MADAM,

MY Saturday breakfast ritual always includes my copy of The Irish Field and the section I read first is Irish Horse World, so you can imagine my surprise to read in the last lines of Isabel Hurley’s editorial of her retirement as Editor of the paper to follow her ambitions within the veterinary profession.

It is typical of this lady’s continued support for our industry over 15 years and her personal modesty to see that everyone’s success is covered over the 40 pages of the paper - only to drop the bomb of her retirement in the last few lines of her editorial.

People who read the paper every Saturday morning will greatly miss her contribution to our industry and thank her for her dedication and professionalism over these years.

The announcement did not hit me hard until I read Leo Powell’s excellent editorial, which parted from the usual coverage of several issues to solely pay tribute to this outstanding lady

I have noticed over the years that Judith Faherty was being more and more promiment every week, now I know why; she was under the guidance of Isabel Hurley so that the transition would run smoothly from one generation to the next.

Judith has big shoes to fill but I know that with the guidance she got from Isabel together with her own experience she will maintain the excellence of the paper over the coming years and I wish her every success.

Isabel, I wish you the very best of luck in your new venture and thank you for all you have done for our industry.

Yours etc,

Keith M. Grifin,

Barogstown,

Maynooth

Co Kildare

Consummate professional

MADAM,

LAST week’s bumper issue of The Irish Field covering the recent RDS Dublin Horse Show was a huge success and a great read. However it was not all a good news story as the issue contained the sad news that Isabel Hurley has announced her retirement as editor of the Irish Horse World section in The Irish Field.

As a journalist she is the consummate professional never missing a detail or a story and under her editorship Irish Horse World has gone from strength to strength. But more importantly since she assumed the editorship, Catherine and I are privileged to look on her not just as our editor but also a true friend.

We can but wish her well in her new endeavors and I’m sure she will make an outstanding veterinary surgeon in whatever branch of the profession she chooses.

The paper goes on and a very fine replacement is already in office in Judith Faherty and I’m sure all readers will join us in wishing her a successful editorship.

Yours etc,

Dickie and Catherine Power

Limerick

Show week success a credit to committee

MADAM,

ON behalf of the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies (ICCPS) attending the Annual Connemara Pony Show in Clifden last week, through your pages I would like to congratulate the CPBS and its Show Committee, under the leadership of Mr Pat Geoghegan, on the running of a very successful show in the society’s 100th year.

Our international visitors from the world over were made truly welcome throughout the four-day show.

A special tour arranged by CPBS International Chair Mr Andy O’Donoghue to view stallions on the beaches of south Connemara, a visit to the home of founder Michael O’Malley, the reception held by the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel to welcome everyone, an evening with Alison Corbally of the Irish Horse Board and author Tom MacLochlainn made for a memorable week, in addition to the very important element of competition and parades of past champions over the four days.

We were also delighted to hold the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies (ICCPS) Annual General Meeting in the home town of the pony with delegates and breeders from the world over in attendance.

Thank you to the officials and stewards of the CPBS Show Committee, the office staff and all volunteers, you went the extra mile to put on an outstanding show and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and visit breeders throughout the region.

Our daughter societies were privileged to have representatives invited to judge in the show rings alongside their Irish counterparts.

It was all a very special occasion for a very auspicious year. Thank you.

Yours etc,

Phyllis Jones

Chair ICCPS