Robert (Bob) Hare passes

IT was with great sadness that the equestrian world learned of the passing of Robert (Bob) Hare, who died peacefully at CareChoice Nursing Home, Swords on November 27th, 2023. Bob was from Kinsealy, Swords and formerly of Abbeyfield, Killester.

Bob will be remembered by many for having a winner at Dubin Horse Show last year, at the age of 100. He jointly bred and owned Irish Draught stallion Drynam Hero, who is by Gortfree Hero, with Laura Snow of Drynam Stables, who rode the horse to win the APCOA older performance Irish Draught class with the then six-year-old. Bob was at the RDS and was delighted to see the horse win.

Bob was predeceased by his wife Ethel (Girlie). He will be sadly missed by his daughter Siobhán, son Barry, son-in-law Ian, daughter-in-law Sally, grandchildren Malcolm, Ross, Duncan, Andrew, Louise and Susan, his sister Glad and sister-in-law Rita, nephews, nieces, extended family and his many friends in the dog and horse world.

His funeral was held on Friday (December 1st).

Irish horses on form abroad

IRISH-bred horses continued to make their mark in international show jumping classes last weekend.

At Riyadh International in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Maxwin Kinmar Agalux (ISH), an 11-year-old mare by Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS) out of Kinmar Lux Good (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN), bred by Gerrard Marron in Co Monaghan, came third in a three-star 1.45m class, ridden by Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj. Meanwhile, in a 1.30m class, Lalla Aicha (was GRC Flicka) (ISH), an 11-year-old mare by Alligator Fontaine (SF) out of Loughnavatta Heather (ISH) by Clover Brigade (ISH)[TIH], bred by Rory Costigan placed fourth. The mare is owned and ridden by Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Alsheik (KSA)

Aside from the Irish riders who performed well at Sentower Park in Opglabbeek, Belgium, Irish-bred horse Kinmar Scarlett placed 10th in a two-star 1.45m class ridden by Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger, while Knockrath Whos Who (ISH), a 13-year-old mare by Porsch (BWP) out of Knockrath Sneeze (ISH) by Cyrano (HOLST), bred by Norman Allen and ridden by Norway’s Oeydis Standeren Pedersen, came sixth in the one-star 1.30m Grand Prix.

In Ornago, Italy, Veracruz de Reve (ISH) a 14-year-old mare by Hermes de Reve (SF) out of Colonel Lough (WNTR) by Colonel Godfrey (TB), bred by Denise Prendergast, came ninth in a one-star 1.25m Grand Prix. This mare is owned and ridden by France’s Julie Fayon.

McGregor will be missed

INTERNATIONAL show jumper Jack Ryan has said goodbye to his ‘horse of a lifetime’, BBS McGregor in what he described as a ‘bittersweet’ sale.

“McGregor was a very special horse to my family, we bred and him and produced him the whole way to five star level,” he told The Irish Field. “We had many fantastic days with him, many of which my family was there so it was a great feeling. I would like to wish his new owners the very best of luck with him.”

The pair have enjoyed many wins together from 2017 until earlier this year and in the past two years were chosen to represent Ireland in a number of Nations Cup teams including Barcelona 2022 when the team was second.