NEWS

Joanne Fox

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This week we are remembering two great equestrian friends of Ireland: General Raimondo d’Inzeo of Italy and British judge and breeder Archie Smith Maxwell.

Olympic and world champion Raimondo achieved a great number of his successes on Irish-breds like Gowran Girl and Bellvue. He was a regular competitor at Dublin and was on hand when Bellvue was retired there to his final home with Iris Kellett at Kill. Whether here in Ireland or abroad, Raimondo was always happy to meet up with his many Irish friends for a chat and he was a joy to be around.

Archie Smith Maxwell also made many visits to Ireland, both as a judge and a buyer of Irish-breds. He officiated on many occasions in hunter competitions and also Irish Draught classes at the RDS.

A good friend of his, Billy Cotter of Enniskeane notes that he was a very fair and knowledgeable judge and that he was also instrumental in the foundation of the Irish Draught Horse Society in Britain. One of the many great horses that he bred was Jumbo, who sired two Burghley winners and is ranked fourth in the world listing of Sport Horse stallions.