Irish Draught Horse Society

The BETTY SKELTON MEMORIAL SHOW - 19 AUGUST

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:16:44 +0100

Schedule & Entry Form now available in 'Downloads' - 'Shows Information'.

Take the Right Tack Against Theft

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:08:28 +0100

“A horse without its tack is like a car without a steering wheel.” That’s how one victim of tack theft summed-up her frustration after thieves smashed their way into her locked tack room and stole several items, including valuable saddles, bridles and head-collars.

Alison Murfit lives a 10 minute drive away from her yard and the first thing she knew about the theft was when a neighbouring farmer disturbed the thieves and raised the alarm. When Alison arrived she discovered the thieves had smashed through the tack room door with a sledgehammer to gain entry, presumably after finding the door securely locked:

“My tack room is a brick building with secure locks but even this didn’t deter the thieves. They had obviously come prepared to get into the building by whatever means necessary.”

Alison, who is a customer of the Whittlesey branch of large rural insurer NFU Mutual, was able to claim for the loss of her stolen items; however, certain items, like an Albion dressage saddle Alison purchased for £1,000 in 1998, have sentimental value which made their loss even more upsetting.

Perhaps even more galling, is the fact that Alison’s saddle was sold at a car boot sale some 40 miles away less than two months later, for just £50!
Fortunately for Alison, her tack had been marked just two weeks previously under the Cambridgeshire Countryside Watch scheme and Alison’s missing saddle came to light when a generous husband bought it from a car boot sale for his wife. She recognised that the saddle was very expensive and in very good condition. Upon inspection, the lady found the Cambridgeshire Countryside Watch’s stamp and called the telephone number only to discover that the saddle had been stolen. Her honesty meant that the saddle could be recovered, although her poor husband was sadly £50 out of pocket.
NFU Mutual has seen an increase in tack theft from large livery yards and is urging both horse owners and people buying items of tack to work together to combat the problem. To help, NFU Mutual has produced the following advice:

When Buying Tack
- Car boot sales and internet sales sites are favourites with tack thieves trying to move stolen tack – be vigilant.
- Check items of tack carefully for identification marks or tags before buying. Identification stamps are usually located on the panel beneath the saddle-flap and, on the bridle, they are usually located on the underside of the head-piece where it fits behind the ears.
- If you spot marked items of tack being sold, report this to the police.
- Remember – by making life difficult for tack thieves you are helping to protect your own tack in the future.

Protecting Existing Tack
- Never leave tack and equipment lying around the yard as this is very tempting for opportunist thieves - if it is not in use, it is much safer locked in the tack room.
- Amid the excitement of a show or event, do not forget that your tack is vulnerable to thieves. Always lock your tack inside the horsebox or car when it is not in use.
- Adequate lighting on the yard is essential for both security and safety. Consider security lights which come on automatically when they detect movement.
- If there is not always someone present at the yard, do not always arrive and leave at the same time. Try to vary your routine in order that your movements are not predictable for a thief.
- Have all your items of tack marked or fitted with a microchip tag.

For information on NFU Mutual’s business, home, and vehicle insurance contact your local NFU Mutual branch or call 0800 197 1283. For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.
NFU Mutual is The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982).
Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. A member of the Association of British Insurers.

SINCERE THANKS

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:30:27 +0100

We would like to thank all those wonderful friends and acquaintances within the Society who gave us so much comfort, love and support in the six weeks leading up to and including the tragic death of our beautiful daughter, Nina, on 10th May and for their continuing care and concern throughout the funeral and ever since.

The messages and flowers were overwhelming and we have kept every one of the almost 200 cards of condolence which we received, along with the 150 cards of attendance at Nina’s funeral.

It is still very hard for us to come to terms with what has happened but we are trying to rebuild our lives with the help of our wonderful friends and family.

We will not name names here, but there were several special people who were there with us every step of the way and continue to support us still. You all know who you are and also know that your care and concern is so much appreciated and will never be forgotten.

To all those who sent donations in lieu of flowers to be shared between Nina’s two charities, The Leeds Asthma Swimming Club and Help for Heroes, we were humbled that just over £900.00 was raised in Nina’s memory.

Thank you all,
Norma and David Grubb

NW Irish Draught & Hunter Show

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:46:09 +0100

Church Farm, Mawdesley Lancs 21st August 2010

Time to get your entries in for the North West Irish Draught & Hunter Show.
We have a full range of affiliated Ridden and In hand Irish Draught classes as well as open classes for Cobs, Hunters and Working
Hunters.

This year there are 2 new classes:
1. Any Breed Brood mare - for mares not graded with IDHS (GB) or Grade 1 ID SH but with a foal eligible for registration on the Grade 1 ID SH Register.
2. Colt or Filly Foal out of mare as above.

Please support these new classes as we have added them in response to comments made in previous years.
In addition to our normal excellent prizes, we also have two new trophies to award and vouchers from the Holcombe Hunt for 1st & 2nd winners in the Leisure Horse and Working Hunter classes.

Come and support one of the few shows in the North West to have a full range of affiliated clases for Irish Draughts. It is also probably the last opportunity to qualify for Blue Chip, NFU and Snowford Championships at the Annual Breed Show in September.
Come along and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and make use of the lovely facilities at Church Farm, Mawdesley Lancs. Spectators also most welcome.
Entries close 6th August but open classes may enter on the day at extra cost.
The schedule can be downloaded from this website here or contact me with any quereis you may have.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Carol Rudd
(Tel 01625 873662 or carolruddATtiscali.co.uk)

Website User Accounts

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:07:11 +0100

All website user accounts that have not been accessed within the last 63 days have been deleted. This will be ongoing every 60-90 days - please log on occasionally if you wish to keep your account active.
(274 accounts were deleted !!!)
Dave, Webmaster

ANGLESEY SHOW 10 & 11 AUGUST

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:09:32 +0100

The only show in Wales that holds Irish Draught in hand and ridden classes. Closing date for entries: Tuesday June 29th.

Tel. 01407 720072 www.angleseyshow.org.uk

Please support this show so that we can put the Irish Draught on the map here in the North. The Anglesey County Show is one of the largest shows in Wales.

SIOE MON 10/11 O AWST DOSBARTH I'R IRISHDRAUGHT MEWN LLAW HEFYD O DAN GYFRWY.YR UNIG SIOE YNG CHYMRU GYDA DOSBARTHAU I'R IRISHDRAUGHT.

Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association National Breed Show

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:55:44 +0100

Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association National Breed Show
Saturday July 31st 2010

at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Mullingar, Co Westmeathwill
Judging will commence at 10:30 am sharp

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
Mare of the Future Championship - Progeny Class - Ridden Irish Draught Championship - Le TREC Exhibition Class - Leisure Horse Class
Irish Draught Stallion Exhibition - ID In-Hand Gelding Championship - Inter Branch Perpetual Shield - Young Show Person Class

Enquiries to: Mrs Helen Kelly, Derrynagarra, Collinstown, Co Westmeath
Tel: +353 (0)44 9661199 E-mail: idhbaATeircom.net
Show website

South West Irish Draught Show 2010

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:27:46 +0100

South West Irish Draught Show 2010 We're back for 2010 and better than ever! More classes and great trophies for every class at the SW ID Show, based at The Stourhead Show, at Stourhead, near Mere in Wiltshire on Sunday 1st August 2010. NEW FOR 2010 In-Hand & Ridden classes for ID/IDSH that are currently un-registered with the IDHS(GB) NEW FOR 2010 The John Mennell Overall Points Championship and Reserve Championship for points gained in classes throughout the day. More HUGE trophies! The more classes you enter, the more points you get, so come along and have a go! Fabulous showground, easy access via the A303, great company, great horses, a Pimms picnic and lots of other classes to compete in at the Stourhead Show. Dressage, hunters, workers, RH, cobs, show jumping...and even a dog show! What more could you ask for on a glorious August weekend? Please check out: www.stourheadshow.co.uk Schedules, Entry Form and B&B information are now available to download via this website, or contact Lindsey on 01963 31518

South West ID Show 2010

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:26:17 +0100

Otley Show - Ridden Pure Bred Irish Draught

Sun, 23 May 2010 15:15:12 +0100

We had a fabulous but rather "hot" day, at Otley Show yesterday, to say the least. The Irish Draught Ridden Class brought some super horses forward, and from being initially brought in fourth, and then moved up to first mean't so much to myself and my husband. It is the first full year under saddle for our young horse, and winning the class yesterday was fabulous. From seing "Radley" as a cheeky yearling, and working with her to get her to show standard has been amazing. Having such a super day as yesterday, makes all the hard work and sweat worthwhile. Radley "Low Moor Purple Heather" is still only 5 yrs, and we are so looking forward to her maturing over the next few years, and maturing into a magnificant animal.