Irish ploughmen do the double on the world stage

Eamonn Tracey from Co Carlow and Jer Coakley from Co Cork were both crowned winners at the World Ploughing Contest which took place in Tartu, Estonia last month.

Tracey completed a hat-trick, taking home the title of supreme world ploughing champion in the conventional class, while Coakley won the reversible world ploughing title.

“This year marks my sixth time to win the at the World Ploughing Championships, and this year was very special as I won three years in-a-row – 2022,2023 and now 2024,” Tracey told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“It’s fantastic to be able to travel all around the world ploughing. My first world contest was in 1998 and this year was my 15th time to be at the World Championships.

“It is a great way see the world as you are generally out in the country so you see the real people and how they live, you’re not going to a touristy area which can be heavily commercialised,” he said. Tracey added that it is a great feeling to represent your country and to be given the opportunity.

“It’s even more special when you can bring back results. I first started ploughing when I was 16, so I am 39 years at it now. I got into the ploughing as my father was a great ploughman before me. I would have loved for him to see me get the three-in-a-row as he represented Ireland around 10 times and he was runner-up on six occasions and never got to win.

Conditions

“The conditions in Estonia were more difficult than we anticipated – the practice ground we got was nice soil, but we knew the conditions would be variable and the day of the competition was some of the most difficult ground we got.

“The first day in particular was a challenging day as I hit fairly tough ground in grassland, and I didn’t start very well, but I managed to stay at it and got better as the day went on and ended up in joint fourth place after the first day.

“The second day, in the stubbles, I got into better ground and drew a better plot and done the business which led me to winning the competition,” he said.

Challenge

“At the National Ploughing Championships in Laois all eyes are going to be on me but I am looking forward to the challenge – the competition in Ratheniska won’t be any way easier than the competition in Estonia because the best plough men in the world are in Ireland,” he said.

When asked what his advice to young people starting out in ploughing competitions is, he replied “never give up on your dream.”

“I was at it for a long time before I ever started to become successful, and came home from some worlds wondering would I ever bother again, but you need to keep on going, stay focused, keep at it and most importantly enjoy it.”

Jer Coakley has featured on the world stage before, taking part in the 2012 championships when he finished ninth.

“It is a great opportunity to see a bit of the world when competing in the World Ploughing Championships.

“When you have the interest it’s nice to experience different places, meet different people and it’s an honour to represent your country and do the best you can.

“I ploughed in several European competitions and I won three titles.

“I have been ploughing since I was 14 and I got involved as my father was big into it and now myself and my brother take part – he does the conventional and I am in the reversible class,” Coakley said.

He added that to win on the world stage was great, and now he has to start all over again.

“I will have to qualify at the nationals in Laois in September so I am looking forward to that as it is an annual outing for us.

“Estonia is a lovely country and it has good land.

“However, it was variable in places and had different types of soil in the same field but luckily enough I got nice plots both days and it worked out well,” he said.

“For any young person interested in getting into ploughing competitions I would recommend them to get a good guide who will have a lot of experience behind them, and offer a lot of support and training.

“To get started you will need a few tips and a lot of practice to get going, the success won’t come overnight.

“The key is to keep working hard and stick with it.”