THE Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association published their 10th Anniversary National Show schedule this week. Taking place in Punchestown, Co Kildare on September 2nd, this year’s show will be a spectacle for Irish Draught enthusiasts.

The large selection of broodmare classes includes the coveted FBD Mare of the Future title where this year’s class has been altered to be open to three, four and five-year-old mares with a foal at foot. There is over €1,000 in prize money for the foal classes this year, generously sponsored by Kepak Meats and The Farmers Journal.

Youngstock will compete in a new ring 2 location at Punchestown where the organisers hope the new layout will make it easier for spectators to view both the in-hand and the ridden classes. Young handlers are also catered for by the Dengie Horse Feeds Young Show Person class which is open to young handlers between 16 and 23 years of age and awards prize money to seventh place.

Among the ridden classes is the hugely popular Performance Irish Draught Championship. Sponsored by Irish Horse Gateway again this year, qualifiers are taking place at shows all around the country until August. This class is similar in format to the Irish Draught Performance class in the RDS. This class has a prize fund of €950 with the winning breeder and best four-year-old receiving prize money also.

This year’s highlight is anticipated to be the new HSI-sponsored side saddle class. Open to purebred Irish Draughts, it is the first time the show has held such a class which will undoubtedly showcase Irish Draughts looking their most elegant and noble. Now also affiliated to the Side Saddle Association of Ireland, members of Side Saddle Ireland will be eligible to claim double points towards the Irish Draught Award by competing in this class which offers a €1,000 prize fund.

More information on www.idhba.ie/nationalbreedshow2017