During presentations made at this week’s HSI Breeding Conference, due recognition was given to two heroes of Irish breeding and showing – producer Jimmy Flynn of Ennis and retiring Irish Shows Association secretary Michael Hughes of Mountbellew.

Flynn's Heather heroes

Heather Honey, Heather Blaze, Heather Drum, Diamond Heather, Heather Day and more trace back to one quiet man of Irish Sport Horse breeding – Jimmy Flynn of Ennis.

Successes like European Junior Gold for Brussels 1976, Three Irish Aga Khan wins 1977, 1978 and 1979, Junior European team silver in Britain 1983 by Heather Honey plus Irish show Jumper of the Year 1989, Millstreet Derby 1994, Pavarotti Nations Cup 1994, Spruce Meadows Canadian Air Cup 1994 and The Kings Cup 1995 by Heather Blaze all trace back to Flynn.

Speaking about Flynn Robert Splaine who rode Heather Blaze said: “He is a true horseman at heart and if he brought you a horse you knew it was a good one.”

Jimmy bought Heather Honey as an 18 month old at Limerick Mart and rode her himself to three Grand Prix wins before she went to Brian McMahon, then Paul Darragh and later Tom Duggan.

But there is more to Jimmy Flynn than Heather Honey and Heather Blaze. Out of Heather Honey he bred Heather Day by Clover Hill who won the B and C at Dublin for Finbar Keating. Billy Twomey rode him in the Junior Europeans at Millstreet. In the Dutch Europeans Noel Barry rode another that Jimmy bred Heather Drum by Coevers. And from his prolific breeding programme came Diamond Heather by Diamond Lad who won the Boomerang at Millstreet.

A man for all shows

Driver, bank worker and volunteer fireman. Michael Hughes of Mountbellew was many things but of special interest to the Irish Horse World, he was a man for all shows. He served a number of seasons as secretary of his own local show in Mountbellew, went on to be chair of the Irish Shows Association and then for the past 12 years he has been hard working national secretary of that all Ireland body.

In an interview with Irish Horse at the time of his retirement from that post he noted his joy at being able to play a part in shows where mares are bought, foals sold and young horses paraded. Along with his many duties with ISA Michael also found time to help keep HSI up to date on showing results of interest to Irish breeding.

During his time with ISA he was accessible, helpful and the smiling face of Irish showing.

His award is well deserved. We will cover all of the awards in a later issue.