class where Barbervilla Lily (ID C1) ridden by Drynam’s Sophie Marks (pictured above) retained the championship title which they won last year.
Barbervilla Lily (ID C1) – 2009 Chestnut Mare by Gortfree Hero (ID C1) out of BallygarrisRose (ID) by Inver Steel (ID C1) bred by Michael Jennings, owned and ridden by Sophie Marks.
Judges Tim Wilson (conformation) and Chloe Osbourne (ridden) favoured the eight-year-old Gortfree Hero (ID C1) mare, bred by Michael Jennings. Loughmelvin Cochrann ridden by Gillian Barry was given the nod for reserve champion.

For the second year running, Sophie Marks missed out on a double win when the Drynam rider had to settle for the blue ribbon in the performance class as the 13-year-old stallion, Killinick Bouncer (ID C1) impressed Clare Oakes and Glenn Farrell Walker to claim the honours for the Carne club. Killinick Bouncer (ID C1) – 2004 Grey Stallion by Grange Bouncer(ID C1) out of Eileen Dun (RID) by Flagmount King (ID C1) bred by Leslee Asbury owned by Jack Lambert and ridden by Sue Corish

Ashbrook’s Carolina Gullberg & HSI’s Michelle O’Reilly

Elsewhere, Ashbrook’s Carolina Gullberg was rewarded with a special Horse Sport Ireland award for her eight-year-old Irish Draught, Lurganbawn Charlie (ID).
Lurganbawn Charlie (ID) – 2009 Bay Gelding by Gurraun Golden Eye (ID C1) out of Lurganbawn Amber Light (ID) by Drumri (ID C1) bred and owned by John Joe Cooney ridden by Carolina Gullberg.
The John Joe Cooney bred bay gelding claimed the award after Lurganbawn Charlie, ridden by Gullberg, achieved an impressive 81% in their dressage competition, the highest percentage of any Irish Draught in the individual dressage competitions at the show.

Horse Sport Ireland wish all the connections many congratulations on their success