Spring, summer and autumn in the ring and a winter dreaming about that the chances of that future champion next year – these are the four seasons of diehard owners, riders and back-up teams in the showing world.
Not the best of starts last January with the ‘Christmas is cancelled’ news that Clarecastle – a three-time Show of the Year titleholder – would not be going ahead in 2025 due to no suitable date. ‘Do it right or stay off the pitch’ is the mindset of chairman Michael Slattery and we’ll hope to see it back on the calendar for 2026.
Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary launched the 2025 Irish Shows Association (ISA) yearbook in March, while at Westport Show in June, his Mayo predecessor Michael Ring called on agricultural shows to reinvent themselves by widening their appeal.
The traditional show scene and calendar has changed at warp speed. Gone are the days of farmers bringing out a mare and foal or young horse to their local show, maybe venturing further afield with a good one. Or even all the way to Balmoral or Dublin.
Looking back through old show catalogues and a stack of Irish Farmers Journal clippings, I unearthed a stack of memories and photos of proud owners, most often wearing tweed caps and their best Sunday shirt and tie, holding prize youngstock or an instantly recognisable Irish Draught mare in all weathers.
Changing show scene
Such scenes are a reminder too of how the show scene has changed. Yes, widening the appeal is vital.
Showing is following its show jumping cousin’s example in the growing preference by exhibitors for shows held on all-weather surfaces or the comfort and facilities of an indoor arena.
Hoping to reverse the decline in young horse class entries, the Ireland West championship series was launched this year. Des McDonnell’s Lucky Jim – saved by local vet James McGrath after a rocky foaling – won the final at Ballinrobe in September.
Reserve was Tiernan Gill with Flogas Syb, the horse that ended the Balmoral young horse championship drought for his Ballina owner in May. Between those two months – and in the middle was Clifden’s centenary show – there is that temptation to go down rabbit holes attempting to name as many summer champions as possible.
An impossible task, more matched for our sister paper The Irish Field’s results pages.
Dedication: Soaked through, Charleville photographer William Casey heads home on Saturday, back the next day to capture more Kodak moments.
Instead it’s the Kodak moments that offer 2025’s highlights with albums featuring proud granddads on duty in lead rein classes, a sequence of photos capturing owner Sarah Carlile’s overcome expression after Altona Sly Mist Bouncer’s Balmoral win and the cheers of Pat Finn after Frenchfort Kildysart Lady won the Dublin young horse championship. There is also the All-Ireland final at Tydavnet; Paddy Reape, fresh from a team gold medal at last summer’s European show jumping junior championships amongst the spectators at Ballina Show; the de Montrichard family from Boston enjoying a picnic in the lorry’s living area on a rainy Newcastle west show day and the elegance of Leonie O’Gorman’s Dublin side-saddle winner Lackaghbeg Augustus Star, bred by Galway farmer Paddy Joyce who also bred Sunday Times, that went on to a top-10 finish at Maryland International 5* this year.
Stitched into the DNA of southeastern folk is the annual pilgrimage to Bannow & Rathangan Show, where Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy was spotted this year. Among the winners were Sharon Murphy who won the other All-Ireland three-year-old final with her Annaghmore Flo Pleasure.
Dublin yielded more vignettes such as a sighting of buyer Jill Day ‘the Max Hauri of the show world’ and vet Philip McManus taking a rare day off. Slyguff Stud’s Frances Hatton was also spotted as were Jim Mernagh and Pat Hassett, fresh from organising a tractor run that raised €7,000 for the West Clare Cancer Centre.
Nigel and Laura Tarpey sprinting to keep up with the exuberant Moylough Ambassador in the Irish Draught colt foal class at a rate of knots to match 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class was another stand-out moment.
In loving memory
We remember those we lost from the ringside including Mags Roche, Anne Gormley, Jimmy McDermott, Cork vet Michael McCarthy, David Cotter and Matthew O’Meara.
On a happier note, 2025 would also rank as the year of weddings. Those who set aside bridles for bouquets included Lisa Murphy, Laura Hyde, and Emma Donnellan, while the Glynn family had a busy summer with Melissa and Darragh marrying Colm Murray and Niamh Varley.
One simple measure of the contribution the equine industry brings to the Irish economy is the line of jeeps, horseboxes and lorries at a show or event. What can’t be measured though are the memories evoked in a show day picture, whether it’s on the wall, mantlepiece or phone.
Until we meet again this summer.
Show of the year
Clear blue water with no Clarecastle in contention and as always, some strong contenders. What edged this show ahead was its committee’s energy and enthusiasm, strong planning, attention to detail and instant results made available overnight, plus an ideal Punchestown setting. Congratulations IDHBA National Show.
Photo of the year
Where it all begins; a delightful moment between grandfather John Hickey and grandson Ned Farrell at Athlone Show.
Spring, summer and autumn in the ring and a winter dreaming about that the chances of that future champion next year – these are the four seasons of diehard owners, riders and back-up teams in the showing world.
Not the best of starts last January with the ‘Christmas is cancelled’ news that Clarecastle – a three-time Show of the Year titleholder – would not be going ahead in 2025 due to no suitable date. ‘Do it right or stay off the pitch’ is the mindset of chairman Michael Slattery and we’ll hope to see it back on the calendar for 2026.
Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary launched the 2025 Irish Shows Association (ISA) yearbook in March, while at Westport Show in June, his Mayo predecessor Michael Ring called on agricultural shows to reinvent themselves by widening their appeal.
The traditional show scene and calendar has changed at warp speed. Gone are the days of farmers bringing out a mare and foal or young horse to their local show, maybe venturing further afield with a good one. Or even all the way to Balmoral or Dublin.
Looking back through old show catalogues and a stack of Irish Farmers Journal clippings, I unearthed a stack of memories and photos of proud owners, most often wearing tweed caps and their best Sunday shirt and tie, holding prize youngstock or an instantly recognisable Irish Draught mare in all weathers.
Changing show scene
Such scenes are a reminder too of how the show scene has changed. Yes, widening the appeal is vital.
Showing is following its show jumping cousin’s example in the growing preference by exhibitors for shows held on all-weather surfaces or the comfort and facilities of an indoor arena.
Hoping to reverse the decline in young horse class entries, the Ireland West championship series was launched this year. Des McDonnell’s Lucky Jim – saved by local vet James McGrath after a rocky foaling – won the final at Ballinrobe in September.
Reserve was Tiernan Gill with Flogas Syb, the horse that ended the Balmoral young horse championship drought for his Ballina owner in May. Between those two months – and in the middle was Clifden’s centenary show – there is that temptation to go down rabbit holes attempting to name as many summer champions as possible.
An impossible task, more matched for our sister paper The Irish Field’s results pages.
Dedication: Soaked through, Charleville photographer William Casey heads home on Saturday, back the next day to capture more Kodak moments.
Instead it’s the Kodak moments that offer 2025’s highlights with albums featuring proud granddads on duty in lead rein classes, a sequence of photos capturing owner Sarah Carlile’s overcome expression after Altona Sly Mist Bouncer’s Balmoral win and the cheers of Pat Finn after Frenchfort Kildysart Lady won the Dublin young horse championship. There is also the All-Ireland final at Tydavnet; Paddy Reape, fresh from a team gold medal at last summer’s European show jumping junior championships amongst the spectators at Ballina Show; the de Montrichard family from Boston enjoying a picnic in the lorry’s living area on a rainy Newcastle west show day and the elegance of Leonie O’Gorman’s Dublin side-saddle winner Lackaghbeg Augustus Star, bred by Galway farmer Paddy Joyce who also bred Sunday Times, that went on to a top-10 finish at Maryland International 5* this year.
Stitched into the DNA of southeastern folk is the annual pilgrimage to Bannow & Rathangan Show, where Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy was spotted this year. Among the winners were Sharon Murphy who won the other All-Ireland three-year-old final with her Annaghmore Flo Pleasure.
Dublin yielded more vignettes such as a sighting of buyer Jill Day ‘the Max Hauri of the show world’ and vet Philip McManus taking a rare day off. Slyguff Stud’s Frances Hatton was also spotted as were Jim Mernagh and Pat Hassett, fresh from organising a tractor run that raised €7,000 for the West Clare Cancer Centre.
Nigel and Laura Tarpey sprinting to keep up with the exuberant Moylough Ambassador in the Irish Draught colt foal class at a rate of knots to match 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class was another stand-out moment.
In loving memory
We remember those we lost from the ringside including Mags Roche, Anne Gormley, Jimmy McDermott, Cork vet Michael McCarthy, David Cotter and Matthew O’Meara.
On a happier note, 2025 would also rank as the year of weddings. Those who set aside bridles for bouquets included Lisa Murphy, Laura Hyde, and Emma Donnellan, while the Glynn family had a busy summer with Melissa and Darragh marrying Colm Murray and Niamh Varley.
One simple measure of the contribution the equine industry brings to the Irish economy is the line of jeeps, horseboxes and lorries at a show or event. What can’t be measured though are the memories evoked in a show day picture, whether it’s on the wall, mantlepiece or phone.
Until we meet again this summer.
Show of the year
Clear blue water with no Clarecastle in contention and as always, some strong contenders. What edged this show ahead was its committee’s energy and enthusiasm, strong planning, attention to detail and instant results made available overnight, plus an ideal Punchestown setting. Congratulations IDHBA National Show.
Photo of the year
Where it all begins; a delightful moment between grandfather John Hickey and grandson Ned Farrell at Athlone Show.
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