THE Eskechraggan Ernest filly foal Downhill Doris claimed the Northern Ireland Shows Association Clydesdale Championship for 2022 on a total of 25 points.

Bred in Coleraine by Lesley and Geoffrey Tanner out of the the Carnaff Perfection mare Downhill Daisy, Downhill Doris amassed those points when winning her class at Ballymena, Ballymoney, Castlerock, Omagh (where she was overall champion), Limavady, Antrim and Garvagh (where she was reserve champion).

In October, she also famously won the senior filly foal class at the World Clydesdale Show in Aberdeen where she stood ahead of her stable-companion Downhill Deliah who, too, is by Eskechraggan Ernest but out of Doris’s grandam, Garleton Betty.

Following her victory in Aberdeen, the Tanners sold Downhill Doris to Canadian couple Ian and Beth Whitcomb but she won’t be travelling over there until March. “Some of our stock are already in Canada but they were sold by others, this is the first time we have sold directly to Canadians buyers ourselves,” explained Geoffrey.

Downhill Daisy is in foal to Doura Aird Ambition.

With 20 points apiece, second place in the NISA championship was divided between Sandra Henderson’s elsewhere-mentioned home-bred yearling filly Croaghmore Maureen and the Hanna family’s Macfin Delta Dawn. Also home-bred and winner of the 2022 Ulster Bank Clydesdale championship at Balmoral Show in May, this Muirton Sabre bay is out of the Glebeview Sir Charles mare Macfin Crystal Gail.

Colin Brown’s Lagavar Nancy finished fourth on 15 points, ahead of David Patterson’s Agivey First Hope (14) and John Cross’s Castletown Clemmie (13).

LHBS Young Handler Championship 2022 winners - Champion: Finn Todd, Reserve Champion: Kristina McLernon, Bonnie Taggart and Edward Leverett with CLHBS President Fred Hanna \ Amanda Stewart Photography