Hall of Fame for Darragh

By Michael Slavin

The 2003 Show Jumping Hall of Fame has been awarded to international star Paul Darragh. A packed gathering at the Riders Show Jumping Ball in the City West Hotel gave him a standing ovation as his career of 30 years was honoured.

It began with both team and individual Junior European Medals but soon earned promotion to the senior side.

With Eddie Macken, Con Power and James Kernan, he was part of the brilliant three-in-a-row Aga Khan team of '77, '78 and '79.

Near the end of his run he came back in 1997 to help take the Cup again on one of HRH Princess Haya of Jordan's horses.

On Sunday night last in a televised link-up, the princess paid tribute to the 85 international wins scored during the period he rode for her team. During his 30 years in top competition he took the Hickstead Derby, qualified for the World Cup, scored Puissance wins, won the RDS Grand Prix and, at one point, he and the great P.J. Carroll were the world's most powerful speed combination with over 100 firsts to their credit at places like Hickstead, Aachen and Dublin.

It is good that this man's contribution to the sport is now permanently recorded in this Hall of Fame.

Other awards went to Ryan Crumley (Rookie of the Year); Edward Simpson (Owner of the Year for Zara's Pride, who won the Kerrygold League for Peter Smyth).

Gerry Corlis of Galway got the Amateur of the Year trophy while King's Cup winner Kevin Babbington was declared International Show Jumper of the Year. Other awards went to Indoor Champion Conor Swail; our pony team that won the European Bronze Medal and to Groom of the Year Veronica Sheehan from Askeaton.

Sponsoring the awards were Cavan Equestrian Centre and Brooklands Bedding of Belling. This was the seventh year of the this very successful function. For six years it was headed up by Barry O'Connor and his team.

For 2003 it was run for the first time by the Riders Club under Brendan McArdle and Maureen Bagnall, with the proceeds going to the Maria Keating Cancer Foundation. The Riders Club is promising an even bigger bash in 2004.