LAST Sunday saw the 94th renewal of the Limerick Show staged as ever at Limerick Racecourse. The connection between the race company and show committee has proven fruitful over the years and with the show now in its second year with AMCS as anchor sponsor, it goes from strength to strength.

There were a plethora of events and exhibitions to keep the huge attendance entertained including a dog show, a display of hounds by the famed Scarteen Black and Tans and show jumping, ably run this year by David Moran following the sad loss of Ivan McDonough who ran last year’s events.

Despite a poor forecast and several shows cancelled on the day, most notably Dualla near Cashel, things looked increasingly difficult, but at about the time the first entries arrived in Greenmount so too did the sunshine and exhibitors and spectators alike basked in the late summer sunshine for the rest of the day.

For many, the high point of the show was Liskennett Riding Centre who do such marvellous work for riders with disabilities. The show committee are privileged to be able to entertain these riders for the day and, with Enda Bolger and many others helpers, they enjoyed a terrific and memorable event.

A new innovation at this year’s show was a careers’ village with most of Limerick’s hi-tech companies actively recruiting for new staff.

Champion hunter

The Dunraven Cup for the champion hunter of the show was won by Aidan Ryan’s West Coast with the reserve going to Shane McKenna’s Kamilla. The trophy was presented by the great grandson of the show’s founder, Sir Francis Brooke of Royal Ascot, whose family sponsor the hunter classes.

The Racehorse to Riding Horse class, sponsored by Tattersalls and, like all the ridden classes very ably judged by Paul and Amy Kinane, was won by Tessa Foreman’s Aloneamongmillons. The Kinanes worked hard all day sharing the riding duties and were ably assisted by ring steward Bill Hanly MFH (Scarteen).

The side saddle class was won by Mary Davoren-O’Regan’s Castle Ivors Cruise, while the working hunter championship for the President’s Cup was won by Ann O’Grady’s Ballygown Notorious.

Meanwhile, the TIHA class for the Limerick Matron, sponsored by Jim Bolger, was won by regular Limerick exhibitor Margaret Jeffers with the broodmare Ballykelly Jasmine with John Roche’s Assargart Fairytale second and Roche’s Assagart Mistress in third.

Shirley Hurst from Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh with the winner of the Limerick Lady All Ireland two-year-old final held at Limerick Show. Pictured with winning owner Donnie McGale, judges Charlotte Moore and Victoria Teuton and Joan Bateman \ Dave Gaynor

Limerick Lady

The Limerick Lady class, the blue riband of the show, judged by Charlotte Moore and Victoria Teuton with the TIHA’s Joan Bateman as chief steward, was won by Donnie McGale’s smashing Parkroe Milly, a two-year-old gelding by Glen Moss and shown by Shirley Hurst. McGale, from Omagh in Co Tyrone, has indicated the filly is now on the market. Grainne Davoren’s Gods Little Lioness was second.

The working hunter champion for the President’s Cup was Ann O’Grady’s Ballingowan Notorius while the champion working hunter pony was Zak Blake’s Daredevil with the reserve going to Olive Murphy’s West Coast Larry.

Cara Foley of Islanmore Stud, taking part in the Working Hunter Pony class at Limerick Show on her pony Cody \ Catherine Power

The working hunter starter stakes went to Sue Ann Foley’s Camtria Bucks Fizz ridden by her daughter Cara, with Margaret Doolan’s Blueberet Peacekeeper second. It is young Cara’s first season in the show ring and there to support her was a very proud grandfather, J.P. McManus.

Historic

The historic Daresbury Cup was won by Rachel O’Doherty’s Connemara Lottera Oreo, ridden by her daughter Helena, with the reserve going to Sophie Cusack’s Dunguaina Mick. The mini working hunter championship was won by Ethan Murphy riding Mist.

Overall, it was a very successful show and the hard work put in by the committee shone through brightly. They are fortunate to have such an ideal venue and long may the show continue to run in Greenmount.