National Council Meeting Held on Sunday 3rd November, 2002 held in Killeshin Hotel, Portlaois, Co. Laois.

1. Meeting with Horse Board on 29 July 2002

• The Board agreed to part fund the following activities: the Secretariat, the awards night and the National Show.
• The Inspection panel for the R.I.D. Inspection - up to now on the panel of three, one was a veterinary surgeon. The arrangement cannot continue indefinitely. This year the Horse Board supplied a vet for one of the panels. The general opinion of the meeting was that it was important to have veterinary surgeon on the panel. The idea of having a pre vet inspection was discussed but the general opinion is that this does not work in practice.
• The definition of what an Appendix Mare was discussed. The stud book in UK and USA have their own ideas. One definite rule an appendix mare can not have warm blood connections.

2. It was agreed to increase the remuneration of Helen Kelly, the National Secretariat.

3. The Position of our Daughter Societies

• Some of our daughter societies in other countries have different rules for registration of mares.
• A mare passed anywhere in the world can enter our stud book.
• We have DNA testing - this is not so in other societies.
• Dan Butler has a problem with a stallion passed by the Society, when trying to get him registered in Germany.

4. The International Meeting held in Dublin on August 7th.

• The governing body of the IDHS authorise inspections world-wide and as such we must have an input into all daughter society's stud books.
• Seven societies with seven sets of rules.
• The possibility of having a registration fee for daughter societies.
• There is a pressing need to define what we mean by an appendix mare.

5. Report from Breeding Committee

1. The need to have our Articles of Association tightened up.
2. A sub-committee to be established to look after international affairs.
3. The idea of introducing two new class in the National Show:
1. For the best young horse handler.
2. A special class for small mares under 16 hands.
   
4. Judges
   
   There is a need to have more judges for ridden classes. The young judges on circuit this year - breeding committee are waiting for report from senior judges.
   
   The formation of a new panel of young judges will be examined by the committee.
   
   Branches were asked to consider holding an information evening on horse conformation, a number of Irish Draught stock to be judged by an established judge, reasons for selections explained to audience. Laois Branch have been running such an event for a number of years.

6. Irish Draught Website

It was agreed to give Joan Griffith payment to cover costs for updating the website. Members are reminded they can place an advert for Euro 20 for 3 months exposure, in Horse for Sale pages, contact Sharyn Alexander or Helen Kelly.

7. R.I.D. Mare Inspections 2002

111 Mares were passed
56 Mares failed
5 Mares were deferred
16 A.I.D. Mares passed

Main reasons for failure: Lack bone and "back of the knee".

8. National Dressage Championships

Registered Irish Draught Horses have been competing successfully in Dressage Arenas in the UK and USA and limited number here in Ireland. This year the recipient of the Irish Draught Horse Society trophy at the National Championships was Come T. R.I.D. stallion by Carrabawn View out of Orla. Rider Alison Mastin, owner Nicholas Branniff, 19 Lough Keeland Road, Downpatrick.

SHOW RESULTS 2002

i) Royal Dublin Society Horse Show

R.I.D. Stallion Class

• 1^st Star Kingdom out of Ireland's Diamond by Annagdown Star standing with Timothy Carey, Tullaghansleek Stud, Castletowngeoghan, Co. Westmeath.
• 2^nd Supreme Ginger out of Ann Diamond by Ginger Dick standing with Edwin McLoughlin, Corlogharoo, Newbliss, Co. Monoghan.
  

R.I.D. Mare Class

• 1^st Nancy Steel out of White Church Sal (AID) by Holycross. Owner Suzanne Finlay, Augher Castle, Co. Tyrone.
• 2^nd Enniskeane Flash out of Enniskean Primrose R.I.D. by Mountain Pearl. Owner John Cotter, Farranmareen, Enniskeane, Co. Cork.

ii) The Euro2000 Leitrim Irish Draught Breeders Championship held at Mohill Show on August 27th last. This particular class was sponsored by Plantxy Maguire Pub and Restaurant, Hohill.

• In all 13 mares were in the ring judged by two very well known judges, Mr. Brian Wall, M.R.C.V.S. Cavan/Monaghan Branch and Mr. Timothy Sullivan, Laois Branch.
• The winner of this class was an 8 year old mare, Huntingfield Hat Trick, out of Pride of Down by Huntingfield Rebel. This mare qualified from Clogher Valley show in Co. Tyrone, foal at foot by Star Kingdom and is in foal to Mount Diamond Flag. Owner: V. Coulter, Castlederg, Co. Tyrone.
• Great credit is due to the Leitrim Branch in the manner in which they organised this very prestigious class.

iii) Irish Draught Horse Society National Show held at Ennis Showgrounds on August 3rd, 2002.

• 1) The Euro2000 strongid Irish Draught mare of the future sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health:
• 1^st Gurraun My Way by Grovenor Lad out of Pride of Toames. Owner and breeder - Chantal Deon, The Rectory, Tynagh, Loughrea, Co. Galway.
• 2^nd Killoutain Rudy by Cranagh Hero out of Killountain Diamond. Owner and Breeder 0 Denis Dullea, Killoutain, Bandon, Co. Cork.
• 2) The Euro3000 Bank of Ireland sponsored R.I.D. Championship Final
• 1^st Mill Hollow Queen by Annaghdown Star out of Tempting Touch. Breeder - Moira McKenna, Owner - Elizabeth Deane, Ballybeg, Bauttivant, Co. Cork.
• 2^nd Mill Hollow Starlet by Anaghdown Star, Sire of Dam Blue Henry, Owner and breeders - V. Coulter, Castlederg, Co. Tyrone.
• 3) The Euro2500 Ulster Bank All Ireland Championship final for yearling I.D. colt or gelding
• 1^st Young Carrabawn by Carrabawn View out of Ginger Grace, Owner and breeder - Eddie Murphy, Charlestown, Co. Mayo.
• 2^nd Maurice by Crosstown Dancer out of Moll of Kintara, Breeder - Liam Lynch, Crookstown, Co. Cork.

We are greatly indebted Pat Gleeson and his committee for running this show in such an efficient manner.

Presentation to the Breeder of the King of Diamonds

At recent special function in Cavan Equestrian Centre the breeder of the Kind of Diamonds, Mr. Loftus O'Neil from Slyduff Stud, Co. Carlow was presented with an old painting painted by Pat Magee from Downpartrick. The painting depicted eleven action shots of progeny of the King of Diamonds Including the King of Diamonds himself. Incidentally Loftus arrived at the presentation driving a 1915 Model T. Ford.

Just a Reminder!

Before the covering season starts check the horsebox. Make sure the floor is sound and all lights are working and that the safety chain is in place, this five minute check can often save serious problems and anxiety. It is also advisable to check that your insurance covers drawing a trailer.

Wishing all members of the Irish Draught Horse Society
A very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2003.

Michael Swords Secretary Canvan/Monaghan Branch