IN PICTURES: Record entries for Co. Londonderry Horse Breeding Society’s 57th Clydesdale Foal Show

Held at Ballymena Livestock Market on December 13, the task of judging this year’s show was given to Terry Edge of Wrexham, Wales.

A record entry was received with 30 horses, ten seniors and 20 foals – a credit to all who exhibited.

The Overall Champion went to the Senior Champion, Cloghan Maisie, a yearling filly from Geoffrey and Lesley Tanner. This filly was bred by George Smith, Limavady, she is by Doura Aird Ambition and Cloghan Jodie.

Reserve Overall Champion and Foal Champion went to the senior colt foal Collessie Mandate from Arnold Hutchinson, Moneymore. This colt was on his first outing in Northern Ireland since being purchased from breeder RH Black, Collessie, Scotland. He is by Collessie Monarch and Collessie Selena Anne.

Reserve Foal Champion and Best Bred by Exhibitor went to the Junior colt foal Ballaney Captain Dynamite, from the Taggart family, Armoy. He is sired by Eskechraggan Ernest with his dam being Ballaney Lucky Diamond.

Reserve Senior Champion went to the second prize yearling filly, Cloghan Jolene from Freddie Lyle, Larne. She is by Doura Aird Ambition with her dam being Cloghan Orange Lily.

The well supported Young Handlers class (11 entries) was won by Finn Todd (Downhill), with second place going to Jessica Hanna (Macfin) and third place going to Matthew Patton (Masteragwee). Ruby Blackwood from Craigavon qualified for the CHS Young Handlers Championship at the Royal Highland Show 2026.

The Foal Show class results:

Class 1: Mare 3 Year Old & Upwards – 1, Agivey First Hope (Roeshall Apollo) David Patterson.

Class 2: 2 Year Old Filly – 1, Hillview Amazing Grace (Glebeview Lucky Boy) D & R Ryan; 2, Cloghan Bonnie Katie (Doura Aird Ambition) Matthew Patton.

Class 3: 1 Year Old Colt/Gelding – 1, Hallmark Maverick (Dillars Top Maverick) William Hall.

Class 4: 1 Year Old Filly – 1, Cloghan Maisie (Doura Aird Ambition) G & L Tanner; 2, Cloghan Jolene (Doura Aird Ambition) Freddie Lyle; 3, Castletown Carla (Doura Aird Ambition) John Cross; 4, Coveys Emma (Dillars Top Maverick) Eddie Murtagh; 5, Rosegift Alana (Rosegift Gucci) Gemma Edgar; 6, Stoneyfalls Eday (Bratlach Arclid Duke of Edinburgh) Lisa Dixon.

Class 5: Senior Colt Foal – 1, Collessie Mandate (Collessie Monarch) Arnold Hutchinson; 2, Carnaff High Flyer (Carnaff Trueform) Messrs. McKay; 3, Macfin Apprentice (Rosegift Gucci) Messrs. Hanna; 4, Ballaney Lewi Boy (Eskechraggan Ernest) Taggart Family; 5. Freehall Master Tom (Eskechraggan Ernest) V & R Scott.

Class 6: Senior Filly Foal – 1, Rosegift Evie (Rosegift Gucci) Pat O’Boyle; 2, Downhill Sunshine (Eskechraggan Ernest) G & L Tanner; 3, Cloghan Sheena (Agivey Drumgiven Landmark) David Patterson; 4, Ballyoglagh Tilly (Eskechraggan Ernest) D & M Simpson; 5, Churchill Eliza (Carnaff Trueform) James Irwin; 6, Lagavar Maggie (Doura Aird Ambition) Colin Brown

Class 7: Junior Colt Foal – 1, Ballaney Captain Dynamite (Eskechraggan Ernest) Taggart Family; 2, Bratlach Woody (Bratlach Arclid Duke of Edinburgh) John Drummond; 3, Bratlach Monty (Bratlach Arclid Duke of Edinburgh) John Drummond; 4, Parkstown Diamond (Agivey Drumgiven Landmark) David Patterson; 5, Glebeview Angus (Roeshall Apollo) V & R Scott; 6. Bencannon Master (Roeshall Apollo) Jennifer Reid; 7, Stoneyfalls Thorn (Bratlach Arclid Duke of Edinburgh) Hugh Callwell; 8. Stoneyfalls Frank (Bratlach Arclid Duke of Edinbugh) Chris Dixon 9 th Hillview Texas New Dawn (Roeshall Apollo) Kevin McGovern.

Class 8: Junior Filly Foal – no entries.

Class 9: Young Handlers (11 Entries) – 1, Finn Todd; 2, Jessica Hanna; 3, Matthew Patton.

OTHER WINNERS:

CHS Qualifier: Ruby Blackwood. Overall Champion - Cloghan Maisie (G & L Tanner). Reserve Overall Champion - Collessie Mandate (Arnold Hutchinson). Opp. Sex to Overall Champion - Collessie Mandate (Arnold Hutchinson). Senior Champion - Cloghan Maisie (G & L Tanner). Reserve Senior Champion - Cloghan Jolene (Freddie Lyle).

Foal Champion - Collessie Mandate (Arnold Hutchinson). Reserve Foal Champion - Ballaney Captain Dynamite (Taggart Family). Best Foal Bred in Ireland - Ballaney Captain Dynamite (Taggart Family). Best Foal Bred by Exhibitor - Ballaney Captain Dynamite (Taggart Family). Best Presented Animal - Cloghan Maisie (G & L Tanner). Best Young Handler - Finn Todd (Downhill).

CLHBS RAFFLE WINNERS 2025

1, (£100) Fred Hanna; 2, (£75) Joanne Scott; 3, (£50) Katie Milligan; 4, (£25) Margaret Crooks; 5, (£25) Kiera Millar.

This year the CLHBS have supported Simon Osborne Air Ambulance NI and would like to thank everyone who bought tickets – the raffle was a complete sell out.

The Society is indebted to all the show sponsors: Chestnutt Animas Feeds, SH Coleman, Millburn Vets, Steele Farm Supplies, Armoy Livestock Market, The Clydesdale Horse Society, Jervis Nutt Esq., Kenneth Irwin (Bluegrass Horse Feeds), Wendy Holmes (Bratwell Clydesdales) and to all the CLHBS members who annually contribute towards special prizes down through the classes.

The Co. Londonderry Horse Breeding Society would like to thank J.A. McClelland & Sons (Ballymena Livestock Market) for the use of their first class facilities and Jim Beggs for all his help before and after the show, and the ladies in the Ringside Cafe.

The Foal Show Social Night was another massive success, enjoyed by many CLHBS members, family, friends and overseas visitors, thanks go to Craig Black and staff of the Bush Tavern for their hospitality over the weekend.

The CLHBS would like to wish all their members and supporters a Merry Christmas

and all the best for 2026!