CARNEW

CARNEW takes place (Saturday, July 15th), just two days after Bannow & Rathangan and this year is a dress rehearsal for the show’s 80th anniversary in 2024.

Another well-run show with its neatly-laid out showrings, one of the most coveted cups to win at the Wicklow fixture is the Neville Lazenby Cup for the broodmare champion.

The late Neville was a renowned showman whose best-known horse was the Dublin young horse champion Sultan and this cup is presented by his family, including wife Dorothea, the first lady president of the Irish Shows Association (ISA).

Show secretary Noelle Keogh tells us that entries for the various horse, pony and livestock classes are now open. A new addition are in-hand and ridden hairy cob classes, the poultry section makes a welcome return to this year’s schedule and there’s the ever-popular dog show.

All the class details can be found on their website: www.carnewagriculturalshow.com

LOUISBURGH

Louisburgh celebrates its 15th anniversary this year since the revival of the most scenic show in the country. “Keep Croagh Patrick on the left and Clew Bay on the right” are surely the most unique directions for this Wild Atlantic Way show, near Westport, set on a field beside a Blue Flag beach.

“We are proud of our achievements,” said show chairman Tommy Bennett “Spectators and exhibitors alike keep the show alive and we appreciate their support every year.”

There’s over 50 horse and pony classes this year at a show where the USP is its Irish Draught classes. Several Louisburgh champions later followed up at Dublin and the Irish Draught mare and foal feature championship is always a highlight.

Love (Clare) Island: Jane Gibbons and Sianlee Picasso have a paddle after their class at Louisburgh, the most scenic show in the country \ Susan Finnerty

As well as the ubiquitous dog show - 20 classes on show day, Sunday July 16th - the new North County Texel Breeders Championship has been added to this year’s sheep section.

Louisburgh’s sandy terrain and Padraic Corcoran’s courses are popular with show jumpers and beachgoer spectators alike. One of the few shows to pack both water buckets and spades for, there’ll be kids entertainment too.

Louisburgh was where local T.D. and then-Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring first mentioned back in 2017 about the possibility of funding for the country’s agricultural shows.

“This financial support since was vital to sustaining the rural shows and this is a great opportunity to thank Michael Ring, Minister Humphreys and Minister McConalogue for their support,” added Tommy.

NEWCASTLE WEST

Further south, Newcastle West celebrates its 105th anniversary on the same date as Louisburgh. A local pet farm added a novel element to this year’s show launch and will be on-site again on Sunday, July 16th, along with magicians, characters in costume and a dog show.

Newcastle West’s horse section is synonymous with the Leonard family whose Ringwood horses put Newcastle West firmly on the equine map. The late Michael Leonard was considered one of the finest horsemen of his time. Together with his late wife Peig, herself an accomplished horsewoman and sister to the six-time Irish champion National Hunt jockey Martin Molony, they built an equine dynasty.

Just some of the Ringwood horses produced by the family, including the next generation of Ann, Peter and Terence, are Olympic horses Ringwood Cockatoo, Ringwood Magister and Master Crusoe, more top event horses in Ballynoe Castle RM and Ballingowan Ginger, plus HOYS supreme champion Ringwood Dunbeacon.

Another notable Limerick horseman and show regular is Johnny Fennell, who has seen many changes in the show’s history. From Rathkeale, Johnny enjoyed regular success on the show circuit in his time, breeding and producing a number of RDS prizewinners.

Newcastle West was the pioneer in running a three-year-old potential event horse class, a concept later adapted by the RDS and in fact, last year’s Newcastle West winner - John Bannon’s Orestus filly - went on to win the Dublin equivalent.

Another Ringwood Ambassador: Ringwood Magister, another Olympic horse sourced from the Newcastle West area, canters up the Badminton centre line with Tiana Coudray \ Pete Morris Photography

This year’s potential event horse class takes place on Friday, July 7th, a week before the main show and there’s two Dublin qualifying places on offer that evening.

A full range of classes from family and leadrein ponies upwards are on the schedule. Another highlight is the family pony section, driven by Ann Leonard and her sister Mary, who runs a local riding centre.

Hopes are high that local young rider Cian Dore will be back from a successful European tour to compete in this year’s show jumping classes, with previous Newcastle West competitors including Cian O’Connor and Conor Swail.