Irish
Draught Stallion qualifies for
United States Dressage Federation Regional Championship at Prix St. George
and 4th Level.
"Elegant
Pair"
said German Born Judge Sonja Vracko
5/9/04 Canterbury qualifier Newberry Florida
Giving
O'Leary's Irish Diamond 8s on his extended trot Judge Sonja Vracko commented
the extensions were "elastic and very forward." The Irish Draught
Stallion now competing at what is considered an International level of
Dressage is constantly drawing the attention of Florida Dressage enthusiasts.
With scores of 62 percent and
64 percent the Stallions qualified for any of the USDF's Regional Championships.
He is also on his way to receiving a USDF performance certificate at Prix
St. George. The competition was won by former Olympian Michael Poulin.
However, "Irish" didn't go unnoticed, Poulin approached Irish's
Rider Stephany Fish with an offer to help her in her work with the large
and impressive grey. Fish, said she plans on working with Poulin before
the regional championships. Fish was reserve Champion at 4th level in
2003.
The return of Irish to dressage competition after a year of show jumping
has been a little tougher than expected. Fish has been doing very well
in the last couple of months but admits it took a little time to develop
a trusting partnership with the 10 year old stallion. His owner Jim Leary
admits he mistakingly put the horse in the hands of the wrong trainer
last summer and Irish lost his trust of the person in the saddle. "That
is history and sometimes you think a trainer is right and then you find
out different. It was unfortunate but it happens.
He is back now and that is what is important." "He likes Stephany
and her coach Michael Ippolito. He is a kind horse and kindness brings
out the best in him." Leary added.
Other
Irish Horses do well in Florida Dressage.
Florida dressage enthusiasts also saw the Irish Sport
Horse mare Madison perform her first 1st level class receiving a 62 percent
with Stephany Fish once again the rider. Madison is owned by Joe Mannikko
and Barbara Baris. She is a grand daughter of the Irish Draught Stallion
Glidawn Diamond the sire of O'Leary's Irish Diamond.
Unfortunately for the Irish Draught and the Irish Sport Horse they get little recognition in the US for their ability as dressage and show jumpers. Because of their kindness they seem to attract owners who don't have an understanding and desire to compete in open competition.
Irish also wins second in Florida Hunter Pace.
Before
her Florida Dressage show, Stephany Fish decided that O'Leary's Irish
Diamond needed a break from his dressage work. She entered him in a hunter
pace. Her team, the "HorsePower Team", was made up of 3 people,
Linda Pugh-Petz, Priscilla Baldwin and Stephany. The Palm Beach Hounds
put the pace on at Dupuis Park, a state park. The pace went on for about
2 hours; there were different levels, from no jumping to jumping. The
obstacles included coops, fallen logs, brush, etc. The Horse Power Team
placed 2nd out of several teams in the jumping division. Irish fell into
pace well, and was terrific considering we had a mare leading the team!
And of course they were in the jumping division.
Above Fish
rides Irish for the first time in a show after riding him the first time
only three days earlier. She helped him earn his USDF third level performance
certificate.
O'Leary's
Irish Diamond has now received performance certificates at 1st, 2nd and
3rd level from the United States Dressage Federation.
Unfortunately, capable Irish Draught Horses are not being competed in
the US in the sports of Dressage and Show Jumping. To this date no other
Irish Draughts have come close to getting a performance certificate in
Dressage. Except for one other stallion, no Irish Draughts have seriously
competed in Show Jumping. O'Leary's Irish Diamond in less than six months
of training won Open and Open Modified Show Jumping Championships. 
Above Irish
shows his beautiful canter. At Newberry he received a 7s on his three
tempe and four tempe flying changes and 8s for his extended trots. Because
of his size there was concern early that the judges wouldn't like him.
But he consistently receives 8s on his gaits dispelling any notion that
judges don't like his type. Two years ago Irish qualified for horse of
the year for Irish Horses but the American Draught Society refused to
recognize his accomplishments. The American Society has ignored the stallion
since his owner criticized the society for its policy of approving Stallions
without demanding they be performance tested. In fact the American Society's
whose approved stallions are not recognized in Ireland doesn't even see
a stallion under saddle before approving it for breeding. They claim performance
testing will cause for a loss of bone, substance and mind. A ridiculous
argument, when one realizes O'Leary's Irish Diamond the top performance
Irish Draught in the world has superior bone, size, and temperament. When
he was approved by the Irish Horse Board he not only was the top performer
he was the top in his conformation class.