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Barry G
6th August 2011, 10:14 AM
So you want to know about Irish Draughts. Well look on this forum for a thread written by me entitled "An Irish Huzzy came into my Life".

You'll find a tale of woe of how a man was led astray by the pretty face of a dapple grey ID/Cob cross. Her name is DiDi - and she is the daughter of Molly - a formidable bearer of Fillies from Ireland. Indeed, there is a statue of Molly Malone in Dublin, built to commemorate a stalwart, strong minded lady who is reputed to have sold fish on the market square - along with other services.

DiDi is just 15h1 of crafty, devious, muscular, intelligent, sharp, cunning,wilful, strong minded, athletic, Irish horseflesh. Take care not to become entwined in her mesh. Once caught you'll never escape.

She is fully engaged for the next few weeks practicising for the local area festival dressage competitiion. She's entered at novice level and will be taking on all those snooty warmbloods. She'll give them a run for their euros but maybe a few flounces and a wave of her tail will impress the judges.
We hope so. DiDi is hoping for a rosette.

The Irish like to put about a rumour that the ID is a docile, calm, easy to train and ride hunting horse - but that is only a ruse to entrap a poor Englishman into parting with his hard earned savings. If there is even a whiff of Connemara in the breeding, then you've got a sports horse.

We have it in mind one day to introduce DiDi to a long haired Lusitano lothario from Portugal. Then we might produce a world beater - but what a handful we would have to cope with.

Barry G

rozbug
17th August 2011, 07:33 PM
I hope she does well on the day,an early goodluck to you both:)

Barry G
17th August 2011, 07:47 PM
Roz, On the warm up day last Sunday she came second in the Affil Novice @ 67%. She beat loads of those fancy warmbloods, much to our delight.
But next Sunday is the big day. Can she do it again?

Well she knows how to do it, even without spurs, all we need now is the luck of the Irish.
We shall see.

Barry G
30th August 2011, 09:05 PM
This is my[ Irish Draught

Barry G
8th April 2012, 09:19 PM
WHen looking back over old threads I re read this one.

On the day of the Petplan competition, she came second and qualified for the nationals.
The sad thing is that by the time the Nationals came round the following April, she was in trouble with health issues. We withdrew her from the competition.

With the benefit of hindsight I have come to wonder whether all horses have the mentality to compete. My mare was one of those who reacted badly when put under pressure.

Perhaps my mare isn't the sort?

Equinox
8th April 2012, 11:26 PM
LOL sounds like you got a feisty one on your hands.

I had an ID many many years ago and she was a typical ID but she was a chestnut mare with a white ring round her eyes which here in Ireland is usually enough to put most horse people off. calm, placid, sensible, she once got tangled in barbed wire and wouldn't come down the field even for her food, she stood and waited for me to go find out what was up, she stood rock still till I untangled her, not even a scratch!
She was so quiet you could have put a child on her. But, she was crafty alright, she wouldn't let anyone go catch her, it had to be me. One of my friends was exercising her for me now and then if I was busy at work, she used to spend about 2 hours trying to catch her. She also used to nap and carry on with her as well, but never ever with me. I think IDs need to know you pretty well and trust you.. if you don't have their respect and vice versa then it's all downhill from there.

The other ID I rode was Paddy, he wasn't mine but absolutely huge about 17hh, he qualified for Balmoral and I think he was sold on. I was pretty young when I met him about 12years old I think and I used to potter around on him and he looked after me. But you couldn't point him at any jumps lol.

It's hard to say from your post what the problem/s were/are? but no not all horses are suitable for competitions and forcing them into something they don't enjoy is a pretty pointless exercise for everyone involved. Maybe it's just me, but if my animals don't enjoy something then I don't push them into it.