HELD as usual on the grounds of Limerick racecourse, and with a new anchor sponsor on board, the 92nd annual running of last weekend’s Limerick Show proved a great success.

AMCS, a locally based hi-tec company, along with the McManus Fund, were the main sponsors, allowing the executive to maintain the entrance fee at a very modest €10 and ensure a plethora of free entertainment was thrown in. It proved a great day out for all, the only down side being traffic jams at peak time on the gate. It is a the first year for AMCS to be on board and their founder and CEO Jimmy Martin was on hand to welcome Commissioner Mairead McGuinness to Limerick show.

The show was officially opened by Commissioner McGuinness who broke her holiday to attend. The MEP turned up in style in a vintage Morgan open top two-seater sports car, chauffeured by James Bateman, brother of TIHA secretary Joan Bateman.

Horses classes were well supported and judges faced a long day adjudicating on everything from champion hunter of the show for the historic Dunraven Perpetual Challenge Cup to the mounted fancy dress.

The hunter classes were sponsored by Sir Francis Brooke and the Dunraven Cup was won by Angus McDonnell’s Statesman. Aengus has been exhibiting in Limerick for decades and rarely leaves without serious silverware.

Judges were renowned racehorse trainer Edward O’Grady and Amy Kinane, wife of the inimitable Paul, who it was generally acknowledged, gave the horses a beautiful ride. During the academic term, Amy is riding instructor to the undergraduates at the University of Limerick‘s equine degree course.

The side-saddle class went to Mary Daveron O’Regan’s Castleivers Cruise. Mary is the wife of hard-working showing chairman Richard O’Regan from Athlacca. The Racehorse to Riding Class, generously sponsored by Tattersalls, went to Joanna Jones’s Dogora with Mrs Anna Kennedy’s Are We There Yet second and Miriam Byrne’s Foreflora third.

Sharing Ordinary Places Classic class at AMCS Limerick Show, Jack Burke riding Staker Wallace with David Doyle (manager Liskenett ) Derrick O’Connor, Pat Murphy and Enda Bolger \ Catherine Power

Cups and clases

Limerick is known above all for the Limerick lady and matron classes and the prestigious Limerick Lady run by TIHA secretary Joan Bateman. These classes are sponsored by Jim Bolger and judged by Glen Knipe with George Chapman and went to the smashing filly Barna View Dancing Queen exhibited by Ian Murphy. The matron class for former Limerick Lady qualifiers with foal at foot went to Derry Rothwell’s Greenhall Wishing Well. This latter class was judged by Charlotte Moore and Victoria Teuton.

Champion Young Horse of the Show for The David Fitzgerald Cup, judged by Brian Murphy and Michael Browne, went to John Mulculroy’s Lord Mitchel. TIHA Supreme Champion went to Ian Murphy’s Barnaview Dancing Queen with Derry Rothwell’s Greenhall Wishing Well taking the reserve slot (see report page 81).

Meanwhile the pony classes ranged from local family lead rein which went to India Johnson, daughter of former Limerick Hunt joint-master Lady Anna. The always well-supported fancy dress class went to Grace Liston with brother and sister team Emily and Samuel Bennett of Milltown Stud as runners-up. The Connemara pony ridden class was won by Rachel O’Doherty’s Lottera Oreo with Siun McGillycuddy’s Annie’s Pride second and Kelly Shanahan’s Twister third. This class was sponsored by Christy Doherty, CEO of AXA Insurance who also sponsored extensively in the cattle classes.

Huntsman of the Co Limerick Foxhounds, Fergus Stokes and hunt chairperson Mrs Liz Barry parading hounds at the AMCS Limerick Show \ Catherine Power

Always a popular feature is the Sharing Ordinary Places Classic with horses and helpers, supplied by Liskennet Equine Therapy Centre and supported by the McManus Foundation. Judges Enda Bolger and Dereck O’Connor spent a long but rewarding day judging and offering encouragement to all who took part.

Meanwhile in the show jumping arena, chairman/organiser Ivan McDonogh of Stonehall had an action packed program all day. Lorna Conroy took The Limerick Leader cup while the Donal Johnson memorial trophy went to Rebecca Browne of Mallow on Diamonds and Rust.

The Amateurs section, sponsored by Widdess Pharmacy, was won by Leonara Kiely on Fiddan Coil Philip. In the pony division, the Bright Butterfly cup was won by Joanne Costello on Send Him Down. Meanwhile the Mary Fitzgerald Memorial was won by Natalie Molomby on Coffee Luke Thunder. Both the above classes were sponsored by Bill Hanly MFH of Hanly Donnellan. Bill has only recently joined the mastership of the Scarteen Black and Tans.

While all this was going on, the rest of the show was a hive of activity ranging from the dog show run by Dee Cusack, best dressed lady, and perhaps the biggest cattle show outside of Tullamore.