The Performance Awards scheme was introduced around 1993 and very kindly set-up by Mrs Cook. The objectives of the Performance Award Scheme are to encourage and reward the performance capabilities of the Irish Draught horse, both pure and part-bred. The importance of versatility is recognised and it is hoped that the wide range of events and classes will encourage even the single horse owner to take part.

The competition has awards, in the form of rosettes and trophies, for Unaffiliated, Junior, Pure Bred and Overall Champion. All competitors who gain over 300 points will receive a rosette and an achievement card. Points can be gained in a variety of disciplines, ranging from showing, show-jumping, dressage, long distance and hunter trials to name but a few, affiliated and un-affiliated sections are catered for also. The aforementioned disciplines can be ridden astride or side saddle.

In 2007 In-Hand, Loose Jumping, Le Trec and Jump Cross were added to the points system, as-well as a special award for the most points gained In-Hand. At just £10 (£5 for Juniors, i.e. up to 18 years), and £15 for non-members,  it does encourage the average rider or competitor to get out with their Irish Draughts and show everyone just how versatile they are. The 'Rules & Conditions for the Irish Draught Horse Society Performance Awards' can be viewed below.

Rules & Conditions for the IDHS (GB) Performance Awards - HERE
Download Entry Form or Rules - Downloads/Forms - here
Online Entry Form - here

For entry forms, further information regarding the Performance Award Scheme or just a chat, contact Liz Langford on 01432 353468 (evenings) or 07940 826945.

 

IRISH DRAUGHT PERFORMANCE AWARDS 2007/08

NEW SPONSORS - FOX GRANT HEREFORD

The Irish Draught Horse Society’s Performance Awards for 2007/08 are to be sponsored by Fox Grant Hereford.

Fox Grant are one of the leading medium to higher end Rural Estate Agents and Auctioneers in the region selling Country Cottages to Country Estates and Farms to Equestrian Smallholdings.
They are currently ranked No 2 in the UK in Farmers Weekly Country Property (based on volume).
    We are wildly recognised as having a refreshingly dynamic and imaginative approach to marketing and regularly achieve sales at premium prices.
 

This generous sponsorship means that the prize money can be extended and increased.
In 2007/08 the prizes will be as follows:
Each section winner will receive £50 and a rosette
The Overall Champion will receive an additional £100 and a rug plus a rosette
Don't miss out - contact Liz Langford today on 01432 353468 (evenings) mobile 07940 826 945

PERFORMANCE AWARDS 2007 WINNER AND VETERAN CHAMPION

EMBLA YARROW and Heather White 6210
Embla Yarrow is a 16 year old ¾ ID x TB mare by Embla Stateman out of Embla Jade and is owned and ridden by Heather White. Bred by Mr and Mrs George McMaster
 

Yarrow (or Emmy as is known at home) was bought from the Embla Stud as an unbroken 7 year old broodmare. If had been my intention to buy a youngster but fell in love with her.

I didn’t actually start competing Emmy until she was 13 years old. Having been badly treated where she was sent for breaking it took me 6 years to regain her trust and to start the whole progress over again, although to be honest it seemed like forever and I did on many occasions feel like giving up.

Eventually, however in 2003 we took our first step on the competition ladder and had her graded with SHB(GB). I threw us both in at the deep end really as the grading was taking place at the National Hunter Show. She was absolutely brilliant and took it all in her stride. I was thrilled when she was accepted onto the Head Stud Book and even more thrilled later that year to learn that she had been graded 4th highest in the country with a mark of 9.14.

Having started on a high we pressed on and initially contested heavyweight show hunter classes both locally and at county level quite successfully. Unfortunately 2005 saw her sustain a check ligament injury which wrote off our entire season. It also brought to an end our showing career to a larger extent, although we occasionally do a class or two if the ground is good as she does like a good gallop with the others.

As a result of this disappointment we decided to turn our hooves to dressage and this is where she has found her forte. Having struggled initially, since starting training with Lee Pearson, we have gone from strength to strength. The 2006/07 season has been our best so far not only qualifying for our local equestrian centres affiliated and unaffiliated dressage championships, but also qualifying for the British Dressage Winter Regionals at Prelim an the Petplan Equine Festival Finals at Novice Restricted.

Having progressed so well we are now starting our Elementary work and it’s onwards and upwards in 2008.
Heather White

2nd AND RID CHAMPION
OLD HOUSE VE DAY MOON and Andy and Fiona Bithell 4645
Stable name Annie RID, 12 year old: Bred by Mr & Mrs W L Addams-Williams out of Roma Atlantic Moonshine & Arrandels Purple Heather

We’ve had a super year together this year achieving so much more than I ever could have imagined. We compete in affiliated dressage and these years made it to the regional finals at Oldencraig, and have loads of fun and done really well in freestyle to music.

Annie and I have embarked on a new venture this year riding side saddle and we did our stage 1&2 side saddle association exams in September which we passed.

Although we do mainly dressage we have ended this performance award year with some super days out hunting. We are so lucky to have such a versatile horse and loyal friend.
Fiona Bithell

3rd KENSONS ROSE DIAMOND and Lucinda Sims 4140

8 year old RID mare by Roma Diamond Skip out of Kensons Pebble. Bred and owned by Caroline Collinssplatt and ridden by Lucinda Sims.

2007 has been an odd year as I was involved in selling my property. Subsequently this fell through but in the interim the horses took rather a back seat. However, from limited opportunities Rosie went out and about consolidating her Affiliated successes from 2006. She was never unplaced in her Dressage tests and found Intro Eventing a breeze qualifying for the Intro Championship. So we decided to do some Pre Novice although for various reasons she only did three but was quite wonderful - going clear at all three. Interestingly Horse Trials Dressage judges did not seem to like her tests unlike the "pure" Dressage judges! As a result we were just out of the placings. Roll on 2008 where we will be adding Affiliated Show Jumping to her repertoire. Rosie is a wonderful little horse and she gives Caroline and me so much pleasure as she continues to fly the flag for the pure-bred Irish Draught and attracts new admirers to the breed. In 2008 we shall be going all out to attempt to regain the title she won in 2006.
Lucinda Simms


4th and UNAFFILLATED CHAMPION
Bridgeford Barnaby and Rachel Rozier 4060
13 year old AID gelding by Cummer Hero out of Bridgeford Silver Rose. Bred by Carol Wragg and owned and ridden by Rachel Rozier.

Came to me as an unseen two year-old eleven years ago. I knew nothing about Irish Draughts but was assured that he would make a nice middleweight. He was backed at four and we spent our time hacking out locally. Being a traditional, chestnut chunky type of I.D. we had endless comments of "Where's the cart?" and "That horse should be pulling a plough!” We still get regularly asked if Barney is a Suffolk Punch!

Barney spent two seasons hunting with our local harriers, ridden by a friend, as I had decided to have a rest from horses and concentrate on my other great hobby of metal detecting (Anorak?) When he came home at the end of the hunting season he looked so handsome that I couldn't
believe he was the same horse because he had matured so much. From then on I decided to make the most of him and his lovely amenable nature. We did some local shows- show jumping and cross country, and at our first dressage show we managed to fall out of the arena much to the amusement of my pals. However, with lots of hard work and lessons from our brilliant trainer Simone, and the indispensable help of my great friend Debs and the encouragement of all the friendly folk at Queach Farm in Suffolk we had some good results at dressage and have actually affiliated and got one point so far! Our jumping has also improved and I can honestly say that I am still always amazed at the placings Barney manages to achieve.

I am now a total I.D. fan and would never consider owning any other breed. Barney is a pleasure to own and most importantly we have had such great fun achieving our points.
Rachel Rozier

5th Tieraclea Lady and Lisa Durant 2685
11 year old AID mare by Lady's Tralee Raj out of Westfield Bells. Bred by Mrs H Bracewell and owned and ridden by Lisa Durant.

I have owned Lulu for two and a half years now. I didn't go out to buy an Irish draught I actually was looking for another Bay Hanoverian like my other horse Candy but there was just something about Lulu that I liked and so she came home with me.

Lulu was bought as a horse with a bit of an attitude her speciality being to buck people off.
However with a bit of perseverance and help from my brilliant instructor Fiona Lace, Lulu has turned into a real all-rounder and an absolute star.

She has turned her hoof to a number if different disciplines. We have started doing elementary dressage this year getting 60% in her first test. Lulu has also been placed consistently in working hunter and showjumping classes as well as starting her eventing career with a clear round Bold Heaths intro.

My ambition with lulu is to one day do Medium Dressage with her and to do some pre novice eventing. Although we have had our ups and downs I wouldn't swap her for the world!
Lisa Durant

6th Claybank Hannah B (R.I.D.) and Sarah De Leon 2300
By Western Sun (RID) Out of Gemma B (RID). Bred and owned by Mrs Jane Broughton and ridden by Sarah De Leon.

©  Photo courtesy of Neil B Jones

I have had the ride on Claybank Hannah since June 2005. This was a dream come true for me as I have known and liked Hannah since she was a foal.

2007 was the first year that we entered the I.D.H.S (GB) Performance Awards. Hannah is a true all round horse and we have competed in Unaffiliated Dressage, Combined Training, Ridden and In Hand showing, Showjumping and Working Hunter - winning our class at the Border Union Show at Kelso. She has won or has been placed at most things that we have done. Next Spring Hannah is going to go to Stud, so the season will be quieter with fewer shows.
I would like to thank Jane Broughton for letting me have Hannah to ride and the I.D.H.S (GB) for winning the awards.
Sarah De Leon

IN-HAND CHAMPION 2007
Tyson’s Diamond Cove 615
2 year old ID Sport Horse filly by Tyson (KWPN) out of Chance Cove (SID). Bred and owned by Liz Langford.
 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Daisy for the therapy that she has given me during this show season. During July & first part of August my father was seriously ill and later died. Throughout all this Daisy and Chance Cove kept me focused and going without them, life would have been unbearable.

Those that know Daisy are fully aware that “wicked, cheeky monkey and typical Chestnut Filly” describe her fully. This season has been a mixed one where we have had to battle show rings that are literally going underwater as we are competing and then the opposite where Factor 15 sun cream still hasn’t helped us in the heat, but Daisy has shone through and proven that she is going to be an all-rounder.

2007/08 campaign manager already working on party schedule, along with being broken in, Daisy is going to be busy. All I ask is can we please have good weather it is costing a fortune in shampoo and whitener to keep those socks gleaming!
Liz Langford

See all of the above photos in the Media Gallery

We had a record amount of entries again this year, but not all returned their completed cards. Below are the final overall placings for those that returned their cards:

For entry forms, further information regarding the Performance Award Scheme or just a chat, contact Liz Langford on 01432 353468 (evenings) or 07940 826945.