Castlewellan Show Preview
As the countdown nears zero, competitors are completing their final preparations ahead of saturday’s showing, working hunter and show jumping classes at Castlewellan Show.
One well known breeder, owner and producer is Desmond Gibson of Dromara who had perhaps the most successful day of all competitors at last years Castlewellan show. His broodmare Ballycapple Blackbird (Sire Ghareeb and dam Ballycapple Clover) won the following classes during Castlewellan 2013:
Brood Mare (Light Weight) to produce High Class Hunter. Due to foal in 2013 or with foal at foot.
The Castlewellan McSherry Perpetual Trophy Championship
TS Foods £150 Brood Mare Premium Class
Championship Sponsored by: MURDOCK SADDLERY, Drumbo
Half Bred Breeders Championship
The Irish Shows Association and West Cork Horse Breeders All Ireland Breeders Championship
On the same day, her foal at foot sired by Emperor Augustus won Class 24a – Non-Thoroughbred Colt Foal. (Progeny of mares in Class 24).
This year Dessie has two horses in search for a star young horse championship
A two year old by golden master. Lurgan show was first time in the ring and he made his mark winning his class and claiming reserve champion. Castlewellan will be his second time in show ring and we can’t wait to see how he does.
Dessie also plans to bring his three year old who was reserve champion at Balmoral earlier this year and second last week at Bannow and Rathangan three year old all Ireland Championship. Glountane Premier was champ young horse at castlewellan last year.
Dessie commented that he was looking forward to Castlewellan as it is an ideal show with regards to setting and timing to prepare his two year old before Dublin.
Lillian Graham won the minature horse championship with Ballygowan Sweetheart in 2012 and 2013 and has entered once again for the 2014 show this Saturday.
Kellee Graham, Lillian’s daughter bought Ballygowan Sweetheart in 2011 and began her showing career in 2012 as a 2 year old. Since then, she has been unbeaten and they are very grateful to have enjoyed such positive seasons with the mare.
Ballygowan Sweetheart is sired by a stallion owned by Lillian until a short while ago when he passed away. The stallion Shadow Clay Epsom Downs was bought from England to further the breed and the dam Ennis Modena has also enjoyed a prolific career herself qualifying for HOYS as a yearling and 2 year old.
Accompanying Ballygowan Sweetheart for the day will be her half brother who is by an American stallion Golden Oak Moonlit Reflection. Both minature horses are registered with British Minature Society .
The Graham family are looking forward to this years show where they hope to see this discipline develop further to enjoy a wider range of minatures taking part, as in previous years, Falabella and American breeding have also joined the scene.
From over 15 years, Castlewellan show have been leading the way with minature classes nurturing this showing discipline and giving local producers a top class show to prepare for on their doorstep.
The events team at Equestrian News NI are looking forward to the show on Saturday and we hope to have lots of results and photographs online throughout the day to keep everyone up to date.
Category: News, Showing, Uncategorized
