As we celebrate 75 years of the Irish Farmers Journal, here at the Irish Horse we have the late Quentin Doran O’Reilly to thank for our particular four-legged obsession gracing its pages. Quentin introduced equine coverage in the 1980s.
Initially production editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Quentin’s love of the horse ignited the very creation of the Irish Horse, which remains a vital source of sport, sales, horse farm life and equine innovations for the thousands of people who love the horse like we do.
I could think of no better people than current show reporter, Susan Finnerty, and former Irish Horse reporter, Michael Slavin, to share their recollections.
It was the new millennium and Irish show jumping needed new heroes. We got one in talented 27-year-old Dermott Lennon from Co Down at the 2002 World Show Jumping Championships in Jerez, Spain. I was privileged to be there reporting, live to Jimmy Magee, on RTÉ’s Sunday Sport.
Down nine decades, I have witnessed the exploits of our Irish show jumpers from the Irish Army squads of the 1930s to the ‘Dream Team’ of the 1970s and beyond.
But this moment was special: here was a farmer’s son who jumped regularly on our local circuit competing against a total of 97 riders from 25 countries on an Irish-bred mare, Liscalgot, by Irish stallion Touchdown.
Bred by James Harvey in Armagh, Liscalgot was kept from being sold abroad only through the determined efforts of a consortium of Irish breeders who kept her at home for Dermott to ride. This was the wonderful moment they dreamed of.
Qualified
Tommy Wade’s selected squad of Dermott, Kevin Babingon, Cian O’Connor and Peter Charles placed seventh in the Team Championship. But with some superb rounds in the gruelling three qualifiers, Lennon battled his way into the four rider horse-swapping Individual Final against 1990 Champion Eric Navet of France, Swedish star Helena Lundback and Peter Wylde of the USA.
At the pre-Championship press conference, each of the four finalists were asked their opinion of the swap horses. The other three gave some lengthy judgements but always laconic, Dermott simply replied, “Sure I have ridden worse.” It all came down to Dermott’s last-to-go round on the Swedish mare Mynta, who had already racked up 12 faults with the other three riders.
He was on zero score with two fences in hand. He knocked just the third last but still romped home winner.
In my excitement back then I included this little song in my final report to Jimmy Magee:
From Banbridge Town in the County Down,
Dermott came down to Jerez,
With Liscalgot he won the gold,
He’s the star of the county Down!
Jimmy just said with a roll of his eyes, “Stick to the writing, Michael.”
For decades, the Irish Horse pages have been many readers’ first port of call on a Thursday to find out who’d won what, either worldwide or around the country. Who had the next big sales topper?
What’s the latest equestrian news story? Even in this instant social media age, there’s the enduring cachet of a ‘photo in the paper’. As one cajoling foal owner said to me about his prizewinner: “He’ll be worth a thousand more if his picture is in the Journal.”
Those champions, those characters, all those people and horses that make a show report, they have all been part and parcel of my summers spent from Balmoral to Barryroe. So often spent in the delightful company of ISA all-rounder supremo Michael Hughes, as we set off from Galway, ‘Batman and Robin’ style, to shows.
A duty that began when Michael Slavin handed over the show reporter baton with the words: “My job is now your job.” No pressure! We were both blessed to work with the late Quentin Doran O’Reilly, a gentleman with a rare combination of old-school values with 21st-century editorial vision and a succession of excellent editors since.
Proud moments
My all-time favourite moments? Anytime a stalwart was honoured by a presentation. Do we honour them enough? Clarecastle Agricultural Show knocked it out of the park this summer.
The sight of Dromelihy Imp and Leader Star, a pair I can’t split as my most memorable champion. Poignant moments. Killaneen Boy and the late Colm Costello stepping it out at Mohill Show.
Coupled too with proud moments, such as returned-emigrant Robbie Fallon parading his champion Cashel Bay Kate through Clifden’s streets and most of all, the beaming smile of Frances Hatton when Gibeon won the Croker Cup.
The Hattons, like many readers, are the Irish and Farmers of the Journal: a story, a record, a history. Told every Thursday.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: