BALMORAL SHOW 2022
This year’s Ulster Bank Balmoral Show returned to its usual slot in the agricultural calendar, the middle of May. Day 3, 12th May of the jam -packed programme included the Race Horse to Riding Horse Class sponsored by Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association which took place in the Main Area at 4pm. It was great to see the large enthusiast crowd returning.
Yet again, the class attracted great interest in terms of both horse and rider. The guest judges were renowned trainer WP Mullins and retired Champion National Hunt jockey Richard Johnson. The competitive list of entries rightly challenged them in deciding on the runner ups and overall winner. In the end it was Felicity McConnell aboard Easy Pleased who were deemed the first in class. The winner a 4yr old gelding by Mahler out of Hard to Please, bred by Brendan Nolan has certainly found a new career and passion.
Commenting on the competitive class one of the guest judges Richard Johnson, who had the task to ride all of the horses said “Its wonderful to these horses developing a second career after racing, adding it was great initiative” Commenting, Kerry Ryan said “ITBA has proudly sponsored this class since 2017 as part of its welfare initiative. It’s wonderful to see retired racehorses being given a second career and for them to be so clearly enthused about rising to the challenge and enjoying the opportunity awarded to them”
#lifeafterracing #thorougbredwelfare #workingforirishbreeders