IRISH horses excelled at last weekend’s Mars Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in the USA. Ballaghmor Class’ (ISH) victory in the CCI5*-L was in addition to ISH success in the four and five-year-old championships, as well as in the three-star, where seven Irish horses finished in the top-16 and, amazingly, 40% of those came from Richard Sheane’s Cooley Farm.

The Irish Horse Board had a strong presence throughout the show, with the trade stand acting as a networking hub for American buyers and Irish breeders and producers, who did not waste this opportunity to make new contacts and meet potential future customers through the help of the Irish Horse Board.

The trade stand was a constant hive of activity and an ideal location for supporting sales and encouraging future exports, while liaising and arranging trips for future customers and co-ordinating with Irish sales events.

US-based Jackson Dillard said: “The Irish Horse Board are providing an excellent service, setting the standards for all international equestrian marketing agents. This week, I have seen sales and opportunities being created through the promotional work of the Irish Horse Board. I look forward to coming to Ireland next year to source potential event horses and keeping in contact with the Irish Horse Board team.”

There to watch Ballaghmor Class win his fourth five-star, IHB Director General, Alison Corbally, said: “Ballaghmor Class is in a class of his own. To win four five-star events from 2017 to 2024 is an incredible achievement and spectacularly demonstrates the talent and longevity of Irish horses at the highest level of international eventing.”

See page 83 for the full report on Maryland.