ONE of The Irish Field’s most senior readers celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday evening. Bob Hare was born in Greystones, Co Wicklow in 1922. He travelled extensively with his job in the 1940s and 50s before settling back in Dublin with his wife and two young children.

When he was widowed in his late 60s, he became involved with horses, especially the Irish Draught. He enjoyed going to sales around the country and bought an in foal Irish Draught mare in foal, Dawn. With the help of Laura Snow of Drynam Riding Stables, Bob travelled to shows all over the country every weekend with Dawn, whose greatest achievement was being National Irish Draught Champion in 2009. Her foal, Mannix, also competed around the country and was eventually sold to England.

Bob continued to go to the sales and had a good eye for a horse. Roxy was bought at the Cavan sales and turned out to be a very lucky mare. She competed at the RDS and went on to win many classes; she also bred a beautiful stallion. Bob continues to support the Irish Draught and has sponsored the perpetual cup at Drynam Summer Show for the last number of years.

Happy birthday, Bob.