FOR a show that very nearly didn’t happen after losing its former home when the local Clarecastle GAA grounds were redeveloped, Clarecastle triumphed again last Saturday.

“The show this year was a real challenge in so many ways. The committee went from despair in January, when we were literally within hours of advising the ISA of our intention to withdraw from this year’s show calendar, to elation when our new hosts the O’Gorman family so generously made their homestead available,” explains Shane Slattery.

This new site, with its original Clare Castle backdrop and a riverbank lined with the local ‘Magpie’ colours flags last Saturday, faced the wettest July on record but there is something about the Banner County resilience, not to mention the genius that is its show chairman Michael Slattery, that brought it off.

“A mini Dublin”, “Better than Dublin” and ‘Show of the year so far” were just some of the comments on the day.

Showing is many things to people: an obsession, a Sunday outing, an enjoyable hobby but without the backstage team, these shows don’t happen. Another stroke of genius by Clarecastle is to present awards as part of its opening ceremony to the show and horse world stalwarts.

Young Roisin Dobson was busy competing in a working hunter pony class but later picked up a framed photo montage of the new Shannon Connemara pony championship launch in the castle grounds in May when she and her Newtown Figaro were the special guests.

The Queen of Slyguff: Show chairman Michael Slattery with 92-years young Frances Hatton with her Clarecastle Medal at Clarecastle Show \ Susan Finnerty

Robbie Fallon, called away from stewarding in the Shannon Ring, was similarly surprised by a similar gift to mark his dream Clifden supreme win last year with Cashelbay Kate.

The late Ivan McDonagh, of Stonehall Harriers and course building renown, passed away last August and his daughter Lisa received his posthumous ‘Clarecastle Medal’ on behalf of the family.

Dorothea Lazenby, the Irish Shows Association (ISA) first lady president and Slyguff Stud’s Frances Hatton likewise received one of the Mike Kemmy-crafted silver medals, a personalised scroll and photo.

For the McDonagh family, it was a photo of Ivan on course building duty at Clarecastle; Dorothea, surrounded by her family, presenting her late husband Neville’s memorial trophy at their local show in Carnew to good friend Derry Rothwell; and Frances Hatton was pictured in the Slyguff kitchen: ‘good cups’ in the press, a hunting print on the wall, an IHB award to Loftus O’Neill in the background, holding a much-loved terrier.

One important date escaped the combined Clarecastle brainpower last year; ISA legend Michael Hughes’ birthday the following day. Not this year as Michael, who will celebrate his 80th birthday on August 8th, was surprised with a giant cake and chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’.

Michael Slattery had one condition for accepting the Show of the Year award, as selected in sister paper The Farmers Journal Irish Horse section for last year’s ‘Showing Redesigned’ event. That it would only be accepted last Saturday on behalf of the team, not an individual, basis. And what a team, with the mother-daughter secretarial combination of Nichola and Megan Shannon, plus the entire Slattery clan, including daughters Maeve and Sinead who had flown in from California and New York to help out.

Well-deserved, however that award also led into another unexpected opportunity to give the modest man himself one of his own creations: an identical Clarecastle Medal presented by his grandson Dylan while a perfect tribute, penned by Michael Slavin, was read out.

Lots of laughter, some emotional moments, two stunned Michaels and a cake fit to feed Clarecastle village. The Clarecastle awards may take 60 minutes from a show day’s schedule and 600 words from the report wordcount. So be it.

There’s always another show next weekend, another report but it is only right to honour those who unselfishly gave and give years to the Irish horse world.

Clifden Relived: Robbie Fallon with a memento of his longed-for Clifden supreme championship win last August at Clarecastle Show \ Susan Finnerty

What they said

“I got a very warm greeting from the gentleman at the gate who offered to swap his amazing hat for my bowler. I then met this charming man who greeted me ‘as Gaeilge’, it was Michael Slattery who I hadn’t previously known.” - George O’Malley, bowlered over by Clarecastle

“I think Michael Slattery deserves another medal! He just has that finesse and great vision because he gets something into his head and makes it happen. A great judge of character, when Michael asks you to do something, he knows you’re able to do it right because doing it right is the only way with him. The one improvement for next year is he could book a dry day!” - Matthew O’Meara, one of the impressed exhibitors

“I gained a friend with an insight into horses like I’ve never known in Philip Heenan and he had a profound effect on the Irish sport horse.” - Eyleen Nugent

“It’s a great credit to chairman Michael Slattery to attract such a high-quality entry of show mares. It was an amazing feeling to see a mare that we bred be judged as the champion over mares from the four corners of the country. It was a mixture of shock, excitement, and pure joy when Darwin was announced as the 2023 Banner broodmare champion especially for it to happen at a local show.” - Sheelagh Barry

“We were very, very lucky to have to have met Bruno [Viva’s Star] and to have the the honour of owning him because it truly doesn’t happen every day to come across such a calibre of horse.” - Jason Dunphy

“Despite the threat of rain and soft ground, we decided to go ahead with our show. It was a wise decision. The number of entries was exceptional, and the quality in the horse classes outstanding. Viewing the big field from the gate through the nine rings, filled to capacity with the cream of Irish horses and ponies, was a wonderful sight... My sincere thanks to all involved and who supported this venture, particularly our wonderful sponsors. While the patrons and spectators enjoyed our presentation the real beneficiaries are the breeders and producers who participated in today’s show.” - Michael Slattery

“The time has come to turn the tables on him and have him be the recipient of an award from his many admirers for his vast contribution to our community, to human welfare and to the world of voluntary and creative effort on behalf of rural events, both national and local. Clarecastle Show is but one example of his dedicated approach to the Irish showing world.” - Michael Slavin’s tribute to the show chairman

“With a new venue comes many unknowns but with the amazing support of the local Clarecastle community, our loyal sponsors, all of the national bodies such as the ISA, TIHA, CPBS, IDHBA, HSI and the unwavering participation of our wonderfully numerous exhibitors we were able to create a day that we hope was enjoyed by one and all.

“Personally, I am proud to be a part of an organisation whose members give of their time, sweat and tears as they strive every year towards that goal of unattainable perfection in an effort to give back to their community and shine a light on all things horse, hound and horticulture.” - Shane Slattery

“Wonderful show, I can see why there was so much buzz about Clarecastle.” - Conor Sheridan, HSI