THE lack of a suitable show date has caused the cancellation of this year’s Clarecastle Show. First held in 2016, the Co Clare fixture focused on well-sponsored young horse, broodmare and Connemara championships and IPS classes.

Clarecastle also hosted the Irish Shows Association (ISA) All-Ireland colt foal final, having secured its sponsorship from Ennis Municipal Authority.

“We are very disappointed to announce the cancellation of our show this year. The dates available - July 19th and August 31st - are, in our opinion, not suitable to our particular circumstance,” show chairman Michael Slattery said this week.

“We have created a show that is different in terms of prize money, quality and quantity of our showing classes and in our desire to benefit breeders and exhibitors of the Irish horse. We believe we will not fulfil our mission by presenting a show in late August.”

ISA national secretary Jim Harrison commented: “Last year, Clarecastle had a very successful show, running on the same day as Tullamore. This year, that same date fell on the last day of Dublin [Horse Show], which did not suit Clarecastle, so Sunday, August 10th, was ruled out.”

According to Harrison, Clarecastle were offered two available dates: Saturday, July 19th, “too early for them” and Sunday, August 31st, “which would have been a super date for the colt foal [final], but lo and behold, Clarecastle turned this date down at the 11th hour, owing to it being too late.

“I can honestly say, the ISA board and especially the two reps in Co Clare, Dan O’Connell and Michael Purtill, did all they could to get a date for Clarecastle Show, but unfortunately this was not to be. The dates in August are just too tight for any movement. Hopefully, this can be resolved in 2026.”

It is understood that the proximity to the start of the school year ruled out the late August date offered, with several Clarecastle committee members either students or involved in the teaching profession.

“However, it is not the end. All going well, we plan to present a special event in 2026 and, with the backing of our wonderful sponsors, we will place renewed focus on giving great value to the breeder of the Irish horse and much enjoyment to our many supporters,” added Slattery, who also introduced the Clarecastle awards for members of the equestrian and rural worlds.