Mother of all sport horses

Irish Draught: Its quality and presence is there for all to see, in dressage competition, in three-day eventing, on the hunting field, in driving and most spectacularly in the show jumping arenas of the world.

For too long the Cinderella of the Irish horse world, that most amiable of equines, the Irish Draught paid a price for its versatility, for being able to "plough, sow, reap and mow, go to church and hunt".

When crossbred with the Thoroughbred horse, the Draught's natural strength, size, jumping ability and deceptive lightness of step acquire an injection of speed thus creating the famous Irish sport horse, many of which have become world class athletes.

The pure Irish Draught has many claims to greatness. An increasing awareness of its worth is keeping a horse, that was once a type and is now a recognised breed, alive and flourishing with 300 competing at the annual Irish Draught show at Ennis last week.

There was no shortage of interest in the Irish Draught classes yesterday at the Royal Dublin Society. And spectators gathered, stayed and enthused.

First into the blazing sunshine of Ring 1 were registered Irish Draught mares with or without foals at foot.

Chantal Deon, who arrived in Ireland more than 30 years ago from France, became drawn to the Irish Draught and has been breeding quality ever since, won with Guraun My Way, a daughter of Brehan's Pride. The grey mare, who at four, is still very young, comes from a line of champions, appeared to view the competition as something that simply occurred in the course of an average day's stroll.

Her foal, Guraun Keep Away, foaled by Carrabawn View, is a chestnut colt with the manners of a prince.

He followed mother at a discreet distance and later showed the way as the pair walked around the ring.

His independence and self assurance certainly impressed the judges, and he later won the class for colt foals sired by registered Irish Draught Stallions. Mother and son, both wearing red ribbons, were polite in victory, a well-mannered pair for sure with junior also taking reserve foal champion.

The next class was more competitive, and open to Registered Irish Draught Mares of five years or older, with foal at foot or in foal to an approved stallion. This proved an intriguing competition on several counts.

While the first ten mares were well matched in quality, showcasing the modern Irish Draught as a finer, more athletic horse, a couple of the other competitors deferred more to the smaller, traditional, old style draught.

Flagmount Gold, a small bay, aged 15 years, looked a sweet mare, kind but ordinary enough. Her filly foal, Anjo Forn Diamond, however, is a beauty and duly won the class for progeny of non Irish Draught stallions.

Top of the filly foals sired by registered Irish Draught stallions, came Rosetown Annie's Dreamtime Mayfie, a tall roan filly already graced by athleticism and curiosity. She also took the championship.

The future of the Irish Draught lies with these wonderful brood mares, particularly the pure-bred mares.

Custodians of the breed hope to keep breeding focused on the pure Draught. Yesterday was a triumph. More was to come.

Onlookers gasped as the Irish Draught stallion class heralded the arrival of the four entrants, three fine greys and one superstar - the majestic Crosstown Dancer, a 13 year old liver chestnut who yesterday looked to be dark brown and super fit.

Absolutely magnificent on all counts, he moved like a dancer, looked like a king and knew it. What an advertisement for the Irish Draught, what an advertisement for the Irish horse.

Anyone wishing more information can contact the Irish Draught Society 044-61199.