We had an incredible learning weekend September 10-11 when Irish Inspectors John McCarthy of County Cork, and Michael Kirwan, County Kilkenny came to Iowa.  The primary purpose of the weekend was to inspect purebred and part bred Irish Draught stock for entry into the studbooks.   We added to that the first ever Central Region Irish Draught Horse Show and a time just for learning from these men of vast Irish Draught experience.  Here's how things went.

First thing in the morning the inspections began. The 11 horses inspected included Fox Hollow's purebred filly Shuttlewood Rose by Silver Granite ex Diamond Shuttle who is now an approved RID Mare. Five Mountain Pearl sport horses passed inspection as well. It was a grand group of horses and the inspectors had very nice things to say about all of them. Congratulations to all!

    Riveting Mountain Glory, owned by Shannon Strank
    Padi's Celtic Rose, owned by Mary Jo Welsh and Frans Insinger
    Padi's Celtic Measure, owned by Laurie Zimmerman
    Padi's Copper Flash, owned by Carol Strank
    Mountain Piper, owned by Barbara Laughlin  

Saturday afternoon was the show.  It began with a stallion presentation by Lynn Cronin who did us a huge favor and drove from Michigan to ride him for us.  From the look on her face she had a very good time, and it was just the right kickoff for the show. When all was said and done Fox Hollow and the Pearls had taken the day:
    
    Champion Irish Draught                 Shuttlewood Rose, owned by Fox Hollow
    Reserve Irish Draught Champion     Heathercombe Cousin Rachel, owned by Fox Hollow

    Champion ID Sport Horse              Mountain Piper, owned by Barbara Laughlin
    Reserve ID Sport Horse Champion  Riveting Mountain Glory, owned by Shannon Strank

Sunday morning we set aside for a low stress learning time with the inspectors.  It's hard to believe anything could top Saturday's activities, but Sunday did.  They are incredibly knowledgeable about Irish Draughts and horses in general with many decades of experience.  And they were so willing to share it with us.  We brought in three horses at a time and broke up the spectators into small "judging groups".  Each group examined the horses and watched them move before placing them as they saw fit.  We then discussed why we placed them as we did, followed by the inspectors telling us how THEY placed the horses and why.  We covered every little piece of conformation and dozens of questions people had.  After repeating this process several times we looked at three foals about 4 months old.  Here the inspectors showed us what to look for in a growing foal, telling us what might change as it grows and what likely would not.  This had to be the most extensive conformation education most of us had ever had.

Afterward the John and Michael were off to the airport to continue their tour in Wyoming and we all packed up our exhausted minds, bodies, and horses and headed home.  I hope to have pictures soon.  I was so busy with organizational things that there was little time for picture taking.

Pat 

Fox Hollow Sport Horses  call  Diane 319-848-4280 or Pat 319-294-4343 or contact us via e-mail 

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Last modified: 08/05/2008