The big talking point at Charleville was the annual appearance at the show by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed T.D, who, in the wake of the Mercosur trade deal announcement, was interviewed at the show by George Lee. The silver lining for the 40th anniversary of the north Cork show was prime time publicity with the interview airing on Saturday’s RTÉ news.
The big talking point at Charleville was the annual appearance at the show by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed T.D, who, in the wake of the Mercosur trade deal announcement, was interviewed at the show by George Lee.
The silver lining for the 40th anniversary of the north Cork show was prime time publicity with the interview airing on Saturday’s RTÉ news.
Having it all
“At this show, you’ve got it all. It is the crossroads of Munster where you’ve got the dairy and beef industry but you’ve a huge equine part at this show,” Creed told The Irish Horse.
“Showcases like this are hugely important, obviously for individuals competing it’s a great day out and there’s a family fun element too, but it’s also a showcase for the sport horse industry.
“Hats off to the organising committee here and other similar shows around the country, they offer a fantastic service and they do it on a voluntary basis.”
When asked about increased lobbying for further funding for the sport horse industry in this year’s budget, Creed replied: “I think it’s great that people have that ambition for the sector and I only wish I had all the money necessary to meet the ambition, whether its sport horses, thoroughbreds or harness racing.”
Brexit and Budget
“They’re all competing for funding and unfortunately, in the context of the budget in October, in probably the most challenging year.
On one hand every economist worth his salt is telling us the economy is overheating and on the other hand, we face the Brexit challenge, which could require substantial exchequer funding to support exposed sectors in the UK market.”
The RTÉ Investigates special on the greyhound industry also dominated the headlines and social media last week, however there was a feel-good story at Charleville when Fionnuala Moloney Carey won a 20-strong cob class with Westend Willie.
The Croom exhibitor is involved in rehoming retired greyhounds, including some who found new homes in Sweden, Italy and Germany, as well as Ireland.
“My late day was always involved with horses and mam with dogs, at 83 years of age, she still plays a major part. We race greyhounds and once they retire we rehome them or keep them ourselves.”
To coincide with the show’s 40th anniversary, Charleville produced a special commemorative book, sponsored by Lidl, with contributions from the many characters involved with the running of this mammoth event. All proceeds go to the Milford Hospice and the book was launched by local MEP Sean Kelly, while newly-elected MEPs Frances Fitzgerald and Billy Kelleher were also spotted at the show.
Emily Marnane and Creevelea Midnight Rambler, winners of the Joe Carroll Insurance supreme pony championship at Charleville \ Susan Finnerty
Destination Dublin
Three combinations qualified at the penultimate RDS Breeders Championship penultimate qualifier, (with one more at West Clare Show this Saturday). From seven combinations, Clare Oakes and Pat Hutchinson sent forward Stephen Culliney’s Kilkeany Mystic (Ghareeb), P.J Lehane’s P.J’s Delight and Dermot O’Sullivan’s Glynwood Dawn (Je T’aime Flamenco) with foals at foot by Lord Lancer, Munther and Sligo Candy Boy.
Results
Supreme Champion Pony: Melanie Marnane’s Creevelea Midnight Rambler (Woodview Fervour).
Reserve: Imelda O’Shaughnessy’s Littlecourt Jack Sparrow.
Charleville Broodmare Championship: Kieran Fahey’s Madame Noir (Kings Master).
Reserve: P.J Lehane’s P.J’s Delight (Lux Z).
Broodmare: P.J Lehane’s P.J’s Delight.
Reserve: Kieran Fahey’s Madame Noir.
Foal: P.J Lehane’s filly by Munther.
Reserve: Stephen Culliney’s colt by Lord Lancer.
Young horse: John Tyner’s two-year-old That’s Class Joe (KEC Maximum Joe).
Reserve: John Burchill’s yearling Union Hall Elusive (Elusive Emir).
Hunter: Rosemary Connors’s Woodfield Xtra (Financial Reward).
Reserve: Lesley Webb’s Woodview Push Play (Future Trend).
Working hunter: Lesley Webb’s Cairnview Redwood Guy (Loughehoe Guy).
Reserve: Carolyn Birmingham’s Manderlay (Porsch).
Charleville Champs: Lara Field with Glandrine Pied Piper (starter stakes champion), Nicole and Imelda O’Shaughnessy with their mini and reserve supreme champion Littlecourt Jack Sparrow and Marjorie Hardiman’s Creganna Dancer, with borrowed jockey Carla Williamson, the working hunter champion for Marjorie’s daughter Lara Field \ Susan Finnerty
Back-to-back
John Tyner’s That’s Class Joe won back-to-back Charleville young horse championships, having won last year as a yearling.
Judging
Jimmy and Jane Mangan were busy judging on Sunday with Jimmy judging a top-class field of 13 in the big Charleville Broodmare Championship. “Serious quality” was his verdict.
Family double
Rosemary Connors’s Woodfield Xtra, the Charleville hunter champion, was the foal at foot when the family won the 2013 Breeders Championship final with him and his dam Woodfield Valier (Lucky Valier).
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