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As usual Show Supremo Paddy Yank McDonagh was awarded the bonus of extra-good weather for his July Show day. Niamh’s Weblog – carrying baggage in the form of a walking frame – was a late arrival on the day but was kindly helped out by photographer Tom Broderick and his willingness to fill the many gaps with his own pictures. Thank you Tom.

First Red rosette of the morning went to Caroline Lydon’s Yearling filly, Nóinín Cashel by the multi-decorated Currachmore Cashel and out of Silver Pearl. This particular Silver Pearl, now owned by Eamonn Burke, had been bred by Caroline’s Carraroe neighbour, Tom Faherty and the repatriated Nóinín Cashel has proved a lucky purchase for her new owner.

After the well-filled filly class, the yearling Colt Class produced only 4 contenders and the No.1 spot was taken by Roundstone’s Martin Keaney’s Sweet Joker (Castleside Carrig-Sweet Ferdia) a quality bay colt, ahead of his brother Thomas’Murvey Paddy (Dooneen Just Joey-Murvey Cara.)

Teach Mór Knight (Castle Knight-Lishmar Lady Donna) was the winner of the 2 and 3 year Colt Class for Inverin’s Padraig Folan and also the Judges choice for Reserve Junior Champion.

Shanna Rose (Janus-Gleann Rua Sea Mist) and Seamus Keady received the Marty Devane Challenge Cup from the Devane family for best 3yr old filly. Picture courtesy of Tom Broderick.

The Junior Championship went to the 2yr old locally-bred filly winner, Declan O’Flynn’s Cool Secret (Coill Rua Champ-Secret Pal), a beautiful toffee coloured dun. She carries the breeding lines of Gorteen Boy who is out of Gloves Misty and has Village Girl and Carna Dun in her pedigree also.

Brian Keaney of Murvey, Roundstone took Red in the Open Youth Class with Thomas Keaney’s Proud Princess (Mountain Cascade-Kim)

Illaunurra Heather (Silver Shadow-Illaunurra Mist) with her foal gained for breeder/owner Pat O’Neill a ticket to the RDS for the Connemara Breeders Championship Qualifier in August. No up-to-date photo but I was happy to find my picture of her as a 2yr old filly when she won Reserve Championship at Oughterard Show in 2008.

Feichín and Kerry King were the happy winners of the Filly Foal Class with Bunowen Castle Lady Holly by Dunloughan Troy (Currachmore Cashel) last years winner of the 3yr old stallion class at Clifden with breeder Terence Sweeney and out of -Bunowen Castle Lady)

but were pipped in the Foal Championship by the Colt Foal winner, Declan O’Flynn’s well-grown bay Ballylee Coill Champ (Coill Rua Champ-Woodbrook Lady) Pic 9 There was a strong bay presence at the Show this year and Woodbrook Lady (Tynagh Miller-Mayfly Lady) went on to later win the Bay Mare Class for the day,s top winner Declan O’Flynn who went happily home to Annaghdown, east of Lough Corrib with 5 sets of Rosettes and Trophies including 2 Championships, the Junior and the Champion foal.

Cathy Snow Coyne’s homebred Moorland Snowy River (Laerkens Cascade Dawn-Easter Trixie) The 9yr old, shown by Cathy’s husband Martin, had to beat a whole phalanx of former stallion champions to take this class ahead of Eamon Burke’s Coolilaun Cushlawn (Currachmore Cashel-Glencarrig Aisling) in order to take the Brian Mullen trophy home to Renvyle. Snowy River traces back to Johnny Lee’s Dale Haze in Moycullen and before that to Tully Lad and Mountain Lad. He also carries the genes of Coosheen Finn, Finola of Leam and Doon Paddy.

In a large Class of 17 mares in the 4-7 age group, it was eventually Cáillin Conneely’s Glencarrig Rose Marie (Glencarrig Prince, April Rose) who emerged head of the lineup to take the Red followed by Alaoise Halpin’sRoundstone Philomena (Coral Dun, Roundstone Mary).

Glencarrig breeding came to the fore again when Padraig and Nicola Heanue’s Glencarrig Kim (Castlestrange Fionn, Glencroft Amy was pulled in ahead of Sinéad Lusby McGrath’s Lucky Secret (Tulira Roebuck-Tulira Mavourneen) to take the King Family trophy in the 7-12 Yr. old Mares Class.

The over 13 mare Class was taken by Jane Andrews’ show ring campaigner, Coral Misty’s Jane (Cloonisle Cashel-Coral Misty this year with her foal t foot) andshown by Tom Conneely. Coral Misty’s Jane also took the Reserve Supreme to stand next to the sparkling

Moorland Snowy River – making it quite a habit this year – again standing supreme Champion of the Show at Roundstone.
Go to www.roundstoneevents.ie for Results and further information.

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