Latest news with #Connemaras
Belfast Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Show-jumping takes centre stage with £45,000 prize pot at stake on day two of Balmoral Show
The dust from Balmoral's busy first day didn't settle for long before streams of people from across the country parked their trucks and tractors for day two of the agricultural gala. The sun also returned to the 65-acre Sprucefield site, with an array of the latest machines on display as thousands flocked to the fair. Each day is different at Balmoral, with horned goats, side saddle riding and a parade of winning pigs making their debut today. The highlight of the day for many is the International Showjumping Spectacular, which features six competitors from across the globe battling to take home a prize fund of over £45,000. Thursday is also billed as 'Connemara day', according to Co Down horse enthusiast Joanne Hunter. She was intently gazing towards an empty horse ring as she waited patiently for her favourite event of the show to begin. Joanne explained how the national Connemara championships draw huge crowds from across the island and particularly from the west coast – where the breed originates – to view the annual spectacle. She said: 'Thursday is Connemara Day. There are in-hand classes, which were earlier on this morning, then there's ridden classes, and then in the afternoon there are jumping classes, all with Connemaras. As a Connemara breeder, that's why I love it. 'It's just such a huge event and it's such a gorgeous day. It's very well-run, and it's just lovely. It's very prestigious, everybody wants to win at Balmoral.' At the cattle rings, furrow-browed and sharp-eyed youths from the Young Farmers Club of Ulster cut their teeth as judges in the livestock breeding competitions. While the larger bulls dominated the first day, such as the mammoth Aberdeen Angus, dairy cow breeders get their shot to show off their cattle's pristine signature black and white coats. Watching proudly from the fences was Glen McCollough whose granddaughter was among the judges in the dairy cow rounds. Despite not having participated 'for donkeys' years', Glen is a former judge and explained how his granddaughter and her peers are tasked to inspect each cow from head to hoof. 'My granddaughter, she's out there judging,' the Co Down calf farmer said. 'I'm good at judging. They have to pick first, second, third and fourth and put them in order. What they think are the best, straight down to the worst." Eimear and Gavin Campbell are attending the Balmoral Show for the first time in several years. The Co Armagh couple explained how the event has got 'a lot bigger' since their last visit. "I haven't really been around very much. There's a lot to look at,' Eimear said. 'It seems to have grown a lot. I actually got lost a few times.'
Belfast Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Thousands more flock to Balmoral for day two with crowds enjoying show jumping in the sunshine
The dust from Balmoral's busy first day didn't settle for long before streams of people from across the country parked their trucks and tractors for day two of the agricultural gala. The sun also returned to the 65-acre Sprucefield site, with an array of the latest machines on display as thousands flocked to the fair. Each day is different at Balmoral, with horned goats, side saddle riding and a parade of winning pigs making their debut today. The highlight of the day for many is the International Showjumping Spectacular, which features six competitors from across the globe battling to take home a prize fund of over £45,000. Thursday is also billed as 'Connemara day', according to Co Down horse enthusiast Joanne Hunter. She was intently gazing towards an empty horse ring as she waited patiently for her favourite event of the show to begin. Joanne explained how the national Connemara championships draw huge crowds from across the island and particularly from the west coast – where the breed originates – to view the annual spectacle. She said: 'Thursday is Connemara Day. There are in-hand classes, which were earlier on this morning, then there's ridden classes, and then in the afternoon there are jumping classes, all with Connemaras. As a Connemara breeder, that's why I love it. 'It's just such a huge event and it's such a gorgeous day. It's very well-run, and it's just lovely. It's very prestigious, everybody wants to win at Balmoral.' At the cattle rings, furrow-browed and sharp-eyed youths from the Young Farmers Club of Ulster cut their teeth as judges in the livestock breeding competitions. While the larger bulls dominated the first day, such as the mammoth Aberdeen Angus, dairy cow breeders get their shot to show off their cattle's pristine signature black and white coats. Watching proudly from the fences was Glen McCollough whose granddaughter was among the judges in the dairy cow rounds. Despite not having participated 'for donkeys' years', Glen is a former judge and explained how his granddaughter and her peers are tasked to inspect each cow from head to hoof. 'My granddaughter, she's out there judging,' the Co Down calf farmer said. 'I'm good at judging. They have to pick first, second, third and fourth and put them in order. What they think are the best, straight down to the worst." Eimear and Gavin Campbell are attending the Balmoral Show for the first time in several years. The Co Armagh couple explained how the event has got 'a lot bigger' since their last visit. "I haven't really been around very much. There's a lot to look at,' Eimear said. 'It seems to have grown a lot. I actually got lost a few times.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Smuggled horses now in Norfolk after 'horrific' journey
Five smuggled horses have died with others recuperating at a Norfolk farm after being transported in "horrific conditions". Twenty horses travelling on illegal transport to the country from Ireland have been rescued and taken to a World Horse Welfare site at Hall Farm in Snetterton. It is believed the horses were to be fattened and slaughtered - despite the ban on live exports that has been in place since May 2024. Five horses were euthanised after being found due to ill health (Image: World Horse Welfare) The animals were found "crammed" into an unsuitable lorry at Dover despite being "too weak and sick to travel" - with foals left covered in their own faeces with matted fur. Included among the smuggled horses were Irish thoroughbreds, Connemaras and leisure ponies alongside other animals that were being moved legally. One foal was left unable to get back up on his feet which led Dover port officials to redirect the vehicle to a holding yard for inspection. Five of the Irish thoroughbreds were euthanised following health and welfare assessments. Pony in a stable at the holding yard who was suffering from a bacterial skin infection affecting most of his body and legs (Image: World Horse Welfare)World Horse Welfare field officer, Rebecca Carter, said: 'At the holding facility I was faced with a heartbreaking scene. "The equines were so still and quiet and appeared shell-shocked from their ordeal. "A number of the horses were underweight and had strangles, a highly contagious bacterial and potentially fatal infection. 'It's not just the health of these horses which was put at risk, there's a bigger issue here in that these horses were carrying highly contagious diseases and therefore a biosecurity threat to all those they came in contact with.' Eight of the horses were taken in by World Horse Welfare and are currently recovering at the site in Snetterton. The other seven horses - who were in better health - were claimed by new owners.
