The Ridden Irish Draught class was introduced for the first time in 2005 and there were some 15 entries so it looked as if this would a class which was to have support - sadly this has not been the case as this years entries dropped dramatically down to 8 entries.

This class is open to mares and geldings only which leaves the stallions out - probably a safety issue but perhaps the organisers could consider running a ridden Irish Draught stallion class as well.

The Irish Draught is the national breed of Ireland and sadly they have not been given the recognition in their homeland - this class was a step in the right direction so i am unsure as to why it was not better supported.

The Judges for the class were Mrs Bridget Millington (from the UK) and Mr Dermot O'Connor (Ire) and they were most impressed with the horses which were in the class.

The final decision took them quite some time with Mrs Millington and Mr O'Connor deliberating for the longest of time but the final decision was agreed with by the huge crowd watching - a crowd which was very international in the languages being spoken and they were a knowledgeable crowd. If there is a sad note to this class it is that non-Irish seem to have more respect and regard for this wonderful breed of horse who combines physical strength and soundness, trainability, temperament and want to please in whatever discipline you ask of them.

So to the class - pulled in first after the first ride was My Georgina, owned by Mrs Jill Casey and ridden by Miss MaryAnn Casey. This handsome mare by Silver Granite out of a Skippy mare was bred by Fintan Flannelly from Kill Equestrian Centre. My Georgina competed in this class in 2005 when she was owned by jumpingaround.com. This mare was taken to Australia as a 2 year old and she was competing very successfully in Dressage. We then brought her back to Ireland as a 9 year old and after 2005 Dublin Horse Show she was sold to Jill Casey who has won most Riding Club Dressage, Jumping and Cross Country classes around Ireland.
My Georgina gets a final spruce up from MaryAnn's boyfriend, Wayne Sherry before she goes into the ring - pictured left.
Pulled in third was Loughkeen Dancing Lord - pictured right - owned by Michael Feeney. This huge chestnut 4 year old is by Crosstown Dancer and was bred by Hugo Perdue from Offaly.

Pulled in 2nd was Willem Savelkouls' Ardattin Mandy. This superb mare was bred by Moira McKenna from Co.Down. The mare is by Annaghdown Star and is 8 years old.

Ardattin Mandy is pictured second in line in picture at left.

In the final lineup after both judges had ridden all the horses the decision had to be made. In an unusual turn of events,the Judges lined the two

mares up and tried to make their decision easier - after several minutes discussion the final placings saw Ardattin Mandy taking the red rosette for first and My Georgina taking the blue rosette for second.

Loughkeen Dancing Lord took the final placing on offer in this class as third.
The Judges - pictured left - ponder their decision.
My Georgina - pictured right - shows a huge gallop for Judge Bridget Millington
A very excited MaryAnn Casey - pictured left - was delighted with her second placing in this class.
Celebrations all round after the Ridden Irish Draught class in the Casey stables - pictured above right - MaryAnn and Jill Casey celebrate with a glass of bubbly while My Georgina looks on.
Wayne Sherry was so proud of his girlfriend and again the bubbly was out for MaryAnn and Wayne - pictured left - My Georgina seems to be wondering when it is her turn for a bit of the bubbly!
Pictured right and below- the winner of the class, Ardrattin Mandy looking superb and very pleased with herself after taking home the red rosette.
Hopefully 2007 will see an increase in numbers in this very important class at Dublin Horse Show.
Back to News Index