Irish Draught Horse Society

HOYS 2011

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:33:56 +0100

Reigning Supreme at HOYS 2011....
Horse of the Year Show 2011 proved to be another fantastic renewal of the 'World's Most Famous Horse Show' which saw a whole host of champions crowned across the various equestrian disciplines ...... more

ANNUAL BREED SHOW 2011 - THANK YOU

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:21:33 +0100

The Show Team Committee wish to sincerely thank all our Sponsors, Judges, Stewards and all other unpaid volunteers, for their help and support at the Breed Show on 10/11 September at Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex.

We also wish to thank the many competitors for bringing their lovely horses for everyone�s pleasure, and all the spectators for joining us.
A special mention must be made for Amanda and Carol who made everything run so smoothly in the Secretary�s Office and Nigel (The Voice) Hill for his tireless commentary on both days; also Nigel Wakefield and Andrew Witcombe and their team of stewards who effortlessly kept the rings running to time.
The show could not be the success it was without you all

You can contact the Show Team Committee on breedshowATidhsgb.com

NOTICE TO ALL IDHS (GB) PANEL JUDGES

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:06:00 +0100

The Showing Council is holding its Inaugural Conference on Sunday 30 October 2011 at The Hinckley Island Hotel, Watling Street (A5) LE10 3JA

An innovative event, to promote awareness and debate on the growth and development of the Showing industry; be part of the future and acknowledge the history.

You are asked to arrive at 9.15 am for a 9.30 am prompt start. The day should end at approximately 4.00 pm.

The cost is �35.00 per person, to include lunch

Tickets available from:
Debbie Miller
c/o Stretcholt Farm
Stretcholt
Nr Bridgewater
Somerset TA6 4SR
Tel: 01278 683312
e-mail bmhsinfoATaol.com

JUDGES ARE ADVISED THAT THIS CONFERENCE WILL COUNT AS ONE OF THE COMPULSORY JUDGES� TRAINING SEMINARS
(See Rule c) on page 1 of the Judges� Handbook)

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Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:39:00 +0100

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Newsletter errata

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:31:37 +0100

We humbly apologise for an error in the article on studbook harmonisation, which concludes on page 11 of the spring newsletter. The start of the final paragraph should read:

'Readers should bear in mind that the stallions graded from 2001 to 2010 have been deemed to be S2 in Ireland for the past 10 years. Our stallions graded from 1995 to 2000 have, until now, been deemed to be S1 in Ireland'.

This is entirely my fault for burning the midnight oil. I hope that it has not caused too much confusion.
Heather Chaplin

A new RID stallion for breeders in New Zealand

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:26:00 +0100

A new RID stallion for breeders in New Zealand

Ballineen Blue Mountain (RID 2006) is to move to New Zealand at the end of August. His new owners, Malcolm and Lisa Beck, will be showing him in hand, and competing him show jumping, and in working hunter classes. Malcolm and Lisa decided to take an Irish Draught stallion to New Zealand as - having hunted Irish Draughts - they are great admirers of the breed's brain and soundness.

As there are a very limited number of RID stallions available in New Zealand - most by AI - the Becks see Ballineen Blue Mountain being in demand for breeding competition horses. He will be based on the North Island in the Hawks Bay region, but will no doubt be made available by AI to breeders further afield in New Zealand and Australia.

Owner/Breeder Enid Lord said: "He's now 5, but due to my back problems he is not yet backed. He needs a job - and I think this will be a fabulous home for him. I'll be making him available to UK breeders by AI only until he goes to Newmarket on 23 August for a month's quarantine with IRT. He then flies to Auckland, where he'll do a further 2 weeks quarantine before joining the Becks."

Ballineen Blue Mountain is by Enid's senior stallion Bealagh Blue (by Touch of the Blues) out of her very good home-bred mare, Ballineen Glen Abbess (by Torspark Benedict.)

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FLYING THE IRISH DRAUGHT FLAG AT HOYS 2010

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:35:15 +0000

The Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) were invited to take part in the Interactive Breed Feature for the first time this year and the public were delighted to be able to meet two pure bred geldings, Guiding Light (Becks) on Wednesday, and Cabra West (Tigger), who had been competing in the HW hunters on Wednesday, spent the rest of the week (Thursday to Sunday) entertaining his adoring public! Literally thousands of people visited the Feature area and were stood 10-deep outside the stables, waiting patiently to touch and see the horses. Many thanks to Val Henshaw and Sam Roche for loaning us their lovely horses; both were a credit to themselves, their owners and to the Breed. All the visitors to the stand were impressed by the large posters of Draughts in different disciplines and were most complimentary.

Tigger had just returned from the Irish Draught Annual Breed Show where he had been the winner of the Blue Chip and IDHS (GB) �2,000 Challenge for the second year running. Both these horses thrive on attention and stole the show in what was a great week for the Irish Draught Horse.

Top rider and producer, Robert Oliver, Vice President of the Society and winner of the HW Hunters in 2009, pulled it out of the bag again when he took the Top Spec Heavyweight Hunter title, for the second year running, on purebred Irish Draught gelding, Loughkeen Dancing Lord. By Registered Irish Draught stallion, Crosstown Dancer ex Loughkeen Lady, this talented eight-year-old, owned by Mrs Bernie White, was foot perfect and was a most popular winner.

In the evening performance, he was crowned Reserve Supreme Champion Hunter of the Year, a step up from his 2009 performance and The Supreme Champion Hunter of the Year title went to Robert Walker, on MW Champion, Pride and Joy. The spectators were delighted to see Robert back in the saddle after his dreadful illness earlier this year.

There were many pure and part-bred Irish Draughts across all three weights and Katie Tyler, Marketing Director of Top Spec Feeds, who sponsor the ridden hunter Championships at HOYS, said :

�Year after year, the Irish Draught influence in the Hunter Classes becomes more and more prevalent. The horses are easily distinguishable, with their superior bone, temperament, presence and obvious desire to please. They truly are a force to be reckoned with.�

On Friday evening, the Champion Cob was Hallmark IX, owned by Rosemary Hetherington, ridden by Jack Cochrane. This beautiful horse is also a Purebred Irish Draught, further highlighting the Breed�s versatility.

Those of us who love the Draught are already aware of their versatility, talent and calm, unruffled temperaments, but this was a great opportunity to bring the Draught to the attention of all the visitors, spectators and other riders at this most prestigious show. Many people were very surprised to learn that Lenamore, winner of Burghley 2010, was 50% Irish Draught (by Sea Crest) and was only 15.1hh. We certainly plan to be back next year.

The breed Feature was closed to the public from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm everyday, to allow the horses and ponies to have a rest and on Sunday lunchtime we had a visit from a special lady, Gina Holland, from Birmingham. Gina had been a horse enthusiast in her younger days, but now she is debilitated by illness and unable to walk. The stewards asked if she could be wheeled in to see the Irish Draught whilst there were no crowds and Tigger was only too happy to oblige. This gentle creature stayed absolutely still whilst Gina�s daughter lifted her hand to stroke his muzzle. He blew softly on her face and her smile of delight lit up her face and the entire area.

Another welcome visitor was Susan Finnerty, a journalist from Ireland, and her write up appeared in both the Irish Journal and the Irish Field, so thank you, Susan.

Grateful thanks must go to all the helpers on the Breed Stand during the week;
Beth Brown, Norma and David Grubb, Val Henshaw, Rob Beeton and Guiding Light, Jean Marshall, Louise Morton, Mark Reeves, Sam Roche and Cabra West, Lucinda Roche, William Roche, Pam Symonds, Sue Tutcher, Poppy Tutcher and Mary Wilson
Thanks also to the many Members who visited the stand to show their support and to man the fort whilst those of us who were there all day had a break for a cup of tea and a sandwich. It was much appreciated by all.