Claregalway ’09

Sunday 23^rd August, the day of Claregalway Show, was an incredibly wet day, one of a long line of such days that we’ve had this summer. It was so disappointing for the Committee who put so many planning hours of work into the Show each year, and then, on the day, are faced with such a washout. But the Show went on as planned at Duffy’s Equestrian Centre, and the blog managed to snap a few pictures between showers.

Glencarrig Romeo, Junior Champion with Patrick McGrath and nephew Evan

Local man Kieran McGrath won the 2yr old Colt class with his Glencarrig Romeo (Bunowen Bobby – Fairyhill Helen) and Judges Siobhan Naughton and Niamh Melody also awarded him the Junior Championship: This quality colt stayed on to later take the Reserve Supreme in sunshine later in the afternoon.

Pat &Mzary Rabbitt with Foal Champion, show Chairman Val Noone — Pat & Mary Rabbitt with Foal Champion. centre,Show Chairman Val Noone

Pat and Mary Rabbitt were happy to take the Paul Fleming Memorial Cup back to Co Westmeath with their Champion foal, the well-grown filly by Linsfort Barney out of their own Monaghanstown Sheeba. The late Paul Fleming was one of the founder members of the Show nineteen years ago and it’s good to see his memory live on with this Trophy.

Dusty Oak 3 - 5 yr. winner with John Nee and son Ronan — Dusty Oak 3 – 5 yr. winner with John Nee and son Ronan

It is also good to see children so interested in the in-hand ponies and we snapped another young boy Ronan Nee who stands proudly with his father John after their mare had won the 3-5 yr old class with Dusty Oak (Abbeyfort – Barna Dusty)

The winner of the 3 – 5 year old stallion class was Padraig Gannon’s Cornarone Hazy Lad (Frederiksminde Hazy Match – Atlantic Colette) and I think we will hear more of this up-and-coming young stallion in future years.

Glencarrig Heather with Rachel, Ronan & grandfather Paddy Walsh

The Walsh family from Moycullen was there in force, three generations of Walshs, to enjoy seeing their mare, Tom Walsh’s Glencarrig Heather (Rebel Justice – Coosheen Breeze) win the 10 – 16 yr. old mare class with her colt foal by Currachmore Cashel at foot. Illustrious blood here as Coosheen Breeze is one of the last surviving Coosheen Finn mares and Currachmore Cashel needs no introduction in this blog.

Knockillaree Tomas won stallion class with owner Roger Joyce

The Dublin stallion winner, Roger Joyce’s Knockillaree Tomás (Calla Boy – Annaghdown Dusty) again covered the ground with his renowned extended trot and took the stallion Class award (and the Supreme Championship at the end of the day) A stallion class by its nature is always a strong class, given the rigorous nature of the selection process for Connemara stallions. Second in line in this

strong stallion class was Peter Kyne’s 5 yr. old Newtown Pedro (Frederiksminde Hazy – Cloonisle Heather). In third place was Jarlath Grogan’s Mountain Cascade ( Laerkens Cascade Dawn – Mountain Lady), well placed in Clifden 10 days earlier. Meanwhile over in Duffy’s sand arena the Connemara Ridden qualifiers were taking place. The blog got there as things were winding upto get a picture of the winner and qualifier for Sunday’s Cannon Ball Trophy Final at Oughterard,

Mr What & Nicola Phelan qualified for Oughterard's Sunday Cannon ball Championship — Mr What & Nicola Phelan qualified for Oughterard’s Sunday Cannon ball Championship

This was Nicola Whelan who rode Mr. What (Village King – Meadow Harp) for owner Elizabeth Maher. The other two who qualified were Sandra O’Donnell’s Poulnaclough Lad (Glenvalley Grey – Clough Tara) and Lucy Tottenham’s Cloragh April Jewel (Ashfield Hunters Jewel – Milford Ladybird) ridden by daughter Joanna Tottenham.