Legendary Irish ploughing champion, Eamon Tracey, claimed second place in the world conventional ploughing competition over the weekend. The Carlow man went to defend his title after winning in Denmark last year, however he was beaten by English competitor David Chappell.Meanwhile Wexford man John Whelan won third place in the reversible category. Beat Sprenger from Switzerland claimed first place while Scotsman Andrew B Mitchell was second.
Legendary Irish ploughing champion, Eamon Tracey, claimed second place in the world conventional ploughing competition over the weekend. The Carlow man went to defend his title after winning in Denmark last year, however he was beaten by English competitor David Chappell.
Meanwhile Wexford man John Whelan won third place in the reversible category. Beat Sprenger from Switzerland claimed first place while Scotsman Andrew B Mitchell was second.
"This is a fantastic win for both men and Irish Ploughing as a whole," said Anna May McHugh, managing direcetor of the National Ploughing Association. "Since winning the Nationals last year to qualify to compete in the World Ploughing Contest, the men have been working extremely hard preparing and now all their efforts have paid off. They have made their country extremely proud, congratulations and a very well done to them both and all of their families."
The 63rd World Ploughing Contest and first ever World Vintage Ploughing Championships took place in the South of York England. National champions from 31 countries competed against each other over the weekend. There were teams from Kenya, Russia, Macedonia, Switzerland and many more European countries.
Tracey has represented Ireland on an international level 11 times, and Whelan has competed eight times in the World Ploughing Contest. Both men have been previous World Champion Ploughing winners in their respective classes. The Irish team, sponsored by Kverneland, were coached by Declan Buttle from Wexford and joined by Judge Brian Mahon from Offaly.
Next year, the World Ploughing Championships will be held in Kenya.
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