The number of Irish Draughts competing the Horse Sport Ireland sponsored class was up on the previous year at the Association of Irish Riding Clubs Festival at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co. Westmeath on Sunday 9th June last.

16 Irish Draughts were entered in the Horse Sport Ireland showing class where Stine Anderson’s Ballycoolan Yeats, a four-year-old grey gelding, claimed the honours after impressing the judges Mary Ann Casey and Louise Duffy. Harmon Yeats ridden by Muireann O’Toole was given the nod for reserve champion.

Ballycoolan Yeats, who was bred by Vivienne Bradley, was also named as reserve in The Eddie Fowler Championship for the best of breeds while also won the Four Year Olds class.

Meanwhile in the performance class, Phillistown GVP, improved on its fifth placing last year after catching Gordon Bryans attention to win the class ahead. The 11 year old grey gelding, who was bred by Clodagh Mitchell, was ridden by Hollybrook’s Claire Fannin.

Elsewhere, Leonie Irwin was rewarded with a special Horse Sport Ireland award for her eight-year-old Irish Draught, Edenagor Kate.

The Marie Mc Groarty bred chestnut mare claimed the award after the Border Counties rider achieved an impressive 83.61% in their dressage competition, the highest percentage of any Irish Draught in the individual dressage competitions at the show.