A warrior of the Irish Sport Horse (ISH) breeding scene, Tom Moloney of Warrington, Co Kilkenny took the Outstanding Contribution trophy at this week’s Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Breeding Awards during the Horse Board AGM in Abbeyleix.

Supported by his wife Ann, the couple gradually diversified their farm outside Kilkenny city from livestock to a thriving equestrian enterprise. They not only bred a host of international horses but their family of four, Tom, Ellie, Eddie and Richie all excelled by riding these home products. Tom, Ellie and Richie all won junior European team medals and Richie is now one of Ireland’s top internationals.

Out of Tom senior’s first Errigal mare was bred a Guinness Book Of Records-acclaimed five internationals. Among them Eddie Macken’s star Carrolls Flight and the stallion Top Flight that Tom junior rode to junior team bronze in 1987.

Tom and Ann also created the riding nursery Warrington Top Flight Equestrian Centre.

The award for breeder of the highest placed ISH at this year’s World Young Horse Jumping Championships in Lanaken also went to Kilkenny as Eamonn Murphy of Thomastown was honoured for Columbcille Gipsy who took gold in the six-year-old final with Ger O’Neill. She was bred through embryo transfer by Toulon out of the Dutch mare Gipsy III.

Elite eventers

The award for highest placed Irish-bred at the Eventing Young Horse Championships in Le Lion d’Angers went to Mary McCarthy of Innishannon for Direct Cassino by Kedrah House’s Belgian sire Cassino and out of a Ceredigion mare. Ridden by Britain’s Izzy Taylor he took the seven-year-old silver medal.

Our highest placed Irish-bred in the World Eventing Rankings was, Blenheim three-star winner, Cooley Cross Border by Diamond Roller. This award went to Johnny Duffy from Dundalk who bred this good performer out of an Osilvis(KWPN) dam.

He was ridden to many good placings during the season by USA’s Kim Severson. By finishing eighth overall in the rankings he helped Ireland win the eventing breeding championship for the 22nd time in its 24 year history.

RDS Supreme Irish Draught (ID) Mare Champion, Strictly Come Bouncing by Moylough Bouncer out of a Glenagyle Rebel dam earned the top ID Showing Mare award for Mayo sheep and cattle farmer Sean Ruane.

The best Irish Draught Horse for 2017 was RDS performance champion Gortfree Lakeside Lad by Gortfree Hero out of a Ginger Dick dam and was bred by Sean Barker in Tourmakeady.

The Young Breeder award went to David Browne of Castledermot. Breeder of the best Irish pony was Barry Connaire of Athenry for Clive Swindell’s European gold and silver winner with Kate Derwin Cul Ban Mistress by Silver Shadow out of a Dunloughan Lad dam.